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AT BETHANY

by Opeyemi Ezekiel Akindele  
9/24/2013 / Bible Studies

AT BETHANY
John 11

At Bethany, it all happened. Reading this portion of the gospel account according to Apostle John, one may think it is the story of the death of Lazarus. On the contrary, it is a story of the endless power of the eternal life of God revealed in our salvation. Indeed, it is a story of life. But then, it is also a story of a hope dashed, faith ineffective, but love unmoved. It is a story of a situation turned around because of who Jesus is, not because someone had made a positive confession or a person "had faith in his own faith."

At Bethany, we see the unspeakable love between Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour and his family friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha. At Bethany, we see that the whole-hearted love these ones had for Jesus is portrayed in their hospitality towards Jesus and his disciples. Jesus likewise loved them, not because he finds relief in their home, but because they had fallen in love with the word of life. Even the Jews testified of this love, saying "see how he loved him!" (vs: 36)

At Bethany, His soulmate Lazarus- fell sick.

At Bethany, we were taught that it is not strange to divine counsel that a disciple and friend who knows Jesus Christ as intimately as Lazarus could ever be sick " for the glory of God, that the son of God may be glorified through it" (vs:4), "that Christ will be magnified in my body whether by life or by death". "For to me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:20-21) Why do friends of God go through turmoil? Why do we suffer? How come that we who claim to know God go through devastating experiences? Bethany answered it all!

At Bethany, we were taught that our Trophimus can be "left sick at Miletus"; and our Epaphroditus can be "sick even to the point of death" (2 Tim. 4: 20; Phil. 2: 27). Paul the apostle was taught that his pain would persist and coexist with grace, even after he had pleaded with the Lord three times (2 Cor 12: 7-9). At Bethany, Mary and Martha could not heal the sick. At Bethany, prayer of "faith" did not "work". It is here that anointing oil admits its own powerlessness. At Bethany, "a pound of a very costly oil of spikenard" which could fill a house with its fragrance (John 12:3) was unable to overcome the stink of death, emanating from the body of the friend of the Lord.

At Bethany, we were shown how, like Lazarus, humankind is dead in trespasses. We stink because of sin and its wages. The "costly oil of spikenard" purchased at a huge price (which could pay a full year wage of a labourer) could not put away the stink and stench. All man could do did not solve the problem of sin. Head knowledge of the scriptures cannot work. Self-mortification cannot raise that which is dead in us. None of our sincere efforts will bring us to walk in the newness of life not until Jesus confronts our tomb by Himself. Those women of faith tried it all at Bethany. When later Jesus by Himself raised their brother back to life, they spilled their expensive (but ineffective) oil at the feet of He "Who alone does great wonder"

At Bethany, the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold he whom you love is sick" (v. 3). We often think telling God how special we are to Him would make Him come rushing to dispel our pain, our fear, our need. Those daughters of Abraham tried that too. They quoted every scripture they knew, yet the Lord tarries. Why does God not answer sincere prayers sometimes? Why does He wait for long before stepping in? Bethany answered it all.

At Bethany, they received the reply from Jesus. Lazarus himself heard it: "This sickness is not unto death" (v. 4). So the sisters built their hope of his recovery on the sure words of Jesus Himself. They mustered faith and anchored it on the words of the Lord. Yet the condition of Lazarus deteriorated. His body became paler. He could only eat less and less by the day. His body became lean with their confession of "This sickness is not unto death". With pain in their brows, they watched the man whom the Lord loved so much writhe in pain.

At Bethany, the mere confession of scriptures did not "force" healing and deliverance to occur. Yet they had confessed "He sent His word and heal them from all their diseases" over Lazarus the sick. Lazarus faltered the same. Nothing happened. No flash of lightning beamed from heaven. There was no wind. His guardian angel was silent. And Jesus his friend did not come. And the Jews marvelled: aren't they women of faith? Isn't this man a friend of the Lord?

