BETHANY — WHERE JESUS WAS WELCOME
In Jerusalem, the city of law and ritual, men clung to the letter but missed the Spirit. The temple stood there in its splendor, yet its worship had become hollow. They debated the Scriptures but did not recognize the Word made flesh standing among them (John 1:11). They guarded their traditions more carefully than their hearts. The Lord of glory was not welcome within their walls. Their lips honored God, but their hearts were far from Him (Matthew 15:8). The sound of prayers filled the courts, but the presence of God was missing.
So Jesus went to Bethany.
Bethany was a small town just beyond the Mount of Olives (Luke 19:29). It was not known for power or prestige, yet it was a place of warmth and faith. While Jerusalem was filled with noise and formality, Bethany was filled with love. There He found a home with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (John 11:1). It was a place where He could rest after the noise of the city and the weight of rejection. When others plotted against Him, Bethany offered peace. When others tried to trap Him in words, Bethany offered worship.
Some amazing things happened in Bethany. Lazarus was raised from the dead. The tears of sorrow turned into shouts of joy when Jesus called him forth from the tomb (John 11:43–44). In Bethany, death had to surrender. In Bethany, the glory of God broke through the darkness of the grave (John 11:4). It was a place where the impossible became possible, where faith saw what reason could not. The grave clothes fell away, and new life stood in the light of Christ. Bethany was the setting where the power of resurrection walked into a weeping home and turned mourning into music.
In that same town, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with costly oil. The fragrance filled the house (John 12:3). It was her way of saying that no gift was too great for her Lord. Martha served with care and diligence (John 12:2). Mary sat at His feet and listened to His words (Luke 10:39). Together they formed a home where Jesus was understood and honored. No temple ritual could compare to that quiet devotion. The sound of Martha’s serving, the stillness of Mary’s listening, and the laughter of Lazarus—these were the sounds that made Bethany a sanctuary of love.
Bethany was more than a place. It was a picture of the heart Jesus desires. A heart that listens instead of argues. A heart that gives instead of calculates. A heart that worships instead of worries. It is the heart that says, “Stay here, Lord. This is Your home.” A heart content with His presence and not seeking attention. The heart that trusts His word even when it cannot trace His ways.
Jerusalem represents religion without relationship. It had law but no love. It had ritual but no rest. It could not appreciate Jesus because legalism never can. Legalism measures and condemns, but love bows and believes. Legalism asks, “Is this allowed?” but love asks, “Does this please You?” The spirit of Jerusalem criticizes while the spirit of Bethany cherishes.
Let our hearts be like Bethany. Let them be a resting place for the Lord. A place where His words are treasured and His presence is welcomed (John 14:23). A place where gratitude replaces performance and faith replaces fear. A place where prayers rise like sweet fragrance and obedience flows from love.
In Bethany He was not debated but adored. Not examined but embraced. Not questioned but quietly worshiped. The world outside was plotting His death, but inside that home He was surrounded by hearts that loved Him. There He could rest, knowing He was understood.
May our hearts become such a home. May Jesus find in us what He found in that humble little town—a place where He can stay.
Lord Jesus, You found no rest in the proud halls of Jerusalem, but You were welcomed in the humble home at Bethany. Make my heart that kind of place. Sweep away the coldness of ritual and the hardness of pride. Let my thoughts be like Mary’s, resting at Your feet. Let my service be like Martha’s, done with love. Let my faith be like Lazarus’s, alive because of Your word. Teach me to welcome You not just with words, but with the quiet faith that pleases You. Dwell within me, Lord, and be comfortable there. May my heart be Your Bethany today. Amen.
Bryan Dewayne Dunaway
