Bethany

The walk to Bethany wasn't too bad was it? It went by fairly quickly leaving Jerusalem and going a few miles south. It's one of the closer towns to Jerusalem which we have visited with Christ. A little easier on the feet:) I love the town of Bethany!

What I remember most about the town was watching Jesus call to Lazarus to come forth from his grave! Wow, truly one of the most miraculous and amazing miracles I've seen Jesus do. Visiting with Lazarus last night at dinner and remembering him coming out of his grave - gives me goosebumps all over. It is wonderful seeing how well he's doing right now. Hearing him laugh, visiting with us and enjoying dinner with us was a blessing! Martha and Mary always do a wonderful job as hostesses. Of course, dinner was delicious!

Somehow though last night seemed more intense, more special. Could it have been watching Mary taking her expensive oil and pouring it on Jesus's feet and wiping it with her hair be that special moment last night? I guess for me seeing someone without any reservations or embarrassment serving him with all her heart was a challenge to my heart! Oh, how the fragrance from the oil filled the house! Glorious! I know it annoyed Judas tremendously to see her do that - he's always the "money" conscious one! Jesus sure got on him though - telling him to leave her alone as we wouldn't always have Him with us. I wondered what he meant by that.

As usual a lot of people surrounded the house, they had heard Jesus had come back to town. I know they were extremely interested in seeing Lazarus again as they had heard he had came back from the dead and wanted to see for themselves. I wondered if their curiosity was satisfied?

Jesus sure has been busy teaching about a lot of things lately. Sometimes it's hard to grasp all of it but I love listening to him and trying to learn everything he talks about. I know he's warned us about quite a few things like hypocrisy, materialism, worry, unfaithfulness, love of ease, unpreparedness, and division. He's answered quite a few questions thrown at him to regarding the justice of God, the Sabbath, the kingdom, the few who are saved. I know there are many more lessons but, those are a few of the ones that come to mind right now. Did you hear we are leaving after the Sabbath to head back to Jerusalem? Many in town were talking about getting their sacrificial lambs chosen for the Passover. Many will be leaving to Jerusalem tomorrow as well to present their chosen lambs to the priest so that they can be prepared for Passover. I know I never get tired of hearing about God saving us from the Egyptians. I'm looking forward to getting there tomorrow!

John 12:2-11