I have two very special friends in my life. Whenever I am in their home; I feel loved, honored, respected, welcomed and secure enough to just be me. My friends have invited me to their home for dinner and on special occasions. I have also showed up unannounced, anytime of the day or night. The reception is always the same – welcome!

      There has never been a time when I have felt uncomfortable or unwanted, and when I leave, I always leave refreshed and encouraged.

      The church of the living God should be a place where people can be welcomed and ministered to. Jesus had a wonderful place where He could go and be ministered to and at the same time find enjoyment. I know we normally do not associate the Lord with having to find a place where he could enjoy Himself and be ministered to, but He did have such a place.

      Jesus had this favorite place where he could go rest and be ministered to, this place was called Bethany. The bible says that whenever Jesus went to Jerusalem He would return to Bethany to spend the night.

      “Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.” Matthew 21:17 (NLT)

      This was a regular pattern in the life of Jesus; He went to Bethany either before or after spending time in Jerusalem.

      The church should be our spiritual Bethany. Why did Jesus love Bethany? Jesus preferred going to Bethany over Jerusalem because in Jerusalem He was continuously pursued and rejected by the religious leaders of His day. They conspired and opposed Him at every turn. Religious leaders set traps for Jesus; they ridiculed His ministry and finally they carried out their main objective, which was to put Him to death in that same city.

      In Bethany, Jesus was welcomed with open arms by Mary, Martha and Lazarus, people who were family to Him. They accepted Him as He was; He was welcomed in their home. They lavished him with love, respect and honor; most of all He was allowed to be Himself. They drew deeply upon His wisdom and teaching.

      The Church of the living God should be a Bethany in our lives. We need a place like Jesus, where we can experience the same kind of love and acceptance lavished upon Him by His loved ones and family. Like Mary (John 12:3-7), our best Bethany should be in the presence of the Lord.

      Jesus still seeks a place where He is welcomed with open arms, received unconditionally, and obeyed as He shares His wisdom and inspiration. I pray that NCF or your local church is such a place. A place where people who are hurting, confused can find love, acceptance and restoration.

      Do you have a Bethany?

Be Blessed,
Bishop Jemmott