Bethany was Jesus’ last stop on his journey to Jerusalem; it was the last opportunity to change His mind, to rethink the plans which would culminate in His horrific passion and death on the Cross. But being obedient to the Father, Jesus pressed on, and so did His friends with Him.
Apart from being the typical Jewish custom of welcoming important guests, anointing in Bethany foreshadowed Jesus’s burial. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus – Jesus’ closest friends – knew what was coming. They knew that they would most likely not see their friend again. And so, they prepared a feast for Him, used the most expensive kind of oil to anoint Him, and attended to His needs despite the threat of persecution from the chief priests.
This must have brought tremendous consolation to Jesus. Though He was to suffer and die, He was not sent off without a proper goodbye, without being understood and honored as the Son of God. The hospitality in Bethany strengthened and fortified Jesus as He made His way to Golgotha.
It is wonderful and appropriate to celebrate joyful moments, but we cannot forget that true hospitality extends also to moments of challenge and difficulty. It is when others are in need that our careful attention and selfless consideration can make the difference. Let us be hospitable at all times, then, so that, like the friends of Jesus, we can be good friends to those around us.
