Wake - The Widow Of Nain

Luke 7:11-17

The disciples were probably in good moods as they walked at the front of an enthusiastic crowd. Jesus had just healed the servant of a respected Roman officer, and now they were moving on to a new town, Nain . . . and they ran into a funeral procession.

Funerals are usually sad occasions, but this one was particularly sad. A mother had just lost her son, and she was already a widow. With no husband and no son, she had lost all financial support. The life ahead of her looked bleak.

When Jesus saw the widow, “his heart went out to her” (Luke 7:13, NIV). Jesus walked over to her dead son, touched the frame he was being carried on, and said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” (verse 14, NIV). Of course, the young man got up.

It’s interesting that the widow never says a word in the story. She doesn’t talk to Jesus or his disciples. She doesn’t ask for anything. Still, Jesus has compassion for her. His heart goes out to her, but he doesn’t just feel bad for her. He does something about her heartache, even without her asking. Maybe she was too wrapped up in her own grief to even have noticed that Jesus was there. Who knows?

If you look around, there are always opportunities to help people who are having a hard time, even if they haven’t asked for help. Sometimes they are so involved with their problems or their heartache that they don’t think to ask anyone for help. Sometimes they don’t know you have the ability to help them, so they don’t ask you specifically.

Like Jesus, you may be able to recognize a need that can be met, even if the person doesn’t ask for help. And, like Jesus, you can jump into action and do what you can. No, you can’t raise someone from the dead, but you know what skills and abilities you have. Use them to help when it’s obvious you can.

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

1 John 3:17