The Journey to Bethany
- Scott Phillips
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Good morning,
Last Sunday we concluded our look at John 11. In John 11:54 John writes that Jesus and the disciples left Jerusalem once Jesus received word that the Sanhedrin were now plotting to kill Him. They traveled to the small village of Ephraim. Tucked away in the Judean wilderness, Ephraim served as something of a retreat for Jesus to prepare Himself for the events of Holy Week. John then writes this in John 12:1:
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
So according to John it seems like Jesus traveled from Ephraim to Bethany. Well…wait a minute…doesn’t Jesus travel from Jericho to Bethany?
In Luke 19 Luke tells us the story of Jesus and Zaccheus, which takes place in Jericho. While at Zaccheus’ home Jesus tells the Parable of the Ten Minas. Then Luke writes this in Luke 19:28-29:
After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany…
Matthew and Mark also indicate that Jesus’ last stop before Bethany is Jericho. So did John get it wrong?
The short answer is “No.” The Bible is the infallible Word of God. You may remember that during last year’s Easter sermon series I mentioned that if we only read Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s accounts of Jesus final trip to Jerusalem it appears as if He makes a fairly straight trip from Galilee to Jerusalem, with stops at Jericho and Bethany along the way. When we add John’s Gospel to the timeline, however, we see that Jesus made several trips to Jerusalem and Bethany before the final trip to Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week.
Here is what I think is the most reasonable explanation.
First, Matthew, Mark and Luke condensed the story of Jesus’ trip to Jerusalem. They write about Jesus leaving Capernaum and then omit all of the events of John 7-11. They then pick the story back up with Jesus arriving in Jericho.
Secondly, John condensed the story as well. He writes about Jesus’ time in Ephraim, omits the journey the Jericho and the events that happen there, then picks the story back with Jesus arriving in Bethany.
So Jesus left Jerusalem and traveled to Ephraim. After His stay there, He likely traveled north to link up with one of the many traveling parties that were enroute from Galilee to Jerusalem. He then made His way to Jericho and from Jericho He made the trip to Bethany, Bethpage, and finally Jerusalem.
Admittedly, the timeline of Jesus’ final journey has been the subject of debate among scholars for a long time, and there are certainly some legitimate questions about the timeline that I just suggested. Part of the issue is that no one is completely sure where Ephraim was located. Some folks place it fairly close to Bethany, and others believe it was farther north.
My point is that we can always trust what we read in the Bible to be true, even if it can seem confusing at first glance!**
Here’s what’s happening:
1. Thank you to everyone who voted on the proposed changes to the By Laws. The changes were approved unanimously. The elders will now work to fill all of the “slots” on the newly approved ministry teams.
2. As I mentioned on Sunday, we are cancelling the Lenten Prayer service scheduled for Tuesday 3/10 to avoid conflicting with Meat Canning. We knew that this was a possibility but went ahead with the date because the last couple of years ABCF wasn’t needed in the evenings for Meat Canning. That will NOT be the case this year! There is a sign-up sheet in the lobby for Meat Canning…many hands make light work! I will be sending out a prayer guide for folks who would like to pray at home.
3. SUNDAY –Holy Communion & Double Nickels luncheon.
4. Tuesday, March 10 – Solanco Meat Canning from 3:30 – 7:30 pm.
5. Thursday, March 12 – Youth Group and Quilt Knotting at 6:30 pm at the church.
6. Sunday, March 15– Youth Group Bowling at Timber Wolfe Bowling Alley in Oxford from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.
7. Tuesday, March 24 – Lenten Prayer Service at 6:30 pm at the church.
8. Thursday, March 26 – Youth Group and Quilt Knotting at 6:30 pm at the church.
9. Sunday, March 29 – Youth Group Luncheon after Church
10. Save the Date – On June 14 the Double Nickels are planning to have a Car Show as an outreach event. It will take place right after the worship service. More details about this event are coming soon.
Jesus is in Bethany enjoying a formal dinner that is being held in His honor. The evening is interrupted, however, by Mary’s unexpected act of extravagant love and worship. On Sunday we will study John 12:1–8 and we will look at Mary’s devotion to Jesus and how it reveals what true worship really costs.
Enjoy the day!
Scott
This website has an interactive map that puts the events of Jesus’ life in a chronological order that harmonizes all four Gospels. It may be helpful to you to check out!