Resonating Life

When Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for the week of Passover (it would actually be His last), He and the disciples stayed OUTSIDE of the city in a town called Bethany. I always assumed He stayed in the city of Jerusalem (duh!). This little town acted as their home during the week and each day Jesus and the disciples would travel back and forth to Jerusalem which was about 2 miles away. This village was basically a suburb of Jerusalem. It’s believed that the friends of Jesus, Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived there as well as Simon the leper. If that’s true (and we’re pretty sure it is) it’s fair to assume that Jesus and guys may have stayed at Mary, Martha and Lazarus’ home. You remember them right? Lazarus died, Mary and Martha cried and then Jesus came and broke all the laws of nature by raising Lazarus back to life. Jaws dropped and God was praised.

So picture this. It’s the week of Passover. Jesus and the fellas are staying at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Each day they would walk 2 miles into the city.

Day one: Jesus makes His triumphant entry on a donkey with people praising, He goes to the temple and then back home, possibly before dark. Mary, Martha and Lazarus hang out with the Lord and talk about the day’s events.

Day two: Jesus curses a fig tree in a powerful teaching moment, then goes to the temple clearing out the thieves and cheaters. He then teaches and performs some miracles and of course the religious leaders challenge Him. All the praise the day before begins to change into controversy. Then they all head back home to Bethany, possibly before dark.

Day three: On their way back into the city the disciples notice that the fig tree is dead. “…oh snap.” says Peter. As soon as they get to the temple the religious leaders are there waiting to argue. Jesus meets them head on and makes them look like whinny little girls. Jesus and the others head over to Mt. Olivet and Jesus gives the most detailed teachings about the future He’s ever given. After dark, they all go back to Bethany. I wonder if Mary or Martha were worried (if they were home waiting). Pacing back and forth. “Where are they?!”

Day four: The Bible is pretty quiet about this day. Possibly just dinner and quiet time with the disciples.

Day five: Starts like the other days. “Good morning Martha!”. “Good morning Peter!”. The disciples ask Jesus how they should prepare for the passover. He gives instructions and sends them out to get ready. Was He left alone at the house? What must have been going through His mind knowing that today He wouldn’t be home before dark.

Later that night:

Supper. Prayer. Washing feet. Bread. Wine. New Covenant. Teachings. New Commandment.

Mount of Olives. A denial predicted. Garden. Prayer. Sleeping disciples. Crying. Anguish. “Your will be done.”

Kiss.

Betrayal.

Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Jesus won’t be home before dark tonight. The dark has to come first and no amount of pacing or worrying or calling the police will help. The sun has set and the son is not home. “Where are they?!” Then word comes. Jesus has been arrested. Jesus won’t be home before dark.

Sometimes we feel like this. We want so much for the darkness to never come. No trials or problems or challenges. But they do come. Death, disease & pain. Why doesn’t Jesus come home before dark? Before things get bad, why can’t He show up?

But that’s not the end. The darkness couldn’t last forever. It still can’t. Not with the explosive power of God. A couple of days later, after the day Jesus didn’t make it home before dark, the darkness gave way to brilliant light.