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From Heaven With Love
“If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth
the light of this world.” The light of God’s guiding Spirit gives him a
clear perception of his duty and leads him till the close of his work.
“But if any man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is
no light in him.” He who walks in a path of his own choosing will
stumble. Wherever he may be, he is not secure.
“These things said He; and after that He saith unto them, Our
friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”
In the thought of the peril their Master was about to incur by going
to Jerusalem, the disciples had almost forgotten the bereaved family
at Bethany. But not so Christ. The disciples had been tempted to
think Jesus had not the tender love for Lazarus and his sisters that
they thought He had. But the words, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth,”
awakened right feelings in their minds. Christ had not forgotten His
suffering friends.
“Then said His disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had
spoken of taking of rest in sleep.” Christ represents death as a sleep
to His believing children. Their life is hid with Christ in God, and
until the last trump shall sound those who die will sleep in Him. See
1 Corinthians 15:51-54
.
“Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am
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glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe;
nevertheless let us go unto him.”
The disciples marveled at Christ’s words when He said, “Lazarus
is dead. And I am glad ... that I was not there.” Did the Saviour
by His own choice avoid the home of His suffering friends? But
Christ beheld the whole scene, and the bereaved sisters were upheld
by His grace. Jesus witnessed the sorrow of their rent hearts as
their brother wrestled with death. But Christ had not only the loved
ones at Bethany to think of; He had the training of His disciples to
consider. They were to be His representatives to the world. For their
sake He permitted Lazarus to die. Had He restored him from illness
to health, the miracle that is the most positive evidence of His divine
character would not have been performed.
Had Christ been in the sickroom, death could not have aimed his
dart at Lazarus. Therefore Christ remained away. He permitted the
suffering sisters to see their brother laid in the grave. He suffered