Luke 7:11-17 (NIV)

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.”

Reflection:

We see the colliding of two large crowds, one walking with Jesus and the other in the midst of a funeral procession. Jesus focuses his attention on this woman, a widow without a husband and now all alone with the death of her only son. Jesus saw this widow, in some ways the epitome of the “poor” to whom Jesus had come to bring good news, in her mourning and despair, and had compassion on her (his heart went out to her). As he comforts the woman and tells her not to cry, Jesus does something so unexpected, so amazing, so incredible - something that only the Lord can do - a glimpse of more to come. He tells the young man to get up! And the dead man sits up and begins to talk! He then gives the son back to his mother, who at this point must be in disbelief at what just happened. And the result of this miracle was that everyone was filled with awe and praised God.

Responding to the Transmission:

Who can raise a dead man back to life? Only the Lord can do such a miracle. As we reflect upon this week’s message and this passage once again, may we (like all those that were with the widow) be filled with awe and praise God. Let us come with thanksgiving to our God, acknowledging the Lord’s hands in our lives (things that only the Lord could do). And let us believe for those we are praying for, that they too would experience the compassion and power of our Lord.