Sunday 19 November 2023

Luke 7:11-17

¹¹ Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. ¹² As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. ¹³ When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

¹⁴ Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” ¹⁵ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

¹⁶ They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” ¹⁷ This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

Jesus continues to travel through towns and villages and everywhere he goes he brings life. In this village, Nain, he brings life back to a widow’s son. We’re told that Jesus’s ‘heart broke’ (Msg) or ‘his heart went out to her’ (NIV) when he saw the widow. 

Historically, the death of her son now meant her life would be one of poverty, with no husband or sons she would have no means of income, no protection, no security, a society cast out. 

Jesus’ breaking heart shows me he is a God who cares, a God of unmerited grace, a God of great mercy, compassion, care, and provision. It was nothing that they had done, no faith is mentioned, (mother or son) just Jesus’ heart toward her.  

As a single woman, I understand the vulnerability of this widow. I too count on the same heart of Jesus, even in our culture today, being single, not married or partnered and no children, can be an oddity and disadvantage.  As I’ve meditated on this passage the Holy Spirit has strengthened me in my assurance that Jesus indeed is my provider, security, protector, he loves and cares for me, he brings life and has my future in his hands. 

Lord, I pray that all who read this today, will know without a doubt that Jesus’s compassion and heart for them and every aspect of their life is certain.   Amen.

Written by Suzie Hodgson