This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. She and her wonderful husband were thrilled to have a son, to nurture him together, and, as proud parents, to watch him grow. But her husband died while their son was just a young man, and all responsibilities for the widow’s care fell to him. Then, another tragedy crushes her. As our story opens, the beloved son has just died, too. Do you sense the fear, the aloneness? It’s unnatural for a mother to bury her boy. Yet here she is in the fog of deep grief walking to the town cemetery to put him in the ground. Then Jesus shows up.
About this Message
Luke 7:1-17 tells us of this series of tragic events. Take the time to read this brief passage twice – once through the eyes of our hapless widow, and then again from the perspective of one of the twelve apostles.
The town of Nain is 25 miles from Jesus’ headquarters in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. It’s just off a main “highway” used to transport goods and supplies. But Scripture reveals no other purpose for Jesus making this journey except to meet this funeral procession. List the people who benefited and how they benefited by Him making this road trip.
Go Deeper Questions
You will enjoy the other two examples of Jesus raising someone from the dead. Turn to the story of Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8) and Lazarus (John 11).
Then turn to II Kings 4:1-36 and take a peek at Elisha and Gehazi with the Shunamite’s son. Find the similarities and differences between this and the story from Nain.
What does this event tell you about Jesus? If you’re a believer watching this, you understand that, spiritually, you were the dead son deserving to be buried. But Jesus comes to bring you life. Take a few minutes to thank Him.