Editorial March 27, 1937 Issue

"As far as to Bethany"

George Shaw Cook

The Gospels tell us that after the resurrection Jesus was seen first by Mary Magdalene, later by the two on their way to Emmaus, and afterwards by the disciples at different places where they were gathered. Finally, when he was with the disciples in Jerusalem, just before the ascension, Luke's Gospel records that "he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven."

It is interesting to note that Jesus chose for the scene of his departure from his friends "the town of Mary and her sister Martha," where previously he had raised their brother, Lazarus, from the dead. Jesus was not accustomed to act impulsively. His acts were the result of his demonstration of divine intelligence, and were always in harmony with and in obedience to the will of God. As he himself said at one time, "I do always those things that please him." Therefore it may be assumed that in choosing Bethany as the place for his ascension, he did so deliberately and as the result of divine leading.

Through his constantly growing understanding of the allness of Mind, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter, Jesus could, without doubt, have made the demonstration of ascension while yet in Jerusalem. However, he led his friends forth from Jerusalem, where he had been misunderstood, hated, tried, and crucified, to the place where he had been loved and appreciated, and where he had made his most wonderful demonstration for others, namely, the restoration to life and action of his friend, Lazarus, after he had been in the tomb four days. May not Jesus' choice of Bethany, then, have been due to the fact that there he was sure to find a friendly and sympathetic mental atmosphere? Conversely, it is written of him (Matthew 13:58) that in a certain other place "he did not many mighty works ... because of their unbelief." Viewed in this light, it seems quite natural that Jesus should have sought out Bethany for what Mary Baker Eddy has referred to on page 117 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" as "his mighty, crowning, unparalleled, and triumphant exit from the flesh."

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