Why did Jesus go to Bethany?
1. He went there after He had stayed in the wilderness while the religious leaders had given orders to arrest Him. In other words, He exposed Himself and was ready to be arrested any time 11:57 (EBC) The dinner marked the crisis of friendship with Jesus. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus risked all they had to do him honor and to demonstrate their loyalty in the face of approaching danger and death. Jesus’ comment on Mary’s action may or may not imply a premonition on her part of his approaching peril. In any event, her gift was an expression of the highest gratitude and devotion.
2. Receiving the anointing from Mary v.3 to prepare for His burial v.7-8. John spent most of the passage describing this. Compared with Judah, who just cared about stealing money, Mary devoted her best to Jesus even being blamed for being too extravagant. (NET) John states that he was a thief and had responsibility for the finances of the group. More than being simply a derogatory note about Judas’ character, the inclusion of the note at this particular point in the narrative may be intended to link the frustrated greed of Judas here with his subsequent decision to betray Jesus for money. The parallel accounts in Matthew and Mark seem to indicate that after this incident Judas went away immediately and made his deal with the Jewish authorities to deliver up Jesus. Losing out on one source of sordid gain, he immediately went out and set up another.
3. More people from Jerusalem came as they learned that Jesus was there. When they saw Lazarus as the key witness of Jesus’ resurrection power they believed v.9-11. The mentioning of people on account of Lazarus was repeated by John 11:45. Both Lazarus’ and Jesus’ lives were threatened by this fact, but neither one of them showed any fear of death.
Reflection: How should a person react if he knew that death was approaching? How did Jesus spend His last days on earth? He attracted more people to believe in Him by attracting them to see Lazarus, the living proof of His resurrection’s power. No fear of death was shown by Jesus. Do I have any fear of death? Or do I focus on leading others to Christ no matter the consequence?
Judas’ mind was on the money while Mary gave all she had to Jesus. Am I ready to give in order to show my devotion like Mary? When I come to the church am I concerned more about what I get or what I give?
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