Robert Murray McCheyne’s sermon from John 11:1-46 entitled, “Bethany: The sickness, death, resurrection of Lazarus,” has rich gospel truths which confronts unbelief and encourages us to carry all things to Christ.
1) Martha’s presumption. “If You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
How did she know this? What promise of the Bible could she name upon which this expectation was grounded? God had promised that his own shall never want bread nor any good thing; that he will supply all their need, that they shall never perish, that he will be with them in time of trouble; but nowhere has he promised that they shall not die. On the contrary, “Israel must die.” David prays: “Make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days.” And Job: “I would not live alway.”
2) Her limiting of Christ: “If You had been here.”
Why so? Am I a God at hand, and not afar off? “Is my hand shortened at all, and have I no power to redeem?” She forgot the centurion of Capernaum: “I am not worthy that You should come under my roof, but speak the word only” (Matthew 8:8). She forgot the nobleman’s son at Capernaum: “Sir, come down, ere my child die.” “Go your way, you son lives” (John 4:50). Her grief and anguish kept her from calmly remembering the works and power of Jesus.
3) Her unbelief: “But I know that even now.” This was faith, and yet unbelief. She believed something, but not all, concerning Jesus. She believed in him as an advocate and intercessor, but not that all things were given into his hands, that he is Lord of all, head over all things to the Church. Her grief, and confusion, and darkness, hid many things from her.
4) And yet she came to Jesus. Though grieved, she was not offended; she did not keep away from him. She poured out all her grief, her darkness, and complaint, into his bosom. This is just the picture of a weak believer: much of nature and little grace, many questionings of Christ’s love and power, and yet carrying your complaints only to him. It was not to the Jews Martha told her grief, it was not to the disciples, it was to Jesus himself.
Learn that afflicting time is trying time. Affliction is like the furnace, it discovers the dross as well as the gold. Had all things gone on smoothly at Bethany, Martha and Mary had never known their sin and weakness; but now the furnace brought out the dross.
Learn to guard against unbelief. Guard against presumption, making a Bible-promise for yourself, and leaning upon a word God has never spoken. Guard against prescribing your way to Christ, and limiting him in his dealings. Guard against unbelief, believing only part of God’s testimony. “O foolish, and slow of heart to believe all that God has spoken.” Remember, whatever your darkness may be, to carry your complaint to Jesus himself.
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