John Calvin Commentary John 11:3

"The sisters therefore sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." — John 11:3 (ASV)

Lo, he whom thou lovest is sick. The message is short, but Christ might easily learn from it what the two sisters wished; for, under this complaint, they modestly state their request that he would be pleased to grant them relief.

We are not forbidden, indeed, to use a longer form of prayer; but our principal object ought to be to pour into the bosom of God all our cares, and everything that distresses us, so that he may afford deliverance. Such is the manner in which the women act towards Christ: they plainly tell him their distress, and as a consequence, they expect some alleviation.

We ought also to observe that, from Christ’s love, they are led to entertain a confident hope of obtaining assistance, he whom thou lovest; and this is the invariable rule of praying correctly. For where the love of God is, deliverance is certain and near, because God cannot forsake him whom he loveth.