Scripture tells us that 6 days before the Passover, Jesus went to visit his friends in Bethany (John 12). Bethany is an interesting little town – it’s about a mile and a half from Jerusalem and it’s name means house of figs. Many scholars believe that Bethany was a village of ancient health care – an almshouse for those suffering with disease and ailment to come and receive care. Many scholars also believe that Bethany, at the time of Jesus, had been settled by many Galileans, which is why Jesus and his “Galilean” Disciples were so at home. Galilee was the equivalent of the American Southern States, so Bethany would have been an Cracker Barrel in the Upper East Coast (so to speak anyway).
Bethany was also the home to, quite probably, Jesus’ most dramatic miracle – the raising of Lazarus. We don’t know how the relationship between Jesus and Lazarus began, but we can certainly infer that there was a deep love between them (we might even be able to say that there was a sense of extended family with them). As Jesus was traveling, Lazarus became ill and Jesus was summoned. Jesus delayed. Lazarus died. I can’t imagine the torment that Jesus must have felt knowing that His friend was sick and suffering – can you? Sure, Jesus knew what was going to happen, but who wouldn’t want to alleviate the pain and suffering of a friend or family member as soon as possible?
When Jesus final came to Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb 4 days and his two sisters were distraught with grief and frustrated that Jesus, their friend and miracle worker, didn’t come sooner to save the day. It is this grief that we see Jesus respond with the famous and shortest verse in Scripture – Jesus wept. Jesus then does the amazing – He calls Lazarus to come out of the tomb – He raises Him from the dead! Lazarus come out of the tomb, wrapped in his burial shroud and is now alive.
This is the prelude to what happens these 6 days before the Passover. Jesus, back in Bethany, is sharing a meal with the Lazarus Family. Sabbath was finished and the discussion must have been directed toward the coming week – Passover, one of the high holy days of the Hebrew people. Jesus had been telling his followers for some time that this Passover was going to be different. He alluded to his betrayal and death, but did those disciples here him? Probably not, they were most likely expecting something amazing to happen. Then the younger sister – Mary – came forward and filled the room with worship.
Mary anointed Jesus feet with her life savings and future security. No doubt she was responding out of great joy for Jesus’ very presence but also because of the healing of her brother and for the love the family had for him. This was an intimate and loving act by Mary. Yet, not all appreciated it – Judas decried it and tried to shame the act. This was an act of foolishness, “we could have raised 300 silver pieces for the poor.” Jesus knew this was ultimately an act that far outweighed Mary’s gratefulness and Judas’ quasi-concern for the poor. Jesus saw this as a foreshadow, an act that would prepare Him for what was soon to come.
Six days before Passover…six days would cover a lot of things: a triumphant parade, turning over of the money changers tables, preaching and confronting the religious leaders, teaching in the Temple, a final meal, a night of prayerful anguish, betrayal, arrest, physical abuse, false trials, scourging and finally with a destiny with a Roman Cross. Jesus was prepared for what was going to happen to Him thanks, in part, to the loving worshipful act of Mary.
One of the amazing pieces of this story is what happened afterwards. John says that people came to see both Jesus and Lazarus alive! They came to see Jesus for sure – to hear him and maybe even be healed or blessed by him. But they also came to see Lazarus alive. The reaction is what is so amazing to me – some were in wonder. But some were in fear. The religious leaders hated this freedom and mercy and worship. They were deeply concerned with their power and their authority. Jesus was an obvious threat, but so too was Lazarus. The priests and scribes were consulting on how to kill both Jesus and Lazarus.
As we prepare for Palm Sunday and for Holy Week, where do I find myself at the table at Bethany? Am I Lazarus reclining at the table – appreciative for my life? Am I Martha – busy serving those seated? Am I Mary – signing over my security in an act of worship? Am I Judas – filled with selfishness and seeing only what’s in it for me? Am I a religious leader – set up on my own control and fear of the freedom that Jesus so desperately wants me to experience?
On the eve of a Sabbath weekend and awaiting the parade of Palm Sunday, will you join me in preparing? Let’s take time to sit at the table and reflect and look forward to the week. Let’s not let this Holy Week go by with out recalling what Jesus went through, so that we could be alive again.
Happy Palm Sunday to you all!!!