Lazarus, Martha, and Mary of Bethany 

Bethany is a small village in Judea, located on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives, just 2 miles (3.2 km) from Jerusalem. The village is famous for being the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary, who were the children of a wealthy and honorable Jew named Simon. The family was well-known for their ardent friendship with Jesus, especially during the times of his persecution, and they were respected by all who knew them. The family inherited extensive vineyards and olive orchards in the vicinity, and their wealth was further attested to by the fact that they had a private burial tomb on their own premises.

It is likely that the present village formed about the traditional tomb of Lazarus, which is in a cave in Bethany. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary are well-known in historical accounts of important incidents connected to Jesus, such as the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and Jesus’ appearances at Lazarus’s home after his own resurrection.

The relationship between Jesus and Lazarus, Martha, and Mary was marked by a lifelong friendship. Next to his own family, Jesus loved these three most of all, and they loved him as if he had been their own brother. Lazarus was the same age as Jesus and became head of the house after his parents’ death. Martha was a little over one year older than Jesus, while Mary was two years younger. Jesus was the idolized ideal of all three of them.

The friendship between Jesus and the family of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary reveals much about the nature of Jesus’ ministry and his relationships with his followers. Jesus’ willingness to spend time with them, to accept their hospitality, and to share his life with them, despite the risks and dangers of his ministry, speaks to his deep commitment to building relationships with those who shared his beliefs and values. The fact that the family of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary were willing to risk their own safety and well-being by supporting Jesus in the face of persecution and danger is a testament to the strength of their faith and their commitment to Jesus as a spiritual leader and a friend.

In conclusion, the village of Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, played an important role in the life and ministry of Jesus. The strong and enduring friendship between Jesus and the family of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary is a testament to the power of faith, love, and friendship, and it continues to inspire and enrich the lives of people around the world.

During Jesus’ first trip to Jerusalem for Passover with his family, they paused for rest in the borders of a little village called Bethany. The hospitable villagers welcomed the travelers, and it happened that Joseph and Mary stopped near the house of Simon, who had three children about the same age as Jesus – Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They were invited in for refreshments, and they all became lifelong friends. Many times afterward, in his eventful life, Jesus stayed in their home.

Five Nazareth families were guests of Simon of Bethany in the celebration of the Passover and Simon had purchased the paschal lamb for the group. Although it had been the plan to eat the Passover meal with Mary’s relatives, Jesus persuaded his parents to accept the invitation to go to Bethany instead. Since Jesus was just confirmed as a graduate of the synagogue school in Nazareth, he was given the honor of telling the story of Passover, and later he was permitted to go home with Lazarus to spend the night. It was this evening, after visiting and sharing ideas, that Lazarus and his sisters began to love Jesus.

Jesus was excited about his first visit to Jerusalem and the temple, but the experience left some unpleasant memories in his mind. He was particularly upset about the slaughter of animals for sacrifice, and he resented the fact that his mother was not allowed to accompany him to his confirmation ceremony just because she was a woman. It had never occurred to Jesus that she would not be allowed to attend with him, but he greatly enjoyed the beauty of the temple and its reverence as the sacred home of the spirit of God.

During the ceremony, Jesus was considered a "son of the law" and was expected to travel with the men upon their return to Nazareth. While he was listening to discussions in the temple courtyards, Joseph and Mary, following their independent departures, assumed he was with the other parent and only realized he was missing when they stopped for the night. They journeyed back to Jerusalem and found him a few days later in the temple, attending teaching sessions daily and preoccupied with his thoughts.

During this trip, Jesus had an unusual and startling experience. A celestial visitor told him that it was time for him to "be about his Father's business." Joseph and Mary searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him in the temple, Jesus asked his mother why she was searching for him everywhere, reminding her that he must be about his Father's business.

During one of his visits to Jerusalem for Passover, Jesus opposed certain ceremonial practices that he felt misrepresented his Father in heaven. Lazarus had planned to celebrate the Passover with friends in a village down the Jericho road, but Jesus proposed they celebrate at Lazarus' house instead. Although Lazarus had no lamb, Jesus convinced them that such meaningless rituals were not truly important to the Father in heaven. After solemn prayer, they all decided to partake of the Passover feast without the paschal lamb, and Jesus served his companions unleavened bread and wine, which he referred to as "the bread of life" and "the water of life." He continued this sacramental ritual on subsequent visits to Bethany. Upon returning home, Jesus told his mother about the Passover celebration, and though initially shocked, Mary gradually came to see his viewpoint. However, she was relieved when he assured her that they would continue to eat the Passover "according to the law of Moses" at home with the other children each year.

Simon of Bethany, the father of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, was indeed a trusted friend and supporter of Jesus and his ministry. He played an important role in providing a safe haven for Jesus and his disciples, especially during times of persecution. A network of believers hosted Jesus and his followers in groups of two at each home. In addition to storing their tents and meager belongings, Simon also provided them with food and shelter whenever they needed it. His home became a place of refuge for Jesus and his followers, and the whole town of Bethany embraced Jesus, including Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.

