John 11:15-21 - Homilies By B. Thomas

Good in apparent evil.

Notice—

I. THAT ALL THE MOVEMENTS OF CHRIST ON EARTH HAD AN IMMEDIATE REGARD TO OTHERS .

1. His life on earth was purely vicarious . "For your sakes." Not only his death was vicarious, but his life was equally so. Not only he died for others, but he lived for them as well. His vicarious death was only the natural outcome of his vicarious life. All his movements, his actions, his miracles, his teaching and utterances, the fact and sum of his life, were for others—for mankind generally and for his disciples particularly. "For your sakes."

2. His life on earth was purely self-sacrificing . "For your sakes." He sacrificed every personal feeling, convenience, and consideration for the advantage of others. Had he consulted his own personal feelings—feelings of the tenderest affection and the sincerest friendship—friendship for the dying and the living—nothing would have kept him away from the death-bed of his beloved friend at Bethany; but these tenderest feelings of personal friendship he sacrificed for the sake of others. For their sakes he was not there. This was the great and grand principle of his whole life.

3. The vicariousness and self-sacrifice of his life were to him the sources of the greatest pleasure . "I am glad," etc. He found his highest joy in doing good to his fellow-men, and the greatest delight of his life was spending it for the advantage of others. In benefiting them even his own pain was turned into pleasure, his sorrow into joy, and the greatest self-sacrifice afforded him the greatest satisfaction.

4. His life on earth was one of untiring activity . Nevertheless, let us go unto him. His time for sorrow and joy was very limited. His was to act.

II. THAT ALL THE MOVEMENTS OF CHRIST ON EARTH HAD A SPECIAL REGARD TO THE GREATEST GOOD OF OTHERS . "To the intent that ye may believe."

1. Whatever he did was done with a definite purpose . "To the intent." He had one great and special aim through life. In every movement and act and utterance of his there was a definite purpose, and he kept this ever in view. It was the inspiration and guide of his movements. In all his various and busy activities there was not a single random shot; but he ever took a definite aim, on which his whole being centered. This is one of the secrets of his ultimate success.

2. Whatever he did was done for the best and highest purpose . In relation to his own mission and the salvation of the world. "That ye may believe." This implies:

3. Whatever he did was done in the best way to effect the highest purpose . His absence from Bethany served the interest of faith far better than his presence would have done. This implies:

4. The confirmation of faith in the disciples produced in Jesus the greatest joy .

III. WHAT PRODUCES REGRET AND SORROW IN US OFTEN PRODUCES GLADNESS IN JESUS . His absence caused sorrow to the sisters, but joy to him. The same event producing different feelings in different persons, as illustrated in Jesus and the sisters, and why?

1. Jesus could see the intention of his absence; the sisters could not,

2. Jesus could see the ultimate result of his absence; they could not . Jesus could see the restoration of his friend, the display of Divine power, the triumph of faith, and the glory of God. This produced in him gladness. The sisters could not see this, and they were sad.

3. Jesus could see the gain of faith by the death of Lazarus to be immeasurably greater than the loss of the family . They could not see this as yet.

LESSONS .

1. When the claims of personal feelings come in collision with those of public good, the former are to give way at any cost, and give way with joy .

2. In the strange dealings of Providence we should try to learn the Divine intention; that is our good .

3. This is difficult, if not impossible, often to realize . Therefore let us trust and wall.

4. In the light of results all will be plain and joyful . Jesus was glad in Peraea, while the sisters were sad in Bethany; but at the resurrection they could join with Jesus in the song of triumph and the anthem of life. "All is well that ends well."—B.T.