What lessons from John 11:18 can we apply to our spiritual journeys today? Context within John’s narrative • John 11 opens with Lazarus gravely ill in Bethany. Verse 18 notes, “Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away.” (John 11:18). • Fifteen stadia ≈ two miles. This small village sat on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives—close enough to the religious center of Jerusalem to feel its pressures, yet far enough to be a quiet refuge. • Jesus has just decided to return to Judea despite threats against His life (John 11:7-8). Bethany’s nearness to Jerusalem heightens the tension and underlines the courage of His decision. Why the distance matters • Proximity to danger: Within two miles lay the very leaders plotting against Jesus (John 11:53-54). • Access to hope: Within the same two-mile walk, grieving sisters would soon witness resurrection power. • Strategic placement: Bethany functioned as a staging ground for several pivotal moments—Mary and Martha hosting Jesus (Luke 10:38-42), the Triumphal Entry’s starting point (Mark 11:1), and the Ascension’s backdrop (Acts 1:12). God often chooses seemingly marginal places close to great events. Spiritual principles we can embrace today 1. Nearness of divine help • Even when danger or opposition feels “just down the road,” God’s deliverance is equally close. “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). 2. Courageous obedience • Jesus walked toward the threat because obedience outweighed self-preservation. Following Him may call us to step into uncomfortable zones—but never alone (Hebrews 13:5-6). 3. Small steps, significant outcomes • Two miles separated despair from miracle. A single act of faith—calling, visiting, praying—can bridge the gap between someone’s grief and God’s glory (Galatians 6:9). 4. Strategic positioning for witness • Like Bethany, our homes, workplaces, and communities sit “near” people who need to see Christ’s life-giving power. We are placed purposefully (Acts 17:26-27). 5. Anticipation of resurrection life • Lazarus’s rising near Jerusalem foreshadowed Jesus’ own resurrection. Every believer lives within reach of that same resurrection power (Ephesians 1:19-20). Putting these truths into everyday practice • Evaluate the “two-mile” opportunities around you—relationships or situations where God may use you as a conduit of hope. • Replace fear-based avoidance with faith-based engagement; step toward, not away from, spiritually needy or hostile environments. • Remember that God often works in the ordinary places of life. Expect His intervention in commutes, classrooms, kitchens, and coffee shops. • Let Bethany remind you that no location is random; view your address as a God-given platform to display resurrection power today. |
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