Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #34 God Has Visited His People

Last time, we rejoiced to hear about the healing of the centurion’s servant in Capernaum. We did not actually see him healed because Jesus did not even have to go to the centurion’s home! He simply “spoke the word” and the beloved servant was healed.

The following day, as we move on to the city of Nain, about 25 miles southwest of Capernaum, we are part of a large crowd following Jesus along with his many disciples. At this point, word has spread far and wide about the miracles, the healings, the signs and wonders, and the Word of Life shared. This man brings life wherever he goes. And this group is eager to see what will come next.

We reach the town just as the sun is going down.

Luke 7:11,12 [NKJV]
Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.
And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.

At the gate of the city, we meet another large crowd, an oncoming funeral procession for the only son of a widow of Nain. In stark contrast to our crowd, it’s death that leads the way. In traditional funeral services of that time, an orator, usually up front, proclaimed the good deeds of the deceased. Following after, flute and trumpet players, as well as mourning women, were engaged to accompany the procession with sorrowful wails and lamentation to honor the dead.

The mother, having already lost a husband, has been grievously robbed of her only son. She walks alongside the body which was wrapped in linen, carried on an open bier with face turned up, hands folded on the breast. Friends and neighbors take turns carrying the body to its final resting place. Each pause for the change of pallbearers was carried out amid great cries of lamentation echoing out from the rest of the city who followed behind.

As Jewish custom dictates, when the two large crowds meet, Jesus and his followers are obliged to give way to the funeral to show respect for the dead, and then to accompany the mourners to the burial, offering comfort and support to family and friends. But Jesus, the Prince of life, brings much more than that.

Luke 7:13,14 [NKJV]
When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”

The Lord Jesus said to her a most unusual thing, considering that she had lost her only son, her pride and joy, the one who provided for her, the only one left upon whom she could rely for companionship and care. To her Jesus said, “Do not weep.” If he had hesitated too long before his next move, surely the mourners would have begun to castigate him for his insensitivity.

But because he spoke with God-given authority, those who carried him stood still as he approached—and touched!—the open coffin. By doing so, he would immediately have been determined ritually unclean. But the life in Jesus overcame the death in the young man as Jesus commanded him to rise up.

Luke 7:15-17 [NKJV]
So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

The young man sat up and began to speak! What a joy for Jesus to then present him to his mother. Then those who had seen this miraculous event recognized the work of God wrought by this man, Jesus, whom they proclaimed to be a great prophet of God. With great awe and wonder, they began to glorify God Who had visited His people!

NEXT: Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #35 Are You the Coming One?

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