Jesus attended the feast of tabernacles, where thousands of believers from various parts of the Roman Empire saw him, heard him teach, and even traveled to Lazarus's home in Bethany to confer with him. Whenever Jesus visited the three siblings, they would drop everything and listen to his teachings. To avoid the Jewish authorities who planned to arrest Jesus, it was arranged that he would stay with Lazarus and his sisters at a friend's house. While Lazarus and Mary listened to Jesus' teachings, Martha assumed her usual responsibilities of home life and prepared the evening meal. However, Martha became distracted by needless tasks and trivial cares and was perturbed because Mary did not help her. Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her, but Jesus replied that only one thing is truly worthwhile, and Mary had chosen the good and needful part. Jesus suggested that both sisters learn to live as he had taught them, “serving in cooperation and refreshing their souls in unison, and that the lesser matters of life should give way before the greater things of the heavenly kingdom.”

As the years passed, Jesus became a frequent visitor to the home of Simon and his family in Bethany. He would often retreat there to rest and refresh himself between his journeys and teachings. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were all very fond of Jesus, and he, in turn, loved them deeply. They provided him with a place of solace and comfort during some of the most difficult times of his life.

One of the most well-known incidents that took place in Bethany was the resurrection of Lazarus. When Jesus received news that his friend Lazarus was ill, he waited two days before traveling to Bethany. By the time he arrived, Lazarus had already died and been buried. Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus, wept for his friend, and then commanded him to rise from the dead. To the amazement of all who witnessed it, Lazarus emerged from the tomb, alive and well.

This miraculous event caused many people to believe in Jesus and his teachings. However, it also caused the religious authorities to become more determined to arrest and kill him. Despite the danger, Jesus continued to visit his friends in Bethany, and they continued to offer him their love and support.

In the end, it was in Bethany that Jesus shared some of his last days with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. He knew that his time on earth was coming to an end, but he found comfort in the love of his friends in Bethany. They had been with him throughout his journey, and they remained faithful to him until the very end.

All of Bethany and Bethpage came together to celebrate Jesus' arrival in a public banquet at Simon's house. At this banquet, Mary, sister of Lazarus, rose from among the women watching and went up to where Jesus was reclining as the guest of honor. She then started to pour a large alabaster cruse of extremely rare and expensive ointment onto his feet as she took her hair down and wiped them with it. The ointment that Mary used to anoint Jesus was made of pure nard, which was a very expensive and highly fragrant oil imported from the Himalayas. The cost of the ointment was estimated to be worth a year's wages for an average laborer. Everyone present was astounded at what Mary had done and some murmured indignantly that such an expensive ointment would be used in this manner.

Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive ointment was a symbol of her love and devotion to him, and her faith that he was the Messiah. It was a prophetic act, as the anointing was traditionally reserved for kings and prophets. Jesus subsequently defended Mary and her actions against the criticism of others and said, in part, that Mary had done a good thing in her heart, had demonstrated trust in his prophetic statements regarding his pending death and recognized and appreciated her faith and devotion for this act.

The account of the appearance of Jesus to James, the oldest brother of Jesus, at Bethany is a significant event in the history of early Christianity. According to early accounts, James had become skeptical about his brother’s mission and the claims of the apostles that he was the Messiah. However, when he was standing in the garden of Lazarus’ home, before the empty tomb of Lazarus where Lazarus had been resurrected from the dead, James had a remarkable experience that changed his life.

As James stood in the garden, he felt a near-by presence and saw the gradual appearance of a strange form by his side. He recognized the voice of his brother Jesus, who spoke to him and called him to the service of the kingdom. They walked through the garden and talked for almost three minutes, reminiscing about past experiences and discussing the events of the near future. When they neared the house, Jesus bid him farewell, saying that he would greet them all together.

James rushed into Lazarus’ house and exclaimed that he had just seen Jesus and talked with him. He announced that he would not return to Galilee and another friend, David Zebedee, exclaimed that even stronghearted men had begun to see Jesus. This experience had a profound impact on James, who had been skeptical about his brother’s mission and claims. He became a believer in the resurrection of Jesus and joined earnest hands with his brethren to follow after him.

The story of Lazarus’ resurrection is a remarkable example of the power of Jesus’ teachings and miracles. Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus, and this event caused great consternation among the Jewish leaders, who saw it as a threat to their authority. They decided that Lazarus had to be silenced, and he was forced to flee for his life. The Jewish leaders realized it would be useless to put Jesus to death if they allowed Lazarus to live.

Lazarus left in haste and made his way to Philadelphia, where he felt safe from the threats of the Sanhedrin. Martha and Mary later joined Lazarus in Philadelphia after David Zebedee helped them dispose of all of their lands and property. David journeyed with Martha and Mary to Philadelphia, along with Ruth, Jesus’ younger sister, the day after he and Ruth were married.

Lazarus became a supporter of Abner, a leader of the early Christian church, and he ultimately became the treasurer of the church in Philadelphia. Lazarus was a strong advocate for Abner in his dispute with Paul and the Jerusalem church. He ultimately died at 67 years old of the same sickness that took his life when he was a younger man.