July 6, 2023
Staying On Course
“Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.” John 11:18-19 (NASB)
Sometimes, some of the hardest things are the most necessary. We don’t like doing them, but it has to be done. Whether it is firing a friend at a job, telling the truth when it is not popular, or breaking a relationship which is not healthy. We have to stay on course, just like Jesus did.
“Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary…” Bethany was about two miles from Jerusalem. Other translations read “about fifteen furlongs.” “This distance between the two places was somewhat less than two thousand paces, or two miles; for the Stadium, or furlong, contains six hundred feet; that is, one hundred and twenty-five paces.”[1] Therefore, the Jews (religious leaders, etc.) would travel the roughly two-mile journey to see the family. Two things are interesting about this passage. The first thing we observe is the family’s status in Bethany. If this family was not prominent, the Jews probably would not have made the journey to see the family in condolences. It was also obvious Lazarus’ friendship with Jesus did not deter the Jews from a friendship with him. Otherwise they would have been offended of him and not made the visit. This brings us to the second point of this passage. After Jesus’ visit to Jerusalem, the disciples, namely Thomas, cautioned about going to Jerusalem because of the problems it caused last time. Thomas’ statement in verse 16 “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him,” showed their hesitation. Now, Jesus was going to make a visit to Bethany (around 2 miles away from Jerusalem) to see Lazarus. The disciples knew the Jews would be there to visit Lazarus’ family. This Jewish tradition consoled the family with words of encouragement. Newman says, “The verb rendered to comfort… seems to have the meaning ‘to encourage’ or ‘to cheer up.’ In some languages an equivalent of comfort may be ‘to speak helpful words.’ If one translates in this manner, it will be possible to translate the final phrase, more or less literally, ‘about their brother’s death’ or ‘about the fact that their brother had died.’”[2] The Jews would also be there many days after the day he died (since burial occurred on the day of death). Would this re-stir the hornet’s nest of the Jews hatred for Jesus and place Him and the disciples in harm’s way again? Why do this they asked?
The struggle the disciples faced is the same struggle we all face daily. It is taking the path of least resistance. We too find ways to avoid trouble in our lives. We see the easy way out and take it. What happens when the path has no alternative? In Jesus life, there was no other alternative. The challenge for Him was the Father’s will for mankind. It was not an easy one. Imagine today, the thoughts which went through Jesus’ mind knowing He would have to eventually be brutally abused, tortured, and eventually crucified. I can imagine His humanity wasn’t very excited (to say the least) thinking about this. But He did it because His Father was leading His life. He didn’t back down when the time came either. Be the one today who doesn’t back down when times are hard. Do the hard things when its time because they are God’s way…
[1] Calvin, J., & Pringle, W. (2010). Commentary on the Gospel according to John (Vol. 1, p. 433). Logos Bible Software.
[2] Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on the Gospel of John (p. 364). United Bible Societies.