Many wondered whether the Nazarene, in defiance of the command for His arrest, would come to Jerusalem for the Passover. The Temple was thronged daily in the hope that either He would appear, or that Lazarus would take His place and preach on the subject of his own resurrection. But a great silence reigned as to the whereabouts and actions of Jesus, some going even so far as to believe that the Messiah had taken the place of Lazarus in the tomb, misapplying the words: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend."
Who can enter into the sadness of His days at Ephraim, with only the society of His rough, untutored disciples. He had restored Lazarus, but even the companionship of the family at Bethany was denied to Him; it would have been dangerous to visit them, for the Jews, who congregated daily to see the restored Lazarus, would doubtless have followed Him, and told Caiaphas of His whereabouts. Those were days of terrible anxiety to the three at Bethany. Filled with undying gratitude and longing to cast themselves in adoring worship at His feet, they yet durst not move from Bethany, or even send a word of love and reverence. Once more Martha raised her inquiring, half-doubting voice to Lazarus.
"If He be the Son of God, why must He die? Since He could bring thee to life, cannot He save Himself?"
The cry was doubtless prompted more by agony at the thought of the Messiah's death than by disbelief; and in that light Lazarus replied to it.
