And He left them and went out of the city into Bethany and lodged there. Matthew 21:17
When most of the great conquerors of world history arrived in the capital city of a country they were taking over, they usually found the most luxurious accommodations in that city to use as their homes. These were often the palaces of conquered kings or the mansions of defeated military leaders. This was all part of their demonstration of taking over the country. But when we find the Lord Jesus making His triumphant arrival in Jerusalem, with the crowds hailing Him as the Son of David, we do not see him setting up a base in the city at all. As our text indicates, He spent the day in the city but departed before nightfall to take accommodations elsewhere. Why did He not remain in the city?
One reason why the Lord Jesus opted not to remain in Jerusalem was the rejection of the Jewish leaders. Those men were highly displeased at the miracles He performed, the eviction of livestock and moneychangers from the temple, and at the praise He received from the children there. Although He entered Jerusalem in fulfillment of prophecy, the nation was not prepared to accept Him as their king. His arrival provided them the opportunity to do so, but they turned it down. So He did not deign to dwell in their midst, or reside there for even one night. His departure to abide in Bethany was a great shame against the nation that should have welcomed Him. The Lord Jesus also refuses to dwell today in places that reject Him.
Another reason why the Lord Jesus departed from the city was so He could dwell in the little village of Bethany. What did Bethany have that Jerusalem lacked? Bethany had His friends. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were there, and others as well. These dear folks had welcomed Him and accepted Him. Their love for Him was great, and they delighted to have Him in their midst. If this sounds a little familiar, it should. Today, the Lord Jesus refuses to dwell in the palaces of the great of the earth but promises to reside in the company of the few who welcome and worship Him. Outside the camps of Judaism and the so-called Christian religion, the Lord Jesus is pleased to lodge in the little Bethanys that gather to His name alone. He delights to be in the presence of those who like Lazarus are thankful for being given life, those like Mary who sit at His feet to learn from Him, and those like Martha whose joy is to serve Him.
To the world, Bethany wasn’t much of a place. But to the Lord Jesus, Bethany had what it took to be His home. Does your Assembly meet His criteria? -Jim MacIntosh