The use of the past participle in the verse before us seems to me no difficulty at all. It is of course true that at this time Mary had not anointed our Lord. But it is no less true that John evi- dently mentions it by anticipation, as an historical fact long past and well known in the Church when he wrote his Gospel, which his readers would understand. " It was that Mary which after- wards anointed Christ's feet."
Let us note in this verse, that the good deeds of all Christ's saints are carefully recorded in God's book of remembrance. Men are forgetful and ungrateful. Nothing done for Christ is ever forgotten.
Let us note that sickness comes to Christ's people as well as to the wicked and worldly. Grace does not exempt us from trial. Sickuess, on the contrary, is one of God's most useful instruments for sanctifying His saints, and making them bear fruit of patience, and for showing the world that His people do not serve Him merely for what they get of bodily ease and com- fort iu this life. "Job does not serve God for nought," was the devil's sneer, in the days when Job prospered. "Lazarus and his sisters make a good thing of their religion," — might have been said if they had had no trials.
Brentius remarks : " God does not go away when bodily health goes away. Christ does not depart when life departs."
S.— [Therefore his sisters sent... saying.] This is an example of what all Christians should do in trouble. Like Mary aud Martha, we should first send a message to Christ. By prayer we can do it as really as they did. This is what Job did in his trouble : he first of all "worshipped," and said, " Blessed be the name of the Lord." This is what Asa did not do : " He sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians." (Job i. 20; 2 Chron. xv. 12.)
Let it be noted that the Greek would be more literally ren- dered " the sisters," and not " his." This message, from the expression in next verse, " heard," would seem to have been a verbal and not a written one.
[Lord.. .he whom thou lovest is sick.] This is a very touching and beautiful little message. — Its humble and respectful confi- dence is noteworthy, " He whom Thou lovest is sick." They do not say, " do something," or-" heal him," or " come at once." They simply spread the case before the Lord, and leave Him to do what He thinks wisest and best. It is like Hezekiah spread- ing Sennacherib's letter before God. (2 Kings xix. 14.)— The name given to Lazarus is noteworthy : they do not say "our brother," or "thy disciple," or even "one who loves Thee," but simply " he whom Thou lovest," one whom Thou hast been pleased to treat graciously and kindly as a beloved friend. Christ's love to us, and not our love to Christ, is the blessed truth which we ought continually to keep before our minds. His love never chances : ours is wavering and uncertain.