At that same time, “Caiaphas, being the high priest, prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation… [and] should gather together in one the children of God… Then from that day forth, they took counsel together to put him to death.” (John 11:49-53)
My Experiences In Jerusalem
In 1987, I was invited by the Israelis to help them in improving their atomic clock system, (UTC(INPL)). I spent a week in Jerusalem at their standards laboratory, and we ended up publishing some interesting papers together. I ended up going back three more times to help them with their official clock timekeeping system for Israel. My wife was able to be with me for all four trips and five of our children were able to go to Israel as well. Being where the Savior walked and taught and worked out the infinite atonement is a life-changing experience.
During our first week in Jerusalem, a professor there prided himself in knowing all of the interesting historic places both for the Jews and Christians. Every afternoon he would take us to some fascinating place in Biblical history. I asked him if he would take us to Bethany. He was stumped—not knowing where Bethany was.
Just Where Did Bethany Go
On Friday of that week, he said, we are going to find Bethany. I knew about where it was from the New Testament. We got in his van and drove to a monastery on the south end of the Mt. of Olives, where he got directions. He then drove us to the “Bethany Souvenir Shop,” which is all that is left of Bethany. Since Bethany was the place of the tomb of Lazarus, it did not make sense.
However, two weeks later, we went on a tour with Dan Rona, a Jewish convert to our church, who was born in Haifa. He is a dear friend, and he took us to the place where it is believed that Lazarus was raised from the dead. He shared, that because of the miracle, the name of the town went from Bethany to the City of Lazarus. In Arabic is called, Alazaria. So our kind Jewish Professor added Alazaria to his list of known historical special places.
Christ’s Planned Miracle
Indeed, Alazaria is the place where the planned miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead occurred–a city given that name because of that miracle. It is interesting that the Jews had a tradition that the spirit of a dead person lingered for three days around the body. The Savior waited four days to raise Lazarus to share the “glory of God” with the world. “Jesus saith unto her [Martha], Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (John 11:4, 40)
Jesus knew that raising Lazarus from the dead would bring the Pharisees to plan for His death. But He also knew that the outcome would be the “glory of God” as He worked out the perfect and infinite atonement. This would give the world the greatest gift and miracle ever. His incomprehensible gift would save the world from sin and death by overcoming the spiritual and physical deaths brought about by the fall of Adam and Eve–so that everyone who “believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Furthering the Work
I find it fascinating that Lazarus, Mary, Martha, Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ mother Mary, the blind man, whose name was Maximum, whose healing is shared in Chapter 9 of the gospel of John went to England and established the Church there. Joseph of Arimathea was their main leader and later was ordained an Apostle. There was a total of twelve of Christ’s followers who went there. They established a Christian missionary effort greater than what is included in the New Testament.
Must Watch Videos
Pastor Andy Stanley, who has an excellent non-denominational Christian ministry shares seven signs from the Gospel of John pointing to who Christ is. The links for each of these seven sermons are below. They are all extremely informative and well done. Number six is the miracle of the Savior raising Lazarus from the dead–giving one of the seven major signs of His divinity shared by John in his gospel.
1. Momma Says: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBWt2dkSIFM
2. Living as If: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk3IFYW4ggU
3. Carry On: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7uyWIC3J5I
4. Lunch and Learn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1QcB50pvpM
5. Open Eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t27SdvAmaLo
6. CoExistence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHwUeovDnk0
7. Invitation to Believe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOuXfB0JusY
David W. Allan (26 April 2022)
PS I share additional blog articles relevant to this important message FYI
Photo: CC Pixaby Christ