Too Much Life

Too Much Life

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Bethany was a little town just about 2 miles from the gates of Jerusalem and during his earthly ministry it became a favorite place for Jesus to stop as he traveled. The name Bethany is interpreted to mean many different things, depending upon which scholar you listen to and their own frame of mind while doing the interpreting.

House Of Answering,

House Of Now,

House Of Cohabitation

House Of Poverty

House Of Depression

House Of Misery

I find it quite interesting that this place, with so much negative meaning attached to it, became the only place near Jerusalem and the Temple where Jesus felt he could relax and feel welcomed no matter how often he came knocking at the door.

How did this little town become Jesus’ only place that could feel like home? It was because of one of the great miracles that he had performed for his friends who had come to know the Lord and honor him. Bethany was the home town of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, and the bible tells us in John 11:5, that “… Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

That love that developed between Jesus and this family in Bethany was born out of mutual respect and honor that they gave to Jesus as the Messiah. I have no doubt that Lazarus and his two sisters were convinced of the reality of who Jesus was and they did everything in their power to provide a place of rest for Jesus, and to demonstrate their love for him.

The relationship with Jesus and this family in Bethany had been there long before the day came when that mutual love and respect was sealed forever through the raising of Lazarus from the dead!

I don’t expect that anything in this life is more powerful in cementing a perfect relationship with Jesus than having him perform great miracles of healing and giving of eternal life, or raising us from a place of despair and great need through his miracle working power! How can we do anything else but love the Lord and be willing to serve him after that!!

The house of Lazarus, Mary and Martha had truly been in Bethany in so many ways. Through Lazarus’ death they had become a House Of Poverty, a House of Misery, a House of Depression, but through the resurrection Power of Jesus their House of Now had become a House of Answering and a House of Cohabitation with Jesus always welcomed.

It's not hard to form a bond of love when such a respectful and caring relationship is always present. Even though Jesus, as the very Son of God, loves all men equally; it would not be hard to imagine that Jesus, as very man, God in the flesh, would welcome and count the love of his friends so dearly.

The home of Lazarus in Bethany surely became a House Of Now, for when Jesus desired to stay, it was always ready! At whatever time it was; morning, noon, evening or in the midnight hour, when Jesus came knocking, NOW was always a good time.

And as the door was opened wide to allow him in with gladness and a warm welcome, and an offer to do whatever Jesus asked or needed, this little house in Bethany also fulfilled its name as House of Cohabitation as the Son of God was welcomed into the hearts of men who were always ready to show their true love.

Let me ask this morning, “Is there anyone here who would be described as a Bethany in our time?” When Jesus comes knocking at your door, are you always ready to fling the door wide and let him come in?

Too many people are Christian in name only, but their hearts are far from where they need to be in their relationship with Jesus. We speak of our love for Jesus, but when he comes near we tend to back away and try to ignore the fact that he is there knocking.

“Not now Jesus, I’m too busy!” I have Too Much Life of my own to live and I don’t have time to be committed to doing a work for you that will require more of my life than I’m willing to give right now. Come back another time! Maybe I’ll be ready then. You require too much life from me. It’s like that old country song from years ago that says, “I hear you knocking but you can’t come in!”

“I hear you knocking Lord, but I’m just too tired to answer! This just isn’t a good time to come by and ask me to be a server, to go beyond my self-imposed limitations and believe that I can do anything more for you Jesus.” I know that I live in the “House Of Answering” and that I should answer your call, but my answer for now must be NO! I’m just not ready to take on anything more!