Bethany Extract 65 So we journey on to Jerusalem for another Passover. There was a big debate this time about whether Jesus should go – we still don't know for sure if he will celebrate in the city or whether he will stay at our friends in Bethany. The crowds love him and that offers a kind of protection, but we know the authorities are terrified that he will start a revolution. God knows the people are ready for it – if he gave the word they would fight to a man. He won't of course, I know enough to know that it isn't that kind of kingdom he keeps talking about. But even his closest friends seem convinced that he's some kind of military leader. We keep hearing what we want to hear and it can only lead to trouble. Extract 66 We separated last night, Jesus and his disciples staying in the village, still debating whether to go to Jerusalem or not. We arrived in Bethany this morning, it is always so lovely to see Lazarus and his sisters, they have become so special to us over these last three years. So supportive of Jesus, so hospitable when the rest of the world is so demanding. Martha and Mary welcomed us with their usual warmth, but Lazarus is not well – we're hoping he'll recover enough to come with us to Passover just three weeks from now. Extract 67 Lazarus is worse this morning. I've seen this fever before, it's so like the one Joseph had and I'm frightened for these dear friends. I haven't said anything to the girls, but I've sent my boys to tell Jesus. Extract 68 Jesus still hasn't come. Mary and Martha know now that I sent for him, and still he hasn't come. Lazarus thinks that the authorities will kill him if he's anywhere near Jerusalem. I didn't realise it was this bad, but even so, this is his closest friend and Mary and Martha don't understand why he doesn't come. If I'm honest, nor do I. Behind the Diary John 11: 1 - 6 It's alright to have friends! It's even ok to have some friends who are closer than others! In terms of ministry, Jesus has the crowds at the outpost of familiarity followed by the 72, then the wider friendship group including supporters, then the 12, then the three (Peter, James & John) and finally, John. But outside ministry, He also has some close friends with whom He can relax and share in ways and at levels that He can't with others - amongst these, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. We need to do the same. We need to understand that we can have different levels of intimacy with different people - we neither need to be totally open to all or entirely closed to everyone! It's important for our health and others that we have healthy boundaries. But we do need some who are close enough and trusted enough to speak truth into our lives with whom we can share our highest joys and our deepest valleys. At key moments of pressure, we see Jesus retreating to this home in Bethany (just the other side of The Mount Of Olives - a couple of miles from Jerusalem). And what a moment of pressure this is for Jesus - the authorities are openly plotting against Him and Jerusalem is at the heart of the political and religous struggle. So the debate is on amongst the people, the authorities and within His disciples - should He go, would He go to Passover? Into this debate comes the unwelcome news that his best friend is worryingly ill. Now what to do? Again, the people try to decide the matter on the basis of what they can see; on the one hand there is the risk to His own safety if He goes anywhere near Jerusalem. On the other, if He doesn't His friend may die. Mary 7 Martha are caught up in this human, worldly way of deciding. But Jesus has constantly pointed to a fuller way - a way that includes the bigger picture of the spiritual dimension. So He knows what to do, not on the basis of rational argument, but on the basis of Holy Spirit revelation. He has a word of knowledge about the nature ofthis illness, the course it will take and how the Father wants to bring good out of what the enemy has sown for harm. And on the basis of that knowledge He is able to take a decision that reason and emotion would never have allowed. With His best friend dying, He waits. What circumstances are we going through that seem inconceivable from a human perspective? Maybe, if we open our spiritual eyes, we will catch a glimpse of what God sees; victory not defeat, sight not blindness, joy instead of mourning, life instead of death.

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