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Author: Stephen Weller
635 words, 3 minutes read time

Arriving at Bethany

Scripture: Mark 14:3; John 11:56-57, 12:1-2

In the previous lesson we considered the Passover that occurred at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus. In this lesson we will see the danger that Jesus will face when he arrives in Jerusalem.

^{Jn 11:56} “They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” ⁵⁷ Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.”

Jerusalem had become a dangerous place for Jesus. The last time he was there the Pharisees attempted to stone him but since it was not his time, he escaped from them and left the area. The people knew of this threat and as they stood in the temple, they asked one another if they thought Jesus would come to the feast or stay away this year.

To make matters worse for Jesus, the Pharisees had enlisted the help of the people to be on the watch for Jesus and if they see him to report this to them so they could arrest him. Back in John 11:47 – 48 the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council to decide what they should do about Jesus who was drawing so many people to himself. In John 11:50 it was decided it would be best if Jesus died, and so from that day on they made plans to put him to death.

With plans formed by evil people to arrest and kill Jesus when he arrives in Jerusalem, and with the determination of Jesus to go to the cross to purchase our salvation, we find the sovereignty of God in using plans laid by evil men to accomplish his will. God had even arranged for one of the men chosen to be a disciple of Jesus to be part of this evil plot by informing the Pharisees where they could find and arrest Jesus. With storm clouds of evil forming in Jerusalem, Jesus stops off at Bethany to spend some time with dear friends.

^{Jn 12:1} Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ^{Mk 14:3} While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, ^{Jn 12:2} they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.

Six days before Passover, we find Jesus obediently following the path that would lead him to cross, entering Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. Coming to Bethany six days before Passover would likely indicate that he arrived on Saturday since the Passover began Friday evening at Sundown.

When in Bethany, Jesus usually stayed at the home of Martha. While there in Bethany a dinner was given for Jesus. We would have assumed the dinner would be at Martha’s home, but according to Mark the dinner was served at the house of Simon the leper. Apparently, Martha came and served the meal and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Jesus.

Conclusion

In Bethany, at the house of Simon the leper, Martha is serving dinner and Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, was reclining at table with Jesus, but where was Mary? She will show up in the next lesson with an alabaster flask of a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard and will fill the house with the fragrance of the perfume as she performs an act of worship.