John 11:1-6

Until John, we have been using older manuscripts of Ryle's Expository Thoughts. Just recently, though, EP Publishing has put out a lightly updated version of Ryle's work, which I am now working from. If you are interested in a physical copy of the Expository Thoughts, you can find it HERE.

John 11:1-6

1. True Christians may be sick and ill as well as others.
2. Jesus Christ is the Christian’s best Friend in time of need.
3. Christ loves all who are true Christians.
4. Christ knows best at what time to do anything for His people.

"But sickness, we must always remember, is no sign that God is displeased with us. Rather, it is generally sent for the good of our souls. It tends to draw our affections away from this world and to direct them to things above. It sends us to our Bibles and teaches us to pray better. It helps to prove our faith and patience, and shows us the real value of our hope in Christ."

"Like afflicted Job, our first action must be to fall on our knees and worship. Like Hezekiah, we must spread our matter before the Lord. Like the holy sisters at Bethany, we must send up a prayer to Christ. Let us not forget, in the hurry and excitement of our feelings, that none can help like Him and that He is merciful, loving and gracious."

"Admitting fully that the foundations of Christian character are always the same and that all God’s children repent, believe, are holy, prayerful and Scripture-loving, we must make allowances for wide varieties in their temperaments and habits of mind. We must not undervalue others because they are not exactly like ourselves."

"The highest degree of faith is to be able to wait, sit still and not complain."

Questions:

1. We learn that although Jesus, for whom no disease was beyond his healing touch, who knew this family well and loved them, allowed Lazarus to get sick and die. Ryle points out that sickness is a means God uses for the good of our souls: to draw us away from the world and to Him. When we get sick, how do we respond? Do we doubt God's love, or do we seek God and His purpose for it?
2. We see that Mary and Martha send a simple message to Jesus, "Lord, the one whom you love is ill." Ryle points out that while we should seek medical help in times of illness, we should first remember that the best and ablest and wisest Helper is in heaven at God's right hand! When sick, how quick are we to be like Job and fall on our knees and worship; like Hezekiah who spread the matter before the Lord; and like these sisters?
3. We learn that Jesus loves all true Christians. Ryle points out that, though all equally loved, each vary in character and grace. He says that while there are differences, "the least, weakest, feeblest, disciples are all loved by the Lord Jesus" and that no believer should dare despise and undervalue a fellow believer who differs from them in character and grace. Is this a temptation for us? How might this change how we see someone we might tend to look down on or think we are not as good as because we count them greater than us?
4. We learn that Christ waited 4 days before arriving to see those whom he loved, this delay was intentional. This is strange to us, and yet it is essential for us to believe that Christ Jesus, the One who loves us, knows what is best. Are we learning to say, “My times are in Your hand. Do with me as You will, how You will, what You will, and when You will. Not my will, but Yours be done?” Do we believe that the highest degree of faith is to be able to wait, sit still, and not complain?