Martha and Mary passed through that experience. There was no hope, and Lazarus must die. They felt that if Jesus was only here He would rebuke this disease. He might prevent death from taking away our only brother. They sent a messenger a good ways off to tell Jesus His friend was sick, and this was the message: “He whom Thou lovest is sick.” They do not ask Him to come. They knew Jesus loved Lazarus, and that He would come if it was for their good. The messenger at last returned. He found Christ and delivered his message. When he got back, he found that the cloud had burst upon that little home, and Lazarus was dead and buried. I see those two sisters as they gather around the messenger, eagerly plying him with questions. They asked: “Did you find Him?” “Yes, I found Him.” “What did He say?” “He said the sickness was not unto death, and He would come and see him.” Now, for the first time, I see faith beginning to stagger. Mary asks the messenger: “Are you sure you understood Him? Did He say the sickness was not unto death?” “Yes.” “Are you quite sure?” “Yes.” “Well, that is strange. If He is a prophet He should have known that Lazarus was dead. Sure Elijah would have known it. If He was a prophet, He must have known it. You had not been away from the house an hour before Lazarus died. He was dead when you met Him.” “Well, that is what He told me. He said He would come here and see him.” I see those two sisters as they kept watching for that Friend to come and comfort them. How long those nights must have seemed, as they watched and waited! I can imagine they did not sleep through the night, but listened to hear a footfall. The next day they watched, and He did not come. The second night passed, and He did not come. The third day came, and He did not come. The fourth day comes, and the messenger returns and says: “Martha, Jesus and His apostles are just outside the walls of the city. He is coming on toward Bethany.” Martha runs out to meet Him, and says: “If Thou hadst been here my brother had not died. Thou wouldst have kept death away from our dwelling.” Jesus answered her: “But thy brother shall rise again.” “Yes, I knew that,” says Martha. “I know Lazarus will rise again, for he was such a good brother. He will rise at the resurrection of the just.” Jesus had probably taught them of the resurrection. He answered Martha: “I am the resurrection of the just. I carry the keys with Me. I have the keys to death and the grave.” Then He asks: “Where is Mary? Go call her.” They ran and told Mary that Jesus was there. Mary met Jesus with the words of Martha: “If Thou hadst been here my brother had not died.” “Thy brother shall rise again. Where have you laid him?” “Come and see.”