The Significance of Jesus Ascending from Bethany

When I read the Ascension passage today, I was struck by Jesus ascending from the place of Bethany. Bethany was the place where He had mourned with Mary and Martha, where He had miraculously resurrected Lazarus, where He encountered Simon the leper, and where He was anointed by Mary of Bethany just before His death. 

It was the place where He had said that you will always have the poor, but you will not always have me, before He was led into His Passion, death, and resurrection.

It was also a place of rest and respite for Jesus. He sought refuge in this town among His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

During the Ascension, it is now the place where Jesus promises that He is sending the promise of His Father to them. We know this is the Holy Spirit, intended to be with us and inflame the fire of our faith and love.

Bethany must have had special significance to Jesus. It was a place of miracles, encounter, intimacy, friendship, rest and refuge, great love, death and resurrection, ascension, and the promise of the Holy Spirit – what I would call the major marks of Jesus’ life on earth.

Historically, ancient Bethany was considered a place of care for the sick. Even in the Gospels, there is an association between Bethany of caring for those who are unwell in the Gospels. Lepers were thought to have settled there. Jesus’ words while in Bethany convey that the poor are among them in this town. Care for the poor and healing of the sick are profoundly linked to Jesus’ mission.

So today on this feast of Ascension, it’s worth reflecting on Bethany and all that happened there involving Jesus. Perhaps Bethany has something to remind us of on this Ascension day of Jesus’ life and legacy.