Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 11:6

"When therefore he heard that he was sick, he abode at that time two days in the place where he was." — John 11:6 (ASV)

When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

We cannot always understand what our Master does. It seemed a strange thing that, when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he stopped where he was, yet there was a good reason for the delay: Christ was waiting in wisdom and in love. I think I see Mary and Martha, day after day wondering where Jesus could be; perhaps thinking hard thoughts of him, and saying, "He loved us, and he loved our brother, why did he not come immediately when we sent word to him?"

When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he remained two days still in the same place where he was (John 11:6).

Notice the connection. Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus (John 11:5); and yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, he remained two days still in the same place where he was (John 11:6). Sometimes true love may see fit to make us wait. It may be the truest love on God's part to let us lie sick, and not to come immediately to us to make us well.

Indeed, the truest love may demand that the sickness should turn to death, for out of that death He may bring the greater glory. The Lord does not operate on a human scale, for He does not see as man sees. He sees the end as well as the beginning.