The House of Agony
Bhqania -- that is the Greek word for “Bethany.” We know that it is the name of a little town just outside of Jerusalem about four miles. Mary, her sister Martha, and their brother Lazarus lived there. Jesus visited them several times, including one time when he actually raised Lazarus from the dead. He also used their home as a headquarters place during the last week before his crucifixion, going back and forth from Jerusalem to Bethany each day, spending his nights in Bethany.
That name, Bethany, in the Greek language, means “House of Agony,” so you kind of wonder, don’t you, why the founders of this church choose that name? It seems like a really strange name for a church when you think about it. It has been interesting to me that when I come into a new church as an interim pastor and I look out over the congregation on a Sunday morning, at first, EVERYONE looks soooo GOOD! Everyone is in their “Sunday Best” they seem to have smiling faces and don’t seem to have any cares or problems. Every church that I have served as an interim, the people of the congregation always welcome me. But it doesn’t take long before I begin to see “The Agony” of the people. It may be job loss, family problems, health issues, death in the family, difficulties at school or any of a number of things – but see them you do!
I have been your interim pastor for just about five months now and behind the smiling faces you have slowly allowed me to look inside and see some of the pain and yes “Agony” that a lot of the members of Bethany face. So, maybe the name is not so strange, but maybe very insightful into our human condition. Because, you don’t have to live very long on this planet before you see and experience human “Agony.” It is a part of our life.
Luckily for us, God has provided a way “THROUGH” the agony. Not around it, [somehow promising that followers of Jesus will not have to be confronted with agony, ] but through it. Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. AND REMEMBER, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE END OF THE AGE. [Matthew 28:18-20] We may not be able to avoid the “Agonies” of life, but in the midst of them, Jesus is with us, holding us in love, upholding us with forgiveness, and offering his presence right alongside us, not only for this life, but forever!
Pastor Jim Steinbrecher
Interim Pastor
top