Scroll V
CHAPTER IV
Bethany

The day was quiet.

What a relief from the intensity of the past few days! As I reflected on the events of the Feast of Tabernacles, I thought of how controversial Jesus had become. He was receiving more attention than the Zealots. It seemed as if everywhere he went he was surrounded by supporters, detractors and those who were merely curious. But today was different. It was a beautiful, comfortable day.

We found ourselves in the little town of Bethany, less than an hour's journey from Jerusalem by foot. There we came to the home of our friend, Lazarus, and his two sisters, Martha and Mary. The two women greeted us warmly and when Jesus inquired into the whereabouts of Lazarus . . .

"You have to ask?" chided Martha. "He is at the same place you most likely have been all week, Tabernacles!" She spoke the word in triumph.

While disappointed, we understood. Lazarus was a man of great influence and means. In the old scriptures' sense of the term, Lazarus was one of those who "sat in the gate of Jerusalem." Like Nicodemus, he enjoyed high respect among those of the Sanhedrin. His wealth was of more than sufficient interest to this group. A devoted Jew, Lazarus would not be one to miss the Feast of Tabernacles. Indeed, he likely had much responsibility concerning its organization and function. For all of this, Lazarus was among the closest intimates of Jesus. He was not among the twelve or like me, a daily follower of our Lord. He loved and worshiped Jesus and believed him to be who he said he was. Among others, Lazarus and his sisters generously looked after our financial needs as Jesus and the rest of us traveled about preaching and teaching the gospel.

Does it seem peculiar that the Son of God and his entourage had financial needs? That we had to pay for our lodging? Our meals? Our clothing? Roman Tribute? All must pay for the privilege of the air we breathe. Even the Son of God.

αθω

This family, of course, could not accommodate all that were among us. Only Jesus and the twelve, Matthais and myself entered into the house. Still, entertaining fifteen hungry men was no small task. While Jesus and the rest of us found a place to sit, stand or recline, Martha busied herself with the problem of how she was going to feed us all. Jesus reclined against some cushions, exhausted. Mary came and settled at his feet, captivated, attentive. As he began to rehearse the events of the day, she sat enraptured, listening to what he said. Martha, however, bustled about with all the preparations that had to be made.

"Mary," she asked pleasantly, "can you go to the cooler and fetch some grapes? These men need refreshment." Her sister did not respond. She merely sat there smiling at Jesus, eyes filled with adoration. It is doubtful that she even heard her sister. "Sister, please," she appealed, "there will be plenty of time for swooning later. Go and fetch the grapes."

"All right," she finally said, "in a moment." But she didn't move. The moment never came.

Exasperated, Martha appealed to Jesus directly. "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all of the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

Taking her by the hand, he spoke gently to her. "Martha, Martha, it's all right. Thank you for your concern, and I apologize for all of us unexpectedly landing on you like this. But Mary has chosen the one thing she needs. She thinks sitting at my feet is better than feeding me grapes. Now I can't really take that away from her, can I?"

"So perhaps I will find what is better as well." She plopped herself onto a pile of cushions. Obviously upset, she huffed a few times before she finally relaxed, looked around the room at her company and said "So, what is it that someone else is preparing for dinner? Is my sister the 'virtuous woman' of which Solomon's mother speaks so passionately? It would seem that she was even more industrious and, I might add, a bit more appreciated."

Jesus, knowing he was bested, laughed and said to her sister, "Well, Mary, let's both of us get up and help or we will be in the thick of trouble. Pulling Martha up from the cushions he grabbed her, hugged her tightly and asked, Where are the dishes? I will set the table." And with that, we all began to help Martha.