Luke 7:11-17
“11 Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12 As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” 17 This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.”
Jesus saw a funeral procession going by and had compassion for the weeping mother. The Greek word used for compassion means deeply moved, down to one’s very soul; to the depths of one’s heart.
It is not the dead son that triggers such compassion in Jesus’ but the emotions of the mother. It is also important to note that the woman did not seek Jesus out or ask Jesus for his help. Her faith or lack of faith is never mentioned by Jesus.
Why did Jesus offer His help? The woman was a widow. Her son had just died. A widow in the time of Jesus had no other means of support other than a husband or a son. A widow in such a situation had to rely on the charity of her neighbors. The son’s death meant a life of uncertainty and suffering for the widow.
The resurrection of the young man from the dead represented healing and life for both the man and his widowed mother. It also caused a great hope and consciousness of God among the people of the community.
In the same way, the resurrection of Jesus gives Christians today the hope and assurance of eternal life, and fills our current lives with joy and abundance.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)
May the love of Christ be with you,
Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)