Travel
Diary of Mrs. R.P. Eaton:
Europe,
Egypt, and Palestine, ca. 1857
Climbing along this bleak, hilly region, amidst slight showers of rain, an hour’s ride brings us near to Bethany. Emerging from the “wilderness of Judea” we begin to ascend the southwestern slope of Olivet. Bethany comes into view. Here, as we reach the borders of the town, is the place where Martha came to meet Jesus, and in her regretful anguish greeted him: “Lord, if thou had been here, my brother had not died.” Then Mary came here and addressed Him in the same words. He was beyond the Jordan when they sent to their Lord the message— “He whom thou lovest is sick.” Down this long dreary path, through the valley, and over these dark, bleak hills, they had gazed with anxious expectations, and watched for His approach. O long sad hours and days! but, after three suns had set upon their brother’s grave, the form of Jesus was seen coming up to the ascent. And here they meet Him and heard His glorious words of Resurrection and Life and Immortality. Here came the sympathizing Jews and mingled theirs with Mary’s tears. Here the Redeemer “groaned in spirit and was troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him?” And here Jesus wept. O Bethany! How sweet and hallowed are thy associations with Jesus! How much of His human side, His precious love, His dear friendship and tender sympathy thou didst witness! The night before His betrayal, He came to visit and feast with His friends in thee. His last look upon Earth, was upon thee; for the risen Lord led His disciples “out as far as to Bethany”— to that shady ridge between thee and Olivet’s summit “and He lifted up his hands and blessed them, and was parted from them, and was carried up to heaven”
“Jesus wept: those tears are over,
But his heart is still the same;
Kinsman, Friend, and elder Brother
Is this everlasting name.