Chapter 2: The Sickness

Then Lazarus got sick. Gravely sick. The man who had been healthy and present in that house was now lying down, and neither sister could do anything to stop what was happening.

Together, Martha and Mary made a decision. They would send a messenger to Jesus. Jesus was in Perea, the region east of the Jordan River, where John had once baptized. To reach Him, the messenger would travel east from Bethany, descend through the Judean wilderness down to Jericho, cross the Jordan River, and continue into Perea. It was a journey of several days. Every hour on that road was an hour Lazarus did not have.

MARTHA“Find Jesus beyond the Jordan and give Him this message.”

MARTHA“Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.”— John 11:3

Inside the house, Lazarus was getting worse. Neighbors began to appear at the door. And the road to Perea was long.