Luke 7:11-17
“Road to Nain”
I sometimes wonder what to say at a funeral when I am in charge. Perhaps one could have this to say: “When an old person dies we may say good-bye; when a younger person dies we may wonder why, but who are we to question God?” This thought might have been the sentiment of the unnamed widow of Nain whose only son was about to be buried.
This widow might remain anonymous to us, but she was not unknown, for she was surrounded by a large crowd from the town; they also met a large crowd with Jesus. Think a moment about this widow. Her husband was dead, and now her only son had been claimed by death. This meant that she now had no source of income and no one to protect her. She was alone, and it appeared that this might be her permanent condition. How long she had been a widow or a single parent we do not know. Whether or not she had been one to assist the community with its needs, we do not know. If there were other relatives who could have assisted her, like her husband’s brothers, sisters and nephews, we do not know. What is apparent is that she was well-known because a large crowd from the town surrounded her.
We are not sure either whether the young man was a teenager or young adult. It is perhaps implied that he was his mother’s sole supporter; so his death had a devastating effect on her. The death of the young decimates and devastates society all the time.
Wars, street crime, the drug scene, promiscuous sex, all mark many, especially the young, for death. “When a young person dies we may wonder why.” Social scientists have reported the alarming death rate among young black males between the ages of 15 and 35. The reason offered is that very high unemployment has inclined them to confront a racist society by resorting to violence and/or drugs. Travel around the world or our local area and think about the number of widows mourning the loss of husbands and sons. It is tragic.
There was an article a couple of years ago entitled “If I should die before I live” which brings to my mind that well-known childhood prayer: “If I should die before I wake…” which speaks to the reality confronting the young. Death, it seems, has already staked its claim on their lives before they have a chance to truly live. Events recorded daily in the media underscore this fact. For children to grow, experience the perils of teenage peer pressure, allurements and attractions defying description, escape child abuse, early pregnancy, or incarceration, is almost the exception rather than the rule. Our youth are at risk, it seems, because death has already claimed them. That is what I remember was the contention of that article.
I believe that God has always been concerned about the slaughter of the “Innocents.” Wasn’t Moses delivered from the wrath of Pharaoh? Did not an angel warn Joseph and Mary about Herod’s hatred directed toward the baby Jesus? Did not the Old Testament prophet Elisha raise a widow’s son? (2 Kings 4:18-37) Remember what Elijah did in our Old Testament reading today. (1 Kings 17:8-24)
Luke being a physician, I believe, deliberately and carefully writes this passage because in the basic text the two crowds are characterized by words that are almost identical in spelling but different in meaning. The crowds following Jesus have been attracted by his healing power, to augment life. But here in Nain (and in no other place in the Bible is Nain mentioned) the other crowd has been produced by the destructive power of death.
“When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her” (verse 13). For the first, but by no means the last, time in his Gospel, Luke calls Jesus by, we could say, his true name – “the Lord”!) Her loss touched Jesus for we could also say that Jesus knew that God would soon sit in the same pew with the widow. “Do not weep,” commanded Jesus. Then the Master of life touched the bier (verse 14). The word of compassionate command is followed in Luke’s narrative by the touch of power. There is deep symbolism in that physical act. What since the beginning of time has been a never-ending procession from the cradle to the grave is halted now for the time being.
And Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, rise! The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother” (verse 15).
The young man who had been staked out for death had life claimed for him by Jesus. Our Savior, I believe, is still in the business of claiming for life those who have been marked for death. Some of the young will escape, but others may not be so fortunate. In spite of that fact, do not despair, there is good news: Jesus still touches those lying in the casket of substance abuse, the grave of questionable lifestyles, the bier of hopelessness and says, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” Not only is there joy in heaven when that which was lost is found, I also believe that there is joy in heaven when those who are marked for death are claimed for life.
As we pray for people and lift them up to God, the compassion of Christ can bring them back from true death, which is spiritual separation from God. God can orchestrate our lives so that others can come to Christ as we show Christ’s love with our own actions of compassion. God uses our compassion to bring healing and wholeness to others.
This revival is one of three that Jesus performed, along with Lazarus and the daughter of Jairus. It foreshadows Jesus’ own resurrection after three days. Jesus showed who has the true power . . . God.
As the Son of God, Jesus still encourages us not to weep as those who have no hope. When we face our own dire circumstances, Jesus will be with us. We must remember what God has done in our lives. We must praise God and remember the awe we have felt in times past. Sometimes we forget what God has done when new challenges present themselves. At such times, remember that God’s compassion, seen in Christ Jesus, will not leave us destitute. We will never be without a way . . . for God can make a way out of no way.
The widow of Nain got her son back. We got the Son of God back after his death, and we always have him. We are never alone, never without hope, for through Christ we have the power of life itself. And this power extends into all areas of life – into our relationships, finances, desires and wants. The compassion of Christ is real, and it contains the power to make whole any area of life that is in dire circumstances. With deep compassion of Christ directed our way, we see the divine Christ, acting on our behalf to bring us back to life we have been called by God to live.
Let’s imagine we can talk to a woman who lived when Jesus was alive. Let us ask her, “Did you ever meet Jesus?” This is the story I think she would tell us.
It has been a long time now, but, yes, I did meet Jesus and he was wonderful to me. You see my husband had died when we were young. I had very little money. It was very hard. Sometimes I wondered if my son and I would stave to death. As my son got old enough to work things got better for us. Then one day my son became ill with a very high fever. I could tell he was very sick. His temperature went higher and higher. Nothing I did seemed to help . . . I got more and more frightened. During the night my son died. I was alone in the world. I did not know what I was going to do. On the way to bury my son we met Jesus. I had heard about him. I knew he could work miracles, but I thought it must be for important people- not just plain people like me. Someone in the funeral crowd told Jesus the story. He went to my son’s coffin and said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” and I could hardly believe it. My son got up and how wonderful it has been. I am too old to work any more. My son takes care of me. Yes, I met Jesus and he changed my life. I am his faithful follower!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank you for the many blessings you have allowed us to experience in our lives. We praise you for the power unto life and for your compassion and mercy. We pray for those who are hopeless and destitute, for those who have lost friends and family members, and for those who are struggling to make ends meet because they have lost their means of support. Use us to offer hope and to bring others into your presence, O Lord, even as you, by your grace and compassion, have brought us hope, we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
