I hadn't thought about how many times Bethany is mentioned and how important it was for Jesus. A place where Jesus was welcomed - may our hearts be a Bethany in the midst of a harsh world. Some creative liberties but some very fine insights. ( )

When the Creator came to his creation and dwell as human among other Jews, Jesus Christ, was rejected in every place, except for one. Frank Viola wrote God’s Favorite Place on Earth about that one small village, Bethany, just outside Jerusalem, and home to Simon the leper, Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. Main narrative is from the viewpoint of Lazarus. Jesus' many visits to Bethany and his encounters with this family inspire believers globally struggling with fear, suffering, the object of our worship, rejection, healing and resurrection.
With intermezzos to step outside the home and village and review the exact biblical verses, the bigger picture, it's more than a paraphrase of a couple of famous stories in the gospels. Viola's referring to his other books on Jesus Christ, the eternal plan God has with his children and the hope Bethany still holds for us today. Because it was from Bethany Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and promised to return to this very place. Well-written, a warm and personal narrative, and provoking thoughts. A series of group study questions are added for further reflections. ( )

A book of comfort. A book of challenge.
I had never realized the amount of time Jesus spent in Bethany prior to reading Viola's newest release, 'God's Favorite Place on Earth'. Viola presents a good case for Jesus' attachment to the people and the place that captured his favour. People who welcomed and received Christ, providing hospitality, honour, friendship and love. All responses we are encouraged to offer as our own Bethany invitation to Christ.

To move past performance mentality of serving as exemplified by Martha at our initial glimpse into this home in Bethany. To pursue relational living with the Lord as seen in Mary 's response. Casting aside gender and cultural restraints to be who she is called to be, Mary leaves propriety to wholeheartedly invest herself, her time, her efforts for the worth that is Christ. A worth that increased in her relational pursuit, culminating in the ointment poured upon the object of her affection, her heart's desire, her Lord. Viola would that we recognize Mary's 'waste' and make it our own. Recognize that what religion and religious of our day consider service or ministry is often the real 'waste' when worship is God's heart cry for his 'friends' to follow...

This particular point also spoke to a recent conversation on property ownership
vs communal living where all things are shared.
Christ never suggested personal property ownership was sin. Mary's fragrant offering was hers to give, revealing a heart of generosity. She owned the perfume; the perfume, valuable as it undeniably was, did not own her. There's the heart of the issue. For the rich young ruler, his personally owned property owned his heart. Thus, Jesus' solution to his particular issue wasn't a wholesale solution or command to every follower. We're called to have Mary hearts of worth and worship toward our Saviour, whatever our financial situation.

A beautifully novelized telling from Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, of their times spent with their friend, Yeshua Jesus. Insights gained from those times, his own death and resurrection foretelling Christ's own. The deathbed counsel of his so-called friends reminiscent of Job's counsellors; there's definitely got to be some sin in there somewhere Lazarus! Or some lack of God's abilities or God's heart isn't toward you. How common to the religious minded to confront and affront another, all, supposedly, in service to God.
But not in the truth of Christ's Spirit of Love and Compassion.
Mercy that fails not...

Thought provoking and life changing challenges from Viola, if allowed to search and cleanse our own heart; to move us toward becoming a Bethany that welcomes and creates sanctuary for Christ and His nature to become our self-image.

Rich with narrative, scripture background to each chapter, and practical applications such as our position in prayer.
Beggars coming before God?
Or from the place of ascendancy provided through Christ's ascension?
Are we seated with Christ in heavenly places?
Or still lacking boldness to enter God's throne of Grace
through the completed work of Christ in His death, resurrection and
Ascension?

A book to inspirit new perspectives in living out the Bethany experience as well as invitation to make our churches Bethany communities that welcome and promote Christ in relation and reality.

Highly recommended for those who are pursuing more than religious form and function,
those who desire to live an ascendant life,
or those who are curious.




*David C Cook provided an ebook copy to read and review without obligation. Thank you for the opportunity. ( )

Author Frank Viola argues that Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Simon the Leper, was God's favorite place on earth because it is where Jesus went to relax and where He ascended into heaven. He examines the scenes throughout the life of Christ set in this village near Jerusalem. He embellishes the narrative with additional source material taken from first century sources so that the modern reader gets a feel for the material. This part is written from the viewpoint of Lazarus. I did not really think that part was all that effective. It felt like I was reading fiction. He then includes the actual Scripture which in my opinion could have stood alone without the earlier embellishment. The third and longest part of each chapter is a discussion and Bible study of the verses. It's not really a formal commentary although in places he approaches the study in that manner. In other places it is more of a discussion of the narrative. This book would be a good personal Bible study book or perhaps a book that could be used in a small group Bible study setting in a church. This review is based on an advance e-galley received by the publisher through NetGalley for review. ( )