Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst,"and "God has visited his people." This report about him spread throughout the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Introduction
1. Widows are a helpless group in any society regardless of their age, time and culture. They could easily become destitute in the society unable to earn a living.
2. They are vulnerable and that makes them an easy target for sexual predators, robbers and other unwelcomed people.
3. This was the situation of the widow from Nain. Her only son was her protector, supporter and hope.
4. Now that he is gone, her future was full of uncertainty – At least she thought so.
5. Then she meets our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
6. Let’s see how she was helped out of her situation by Jesus.
Read: Luke 7:11-17
A. Jesus was compassionate about her
Compassion: “Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it” (www.thefreedictionary.com)
1. Jesus’ heart broke the moment he saw the weeping widow. He didn’t wanted to put up a show with his power but to help her.
2. There are approximately 22 major religions. Approximately 42 major deities. My Sri Lankan non-Christian friends believe in a host of 33,000,000 (thirty three million) deities.
3. These deities possess power but not compassion. They wont help unless you please them with a good offering first.
4. What shall we do then? Come to Jesus in faith.
B. Jesus put himself in the widow’s shoes
1. Scholars believe that Mary – Jesus’ guardian mother was a widow too.
2. It’s possible that Joseph died long before Jesus launched his public ministry,
3. Therefore Jesus was used to support her.
4. Jesus had been there – done that!
5. Jesus is God who came down to our level. Thus he knows our sufferings.
C. Our faith turns His compassion into action
1. Jesus said to the widow and the mourners “don’t cry”. He wasn’t soothing nor ridiculing her either. He was asking her to believe in God’s power.
2. The tradition: In those days professional mourners were hired to be mourn the death of a person. Secondly Jesus was supposed to not to touch the coffin. The tradition neither permitted stopping the funeral procession. Jesus and his disciples were supposed to turn back and follow the crowd to the grave yard.
3. These traditions could have hindered God’s move if the crowd protested Jesus’ actions.
4. Don’t frame Jesus in your own culture and tradition. (Most Sri Lankans continue with their problems because for them believing in Jesus is betrayal against the culture and generational beliefs). When you come to Jesus, believe that nothing is beyond his control. Remember he was the only person among those people who could tell others not to cry.
5. This same Jesus who said, “Don’t cry”, has the power to bring His answer in His time.
D. Jesus’ word is more powerful than any other situation
1. Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, arise. (The Greek word for “arise” is “egeir?” meaning to arouse from the sleep of death, to recall the dead to life)
2. The dead man sat up and began to speak upon Jesus’ command.
3. This message itself I am preaching today is powerful enough to change situations if you believe.
E. Conclusion
1. It’s a one thing to heal the sick but another thing to raise the dead.
2. The crowd was filled with awe and praised God upon seeing this great miracle.
3. They said that a great prophet has appeared among them and God has visited his people.
4. The 2 great mistakes: A great prophet not the great prophet (Messiah, Saviour). They thought God has come to help them. But they didn’t recognize that Jesus is God himself.
5. It’s true Jesus can help you regardless of how serious is your situation. But that’s not the only thing he wants you to receive. He wants you to receive him!
6. Would you like to surrender your life to Jesus the God of compassion, love and power?
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