As Far as Bethany

This sermon was preached at Glenwood and Canoe Ridge Lutheran Churches, Decorah, Iowa, on May 13, 2018. It’s based on Luke 24:44-53. If you’d prefer to listen to it, find it at https://soundcloud.com/stacey-nalean-carlson.

Jesus led his disciples out as far as Bethany.

I’m so intrigued by this turn in the story. If the disciples were to stay in Jerusalem until they had been clothed with power from on high, why does Jesus lead them out as far as Bethany? Why walk two miles together when simply stepping outside the room where they were staying would have sufficed?

He led them out as far as Bethany. As if to say, the disciples had much farther to go, but Jesus led them out only as far as this particular place.

Beginning from Jerusalem, they are to be witnesses—heralds of repentance and forgiveness—to all nations, to the ends of the earth. They have a long, long way to go after they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, after they are clothed with power from on high. Here is one last journey together with Jesus visible to them, in their midst, clearly leading them, so that in the future…when they go beyond Bethany…when they aren’t able to see him any longer…they will have this image, this reminder that Christ goes with them.

I think, too, that there might be something of significance when it comes to Bethany, specifically.

Bethany is home to Simon the Leper, in whose home an unnamed woman anointed Jesus with costly ointment. When some complained about the waste, noting how that ointment could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor, Jesus said, “You always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her” (Mark 14:7-9).

As Jesus leads his disciples out as far as Bethany, are they remembering this woman’s devotion, her love for her Savior? Are they remembering their responsibility to tell her story when they go throughout the world proclaiming the good news?

Are they remembering Simon the Leper—one who could have, should have, been shunned, but was instead embraced by Jesus? Are they remembering all the many times Jesus led them into places, into relationships, they would never have sought out on their own? Are they marveling at all the outcasts with whom Jesus shared sacred, ordinary meals? Are they wondering at whose table they might be called to sit in the future?

Or maybe they’re remembering Lazarus. Bethany was also his home. It was in Bethany that Jesus wept at the grave of his friend. It was in Bethany that Jesus was confronted by the grief of Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus. It was in Bethany that Jesus came to the tomb of his friend and “cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ [And] the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. [And] Jesus said to [the gathered crowd,] ‘Unbind him, and let him go’” (John 11:43-44).

As Jesus leads his disciples out as far as Bethany, are they remembering this miracle, this foreshadowing of the resurrection they’re now celebrating? Are they hearing that command still ringing in their ears, “Unbind him, and let him go?” Are they wondering about the bound ones they’ll meet on their journey? The ones in need of forgiveness? The ones in need of the word of grace that they will bring?

Jesus leads his disciples out as far as Bethany. He blesses them with these memories, intended both to assure them and to compel them. Bethany has been home to miracles conducted by the one whose Spirit will now empower them. Bethany has been home to pronouncements that they will now live out.

We live in a post-ascension world. We can stand, staring up into heaven, wondering about the return of our Savior, or we can be assured and compelled by those places where we have already experienced God’s power and peace.

Where is your Bethany? Where have you witnessed miracles? Where have you heard God’s word? Where were you called out beyond established boundaries? Where did you experience surprising joy in the midst of grief?

Go there in your mind’s eye. Maybe it’s the hospital room or the bedside. Maybe it’s by the lake, or in the field, or on the mountain top. Maybe it’s the birthing suite or the graduation ceremony. Maybe it’s Bible Camp. Maybe it’s right here.

Where is your Bethany? Where did you marvel at someone’s depth of devotion? Where were you inspired by someone’s dedicated love? Where did you witness life springing from death? Where did you experience the freedom of forgiveness?

For a long time now, I’ve had a picture of the lighthouse at Cana Island in my office. I purchased that picture so that I would always remember the power and peace of God that I experienced on Cana Island, perhaps my first Bethany. I was there with my family—my newly formed family at the time—as my mom had recently re-married and this was our first family vacation all together. Today, it’s a trip I would love. But then, it was miserable…at least from my perspective.

But when we got to Cana Island, in Door County, Wisconsin, this teenage girl who had rarely been beyond the borders of Iowa, was awed by Lake Michigan, by the vast stretch of the water, by the pounding of the waves. That endless water made me feel small—in a good way—and somehow put everything in perspective for just a moment. I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to get back in the car. I wanted desperately to stay there. And for the first, and maybe only time on that trip, I felt the powerful presence of God and perfect peace…peace that has carried me through so many days since then.

Where is your Bethany?

Let us pray.

Dear Jesus, you led your disciples out as far as Bethany. We pray now that you would lead us wherever we need to go in order to be reminded of the power and peace that we have already experienced in you. As you assured your disciples, assure us that you will be with us always. And as you compelled your disciples, compel us to keep on going, empowered by your Spirit, to share the good news of your abiding love with all nations, all people. Amen.