Encounters with Jesus - Pt 7

Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. (Luke 7:11-17 ESV).

The next encounter with Jesus I’ve chosen is “the widow of Nain.” Our reading gives us the background. There’s a wonderful gem of truth tucked into our reading today. Jesus sees this woman and has “compassion on her” (v. 13). Then he speaks to her with the strangest response, “Do not weep” (v. 14). When death had come a second time to rob this woman of love and companionship leaving her vulnerable and alone it seems strange that this would be the expression of compassion Jesus would choose. Jesus knew a greater truth. Death is not our deepest pain; it is not the ultimate loss or the final separation. Deeply moved by her grief, Jesus shared the widow's pain. And, deeply aware that death is an alien, an intruder, a temporary and unwelcome tenant on this planet, he grieved with the grief of God over his world disabled, disenfranchised, damaged and damned by sin and death. However, Jesus knew that he had the power to reverse this tragic scene. He put his hand on the coffin and spoke into the darkness and devastation of death: “Young man, I say to you, arise!” (v. 15). It would be a cruel, heartless joke if nothing were to happen. However, this was no joke. In the authority of the Creator of all things, with a power no mere human has, Jesus spoke life to this woman’s son. In incredulous awe the accompanying crowds watched as the young man sat up and began to talk. The Lord of life had spoken. Death itself fled before his word. There is meaning here for us. Jesus gave us a preview of his death and resurrection and a preview of our resurrection. He graphically demonstrated that he has both the authority and the ability to undo this ultimate of sin's impacts. It is no wonder that “fear seized them all” (v. 16). They knew that someone far beyond a mere man stood before them. I wonder how many times we have cowered before our painful circumstances and forgotten whose child we are. I encourage you to renew your strength today in the face of the compassionate all-powerful God who is you Father! He has come to help His people!