The National tribune., 1886-07-08
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Prarsiesl Duties Tassht m a study Of the Inter
national Sanday School Lessoa appointed 70
July IS. ST. John, II :f-I6.

indicated above.l
We are now TO consider our Savior's 30th
miracle. Twice before he raised to life the
dead. viz, the son % the widow Of Main and
the daughter of Jairus at Capernaum. The
case we study this week is the calling up from
his grave of Lazarus. This happened in the
month of January. A. ID. %, near the village Of
Bethany, an unwalled town, and about two
miles from Jerusalem, the 8It. Of Olives inter
vening.
Lazarus had two sisters-SIary and Martha.
il seems our Savior was frequent visitor at
the home Of these three. Ecclesiastical history
states Lazarus was about 30 years old at the
time OF the ascension Of Christ and that he
lived 30 years after that event. He was dear
friend 10 Christ and 70 his Disciples. He seems
TO have been younger than his sisters. it is
thought Martha was eldest Of the three.
Mary is first mentioned (V. IL because perhaps
she WAS most known az that time, but speci-
ally because afterward she became famous for
having amounted Christ Though the annOint-
ing was after the resurrection OF Lazarus, vet
it was before st. John wrote his account and so
doubtless influenced his mind in arranging the
order Of the names. The father Of the three
was probably Simon Of 12:1-7. Some, how
ever, hold Simon was husband to one OF the
sisters. The mother was probably deceased.
Only St, John gives account Of this miracle.
Why did not SITS. Matthew, Mark and Luke
report it2 The following reason may be given:
The writers of the first three Gospels wrote
while Lazarus was still alive and may have
thought that reference 20 his resurrection might
revive opposition to Lazarus aud lead to perse-
cution, and possibly to his death. %. 10, H.
But why Stay man who had once risen from the
dead :? They probably might think he wOnld
not be again restored from the grave should
they kill him. And Christ soon agterward
assembled, and could not. they might say, raise
him from the dead.
At the time of the sickness and death of
lazarus, Christ and his Disciples we're az Beth
abara, village northeast from Jerusalem, and
distant about 30 miles. 1t was on The east side
Of the Jordan, and 50 in Peres. 10: 40. Com
pare / :23.)
The sixth verse states Christ delayed going
TO Bethany for two days after he learned Of the
sickness Of Lazarus. 1t would require one day
FOR messenger to 20 to BeIhabara Then add
the two days during which Christ remained
after getting the news, add day for Christ
to 90 20 Bethany, and we have four days.
Lazarus probably died soon after the messenger
left Bethany to 90 to Christ. Then the Jews
buried on the day Of the decease. Now we IN
derstand why in verses II and 80 we have four
days. We know the Jews inferred corpses
| within a few hours Of death. The climate was
very warm. Probably this fact may account
for the origin in the East Of the art Of embalm-
/ ing. Lazarus WAS doubtless dead when the
/ fourth verse was uttered. Some think verse ~
/ points more accurately to the moment Of his
departure from life. But IL Lazarus died 20 soon,
I why did not Christ 90 at once TO Bethany l.
/ Perhaps lie would avoid the three days Of
! mourning with which he was not pleased.
/ Matt, 9;23. 2t) 2. But his principal reason
/ for delay was to render the miracle Of the res
I direction the more wonderfnl-the less ques-
/ tionable.
On verse 8 see ga. The Jews divided their
! days into u equal parts. Ones life may be
! styled his day; his death. night. Zee, 9: TO-
! Verse refers to Chusts death. Jesus, by
omniscience, knew how he was to live and well
| understood the fact that he would be able TO 20
to Bethany, Notwithstanding his enemies.
/ With pre5clence he need not be so prudent as
a nero man. tie could look al his life mission
from a different standpoint than could any
mortal.
Verses Is and II show death spoken Of a. 9
/ sleep. Compare Matt "a; Acts 7 co;
Cor. Is: Is, 20; tn, A: Ia; 5:1O.l We ars
immortals, aud there is really no such thing a
death as to us. Sleep IS also beautiful euphe
mism for death.
y Apostles. Only one, however, is mentioned
by name to wit, Thomas, famous for distrust-
1 tho skeptical Disciple. Verse Is represents hin
4 in kind Of petulant mood. Well ne says
If Christ will 20 up aud be killed, let as al
20 and meet the same fate" His object was z
check his fellOw-diseiples rather than TO in
spire.
In verse Is Christ plainly declares he wa.
glad he did not happen TO be in Bethany dur
ing the sickness and at the time Of the death o
Lazarus. He had several reasons for so feeling
lie mentions one, viz, the increase Of the faitI
Of his Disciples. To have checked his sickness
would have been some aid 10 their faith. +,
have saved him from death at It's last struggl,
would have been greater stimulus to thei
confidence in Christ. To have raised him from
death just before burial would have been
great feat But 20 go TO the grave after tht
body had been buried four days and call th,
man up from the tomb was so wonderful thai
no room was left for anything but perfect trust
So much as 20 the II Disciples. We may say
the same Of the Jews who witnessed the mir
aele. And what a blessing the account he
been to the world during all these ages w
are all glad Christ was not at Bethany unit
Lazarus had been dead four days.
We notice the second verse is in parenthesis
as forming no part Of the account proper w,
would think in reading that the amounting
referred TO occurred before our lesson. It Iii,
not however, until three months afterward
and indeed was probably largely due to tn
miracle.
Why did the sisters send for Christi (y. 9.
We have the explanation in verse 81. It seem
they were conscious of his power and believed
that if he were present he would restore thei
/ DrOtner 70 heaitn. Their confidence in hi
willingness to come was based on their knoWl
edge Of the tender friendship existing between
Christ and Lazarus. They use no argument
They believed that all which was necessar,
was for Christ 70 know their brother was III
Where one loves all he needs is to know.
The sickness of Lazarus was not unto dealt
in the sense in which our friends die tV. A.
lie was 90 soon 20 come to life that one cOuli
all but say he did not die. At the same tim
the death was as real as any death, total sus
, pension OF life, the beginning Of decOmposi
ton, the separation of soul and body.
We see how God may be gl0rifed even b
what seems adverse. 1t was important on
! Sayi0Fs deity should become established w
can see how Christ would be magnified if h
should raise to life one admitted to be dead
We can see what glory has redounded 10 Go
through this miracle. To this very day it
one OF the evidences Of Christianity, ono Z
the grand proofs Christ came from Heaven
! comfort TO every dying bed, consolation {
every mourning home.
, Evidently our Savior had a peculiar regar
for the family at Bethany. ". 81 He fre
quented their home. They knew much of hin
He impaired much to them. Though we hav
great regard for every human being, still W
. can have center for affection, a headquartei
j for love, circle Of peculiarly dear friend
Christ seemed specially attached to st. JohI
IL IS not inconsistent with universal love
, have more familiarity with some than wit
! others.
1t would seem verse II is advanced as an a.
gument to persuade Christ TO abandon th
! thought OF returning to the neighborhood
u -