Matthew Henry Commentary John 11:11-16

"These things spake he: and after this he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. The disciples therefore said unto him, Lord, if he is fallen asleep, he will recover. Now Jesus had spoken of his death: but they thought that he spake of taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus therefore said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him." — John 11:11-16 (ASV)

Since we are sure to rise again at the last, why should not the believing hope of that resurrection to eternal life make it as easy for us to put off the body and die, as it is to put off our clothes and go to sleep? A true Christian, when he dies, only sleeps; he rests from the labors of the past day.

Indeed, in this respect death is better than sleep, because sleep is only a short rest, but death is the end of earthly cares and toils. The disciples thought that it was now needless for Christ to go to Lazarus, and expose himself and them. Thus we often hope that the good work we are called to do will be done by some other hand, if there is peril in doing it.

But when Christ raised Lazarus from the dead, many were brought to believe on him; and much was done to perfect the faith of those who believed. Let us go to him; death cannot separate us from the love of Christ, nor put us out of the reach of his call. Like Thomas, in difficult times Christians should encourage one another.

The dying of the Lord Jesus should make us willing to die whenever God calls us.