John 11:3 “Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.”
It appears that this family was spiritually minded and held the “Lord” in worshipful awe. In visits with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha; the “Lord” had plainly shown His love for them as they had welcomed Him into their home and lovingly served Him. So, when Lazarus became sick, the most important thing was to send a messenger to the “Lord” that their brother Lazarus “whom thou lovest is sick”. Their suggested criterion for the Lord’s attention was that they knew that He Loved Lazarus. It is much the same with us, the assurance that our Lord hears us when we pray, is that He loves us with a “great love” (Ephesians 2:4), a secure “love” from which we can never be separated (Romans 8:35-39). Furthermore, we have personal experience with Him, for “we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us” (I John 3:24). The knowledge of His love is assurance that He cares about us and our conditions in life. We also learn from this experience that even beloved Children of God get sick in this life and pass away, for “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). To teach us several very important lessons, the Lord did raise Lazarus to life again, as He did for a few others, but the rest will be raised to life on the last day of this present world. But, when our hearts are severely broken and we grieve, He knows it and He feels it (John 11:35). We should also notice the great humility in these sister’s petition to the Lord. They simply reported the condition of their sick brother to the Lord, leaving the choice of the proper outcome in His Sovereign Hands. It is clear that they knew that when the Lord learned of Lazarus’ sickness, whatever He did would be right. Peter frames it this way, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7)!