Good morning…
Have you ever read the following Bible story? Until yesterday, I had not. Listen with me to this incredible account, and let’s ponder together what God is saying to us today.
…Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today” (Luke 7:11-16, NLT).
When Jesus happens upon this mourning mother, his heart overflows with compassion and his lips say, “Don’t cry!” Crying is a natural response to loss. Why would Jesus say to this widow, “Don’t cry?”
My mind conceives one possible answer.
Jesus completely understands the healing power at hand, and instead of focusing on “all” that seems lost, he focuses his attention on “all” that is being gained. “Don’t cry, I am here. My presence carries power.” “Don’t cry, those who die come back to life in new ways.” “Don’t cry, please remember: our Forever Father founded the art of resurrection.”
Jesus walks over to the coffin, he touches it, and he calls to the young man, “Get up.” The once-dead boy comes alive anew and begins to talk to his grateful mother. The crowd erupts in reverent awe, praising the God who miraculously sparks new life in real people.
What do we learn from this unbelievable story?
1) Death does not end our conversations with loved ones.
2) Jesus’ presence carries power and, as we live in intimate union with the risen One among us, we sit up and begin to talk with God and our loved ones in brand new ways.
3) We are invited to join the grateful crowd today, “They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them” (v. 16, MSG).
During this holiday season, my heart overflows with compassion for all those who are grieving the loss of a child or a spouse, a friend or a parent, and my lips say, “In this place of holy mystery, keep talking through your tears as God visits you today.”
…Sue…
