A Family From Bethany (part 4)

It was still dark out when Samuel and Eleazar reached the encampment by the Jordan. Some people had tents. Most had constructed lean-tos or slept in the open. While the majority appeared to be sleeping, a few were up talking quietly and preparing breakfast.

Samuel and Eleazar continued on to the river crossing. It was only about 30 feet wide at this location. Someone waved at them from the other side. "Come on across, it's no deeper than your knees." Samuel could not see the figure very well, but he recognized the voice.

"Is that you, Peter? You may remember me…Samuel, Lazarus' neighbor from Bethany. Some of your group stayed at our house when Jesus came to Jerusalem on a few occasions."

"Yes, Samuel, Shalom. What brings you from Bethany at such an hour? Cross over, you and your friend, and join us for breakfast. Jesus should be back soon. He gets up early most days and goes off by himself to pray."

"Are you sure it's not to get away from your snoring, Peter?" Everyone laughed. The voice was that of John, Peter's closest friend and fishing partner from Capernaum. "Come, Samuel, but if you prefer, my friend Peter knows how to walk on top of the water and can bring you over dry."

Peter didn't mind being kidded about the time he had stepped out of the boat during a storm on the Sea of Galilee to walk toward Jesus. As long as he had kept his eyes on Jesus he was okay, but when he got distracted by the force of the wind and the waves, he become frightened and began to sink.

"True enough," Peter smiled. "I am he of little faith, as Jesus said at the time, but at least I wasn't cowering in the boat like my good friend John." Peter chuckled and put a squeeze on John with his big arm, then gesturing again to the visitors, "Come, my friends. It's time to eat."

While they ate breakfast, Samuel told the disciples what had happened to Lazarus and how he and Eleazar had walked through the night from Jericho to get word to Jesus and bring him to Bethany as soon as possible.

"It would be dangerous for him to go," Andrew, Peter's brother, said. "That's why we're out here. Judea, and the authority of the chief priests, stops there at the river. We can't even risk going home to Capernaum or any of the other cities up north in Galilee right now."

"My brother is right," Peter broke in. "Still, Jesus has a special place in his heart for Lazarus. He'll probably go. If he does, we'll go with him."

The tops of the cliffs on the west side of the canyon were bathed with the morning sun's golden rays when Jesus came walking back into camp. "Shalom, my friends. Good day. And to you, Samuel, and your friend, welcome. What news do you bring us from Bethany?"

Samuel introduced Eleazar to Jesus and commenced to tell him what had befallen Lazarus, ending with a plea to come to Bethany and heal his friend. The disciples watched Jesus, intent on his reaction, for their own fate would depend on his decision. Jesus listened and then closed his eyes. A full two minutes passed before he opened them again and turned to Samuel.

"Go back and tell my friends Martha and Mary that Lazarus' illness will not end in death. This has happened so that the glory of God may be revealed in a powerful way. Go back, you and Eleazar. Tell them what I said. I cannot go with you. I will come when it is time."

"But, Jesus," Samuel pleaded. "It is time! Lazarus was near death when I left Bethany. Please, come with…"

"No, please. I can't. I'm sorry. Tell Martha and Mary just what I told you." Jesus put a hand momentarily on Samuel's shoulder and then turned and walked back out of the camp.

Samuel stood speechless, dejected. This was not what he had expected. This was not why he had come 30 miles with no sleep. Some of the disciples were relieved not to have to go anywhere close to Jerusalem, but most of them were as confused as Samuel. They had never seen Jesus put his own safety over the needs of a friend before.

Samuel and Eleazar rested up for a few hours and returned to Jericho before sunset when the Sabbath began. As with all observant Jews, they kept the Sabbath as a day of rest. Tired from their journey, they slept most of the day. Eleazar had decided to accompany Samuel to Bethany. They left Jericho shortly after sunset. It was uphill all the way to Bethany, but the night was comfortable. All the bandits must have been sleeping, for which they were thankful to God, for they saw no one at all along the twelve mile route.

There were still lights burning in the house of Lazarus when they arrived close to midnight. They went in to give them Jesus' message, but it was too late. Lazarus was dead.  (to be continued)