Background

Jesus arrives in the town of Nain on the very day that a tragedy struck. A young man, a widow’s son, had died that same day. At the entrance gate to the town Jesus met up with funeral procession. This had to be “divine timing” The mother was heartbroken. Somewhere in her past she had lost her husband and now it was her only son, whose responsibility it was to care of her.

The message

As we follow the funeral procession we discover some amazing truths about Jesus.

1 Jesus’ heart of compassion.

Verse 12 and 13 we read, “the Lord saw her” and “His heart went out to her” In this situation, without Jesus knowing who she was, His heart was filled with compassion for her.

What does this reveal to us about Jesus?  No sorrowful heart or tormented spirit escapes His attention.

The Lord does not forget about us, even if we feel alone, rejected and bewildered, or in pain and sorrow. He is not selective. He sees everyone He created.

2 Jesus’ authority

Verse 14 “He went up and touched the coffin and those carrying it stood still. There is no hesitation or objection from those who were carrying the coffin despite this being a most unusual act from a total stranger and from a Jew whose laws would have made Him “unclean”. There are no boundaries or conditions attached to Jesus’ authority nor His love. He will do what He needs to do.

3 Jesus. Amazing powers

Verse 14 “ Young man, I say to you, get up” Lets think about this for a moment. Jesus is speaking to a corpse and the corpse hears Him and obeys Him. How is this possible?. It is and was possible because of what we read in Matthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” Jesus holds the key to death. Because Jesus triumphed over death and the grave Himself, He can promise us that those who believe in Him, will live even if they have died. We do not have to fear anything, even death itself, because we when surrender our lives to Jesus we fall under His authority and Lordship.

4 Jesus, love.

In verse 15 we read “and Jesus gave him (the son) back to his mother” What a gift! Could there ever have been a more loving seen than this. A mother and her son being reunited. But not only did Jesus love this widow and her son, look at the love that was shared amongst the whole community as a result  of this miracle that Jesus performed. Verse 16 “They were all filled with awe and praised God” Their hearts were bubbling over with joy, happiness and praise, saying “God has come to help His people” How much thanks and praise do we give to Jesus when our prayers are answered. How much rejoicing is there when our testimonies are shared as a word of encouragement with others?

Some Reflection

The concluding words in this passage read “This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country” What good news, wonderful experiences, acts of love, have you and I experienced that we could share with others?

Or perhaps we are following a “bier” in our lives and being swept with fear about this circumstance or situation. This scripture reminds us again that we must not underestimate God. We must not shut out His Godly love, powers and authority. What looks impossible and unsolvable or appears as a crisis, could possibly become the mightiest miracle and the strongest testimony to the working of God in our lives. If we ask the Lord to touch our “bier” of circumstances, He can make our funeral procession turn back. (Isak Burger – Day by day with Jesus)

Prayer
Because You are God and because You love me, I pray that You will turn my grief into joy. Amen