One of my all time favorite accounts of Jesus’ life is when he traveled to a town called Nain. You can read about it in Luke 7:11-16. Just outside of town Jesus encountered a funeral procession. Luke gives us some details that help us understand how dire the circumstances were that surrounded this particular death.
The person who died was the only son of a widow. Those words tell us a lot. As a widow, she not only lost the companionship of her husband. She also lost the source of provision and security when her husband died. She was fortunate to have a son. At the death of her husband the son would have become responsible for providing and caring for his mother but now he has died too.
This woman not only was grieving the loss of the two most intimate relationships in her life but she was mourning the loss of provision and security. She officially had no one to turn to. But here comes Jesus.
I love verse 13 of Luke 7. It says, “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her…..” If you read the verses or know the story you know that he reached up and touched the coffin and said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” And you know the rest of the story.
That part of the story is exciting. I can only imagine the joy in her heart as she sees her son rise from the dead. Once again, she had hope. Once again, she had security. Once again, she had someone to watch over her.
My favorite part of the story is found in the final sentence of verse 16. It says, “God has come to help his people.”
What a great statement! God has come to help his people. If there has ever been a time when God’s people needed His help, it’s today. Be assured, God has come to help.
Always in Pursuit!
Don
In Pursuit! 