Jesus Stops A Funeral - Part II

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%207:11-17&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+30:5&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2030:11&version=NIV1984

Picking up where we left off in yesterday’s post, and the funeral of a young man from the village of Nain found in Luke 7.

As Jesus and His disciples came closer to the funeral procession Luke tells us that Jesus was moved with compassion.  His heart went out to her.  Pain.  Sorrow.  Grief.  Being a ‘man of sorrows’ Himself, Jesus understood exactly what the widow was feeling.  And He cared.  So He decided to do something.  To step into the situation.  Intersecting the procession, Jesus tenderly spoke to the widow.  “Don’t cry”, He said.  Something in His voice caused her to stop her weeping.  A surge of comfort swept over her soul.

Then Jesus touched the funeral bier and the procession stopped.  I’m not sure that anybody knew what was going to happen next, even Jesus’ disciples.  I think that all of the people present that day thought that Jesus was going to pay His respects.  Perhaps even say a short prayer for the young man.  Instead, Jesus did the unexpected.  He spoke to the dead man.  “Young man, I say to you, get up!”  Wow.  I’ll bet no one there had ever heard or seen such a thing before!  But before they could even process what was going on, there was movement on the bier.  The young man was stirring!  In an instant, he sat up.  At this point I can’t imagine that those who were carrying the bier didn’t drop it!  Or faint!  There must have been a collective gasp that went through the entire procession.  And among Jesus’ disciples.  For a couple seconds no one said or did anything.  Then, realizing that the young man was indeed alive, the silence was broken by shouts of happiness.  Astonishment.  Cries of amazement came from the lips of everyone.  And shouts of praise to God! 

Luke tells us that the young man spoke.  We don’t know what he said but I’m sure it was along the lines of, “Hey, what am I doing on this funeral bier?  And why is my mother crying?  And what are all these people doing?  Just exactly what is happening here anyway?”  Then we are told that Jesus gave the woman back her son.  How can a person not cry just thinking about this happy reunion?  Mother and son back together again!  This was beyond anything that the widow could have possibly ever imagined.  Her son was alive!  Things were going to be OK after all.  God did care! 

Again, Luke doesn’t provide us with the details of what happened afterwards but certainly we can conclude that everyone went back into the city.  What a different procession that was.  Laughter.  Joy.  Happiness.  Shouts of praise and thanksgiving to God.  I imagine that Jesus and His disciples  entered the city as well.  Man, was Jesus a hero in the village of Nain that day or what?  No doubt there was a big feast and Jesus and His disciples were treated like royalty.  The entire village was abuzz over the miraculous event that had happened in their midst.  Never had anyone seen anything like this.  God had truly visited His people.  I’m sure that this miracle gave Jesus a great platform from which to speak about the Kingdom of God.  Every ear was listening.  Every heart was attentive.

What are we to take away from this passage?  How about that Jesus is near.  Nearer than we often think.  Can a tear fall from our cheeks that He doesn’t see it?  Can our heart break in two without His knowledge?  Hardly.  Not only is Jesus near, He also cares.  He died on the cross for us.  What else does He have to do to convince us of His love?  Finally, when it comes to Jesus, no situation is hopeless.  No matter how bleak things might presently look, when Jesus arrives He brings hope.  Light.  Life.  No wonder we love Him so!

So whatever situation you currently find yourself in, remember Jesus and the grieving widow.  His heart went out to her.  His heart goes out to you.  He can and will work in your situation.  And when He does you will praise Him.  For He does all things well!

Lord, I admit that there are times when You seem far away.  Times when I don’t think You know what I’m going through.  Worse yet, times when I don’t know if You even care.  Thank you for this wonderful account of how Jesus cared for a desperate, grieving widow.  And how He cares for me.  May I be encouraged today and continue to look to Jesus with faith and hope.  In His name, Amen.