At Bethany, we watch our situation worsen. Yes, we also have done the same. We have claimed victory over that situation. And we hope to get out of it if not over it- soon. After all, Romans 5:5 says "hope does not disappoint". But then all we see is nothing but the worse our spouse has become even more difficult; that marriage partner refuse to show up; breaking that bad habit now seems impossible, and hardship bites harder in all directions. And our neighbours wonder if indeed we are the Lord's friend.

At Bethany, the sisters watched the friend of the Lord breathed his last. They wondered whether the servant they sent to the Lord brought the wrong message: "This sickness is not unto death". And their confessions of faith could be heard no more, for the sick was dead already. And their confessions of faith could be heard no more, that the voice of the Son of God might have pre-eminence.

At Bethany, Lazarus breathed his last. The sisters' hope and faith breathed their last. Nothing could be more disappointing. But in spite of this, Romans 5:5 says we can still love the Lord " because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit and we also glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character (Romans 5:3-4)"

At Bethany, we learnt our lesson: "And now abide faith, hope, love..., but the greatest is love (1Cor. 13:13). Martha and Mary lost all but their heart love for the Son of God. Just like the patient Job, they did not charge God with folly. All they craved was to meet the Lord; to pour out their hearts to Him; to bow in reverent worship. In all these things are we ready to meet the Lord?

At Bethany, the mourners came to wail. Some of them mourned in mockery of Jesus who, to do them, was unable to help the situation: "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept his friend from dying?" (v. 37). Mourners are experts at crying over spilt milk. They are experts at whining over a helpless situation: "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept his friend from dying?" (v. 37). They did not love the Lord. They did not have the faith and character of those who loved the Lord. They had no doctrine residing and presiding over their soul. They could not relate with Jesus.

At Bethany, the sisters were willing to have the Lord and pour out the anguish of their hearts to Him without flouting or whining at the Lord. "Lord, if you had been here" said Martha (v. 21), as if realising that all their efforts and quoting even the word of God did not count for anything because the Lord Himself was not present. The main thing was if the Lord was there. Mary said the same thing: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (v. 32). They placed a high premium on the importance of the presence of Jesus. They went out of town to meet the Lord. They left the mourners behind to do their wailing. It is easy to cry when situation get out of control. Mourners would not seek Jesus: believers will. Men and women who have doctrine would rather pray.

At Bethany, the sisters went out of town: they did something out of fashion. It is easy to cry and become embittered when situation get out of control; but they did not fall into that natural tendency. Bitterness was fashionable for the mourners; but believers need not sorrow like those without hope in this world. They went out of the town, bearing His reproach (Psalm 69:9; Heb. 13:13). Alone with their God outside the town, doctrine took precedence over self-pity: "But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you" (v. 22).When they met the Lord, their faith that died first revived. Martha, by faith, said "But even now", to show the Lord that though her brother died despite their prayers, they still believe in the omnipotence of God and the efficacy of prayers. Even though my situation is more than hopeless; though my finance is broken and broke; though my cancer has worsened; though my hardship and poverty bites harder, and my marriage comes down crashing despite my sincere prayers, I still believe that Jesus answers prayers and can do anything (John 14:14). "I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you" (v. 22). And I know that even if I do not see the results of my prayers in time, eternity will balance the equation. And Martha unleashed a golden facet of faith: "I know that He will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

At Bethany, the humanity and divinity of Jesus stare us in the face.

At Bethany, Jesus wept (v.35). The Son of Man wept at the sight of the anguish of His loved ones and the lost sheep of Israel, because of the terrible impact of sin and death. He saw, first-hand, the ripple effect of the fall of the first Adam (Romans 5:14; Heb. 2:15).

At Bethany, Jesus purposed that He, the last Adam, the final Adam and last hope of mankind (1Cor. 15:45) must not fail to be "the Mediator of the New Covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator." (Heb. 9:15-16).

Written by Opeyemi Ezekiel Akindele in the year 2007 ([email protected])

I am Opeyemi Ezekiel Akindele, a young Christian and Pharmacist from Nigeria. I have the ability from God the Father to teach His words through writing and occasionally speaking. You can read more of my writing here http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php/websites/messenger-hire.php?id=19398

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