Chapter 4: The Road

After two days of waiting, Jesus told His disciples it was time to go to Bethany. The same two days He had stayed in Perea after receiving the message were now over.

DISCIPLES“Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone You, and You want to go back there?”— John 11:8

JESUS“Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.”— John 11:9

Jesus was telling them He was operating inside a window of time given to Him, and that window had not closed. Then He told them something that no new messenger had brought Him. He simply knew.

JESUS“Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”— John 11:14-15

The disciples looked at one another. Thomas spoke.

THOMAS“Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”— John 11:16

Thomas did not understand what was about to happen. But if Jesus was walking back into danger, Thomas was not going to stay behind.

Jesus and His disciples left Perea, crossed the Jordan River, and began the long climb through the Judean wilderness toward Bethany.