Tuesday: The Son of the Widow of Nain
The Bible says that Jesus “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38, NASB). Indeed, all the Gospels are full of accounts of Jesus ministering to many needy and hurting souls, which is why later many Jews came to believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
“There were whole villages where there was not a moan of sickness in any house, for He had passed through them and healed all their sick. His work gave evidence of His divine anointing. Love, mercy, and compassion were revealed in every act of His life; His heart went out in tender sympathy to the children of men. He took man’s nature, that He might reach man’s wants. The poorest and humblest were not afraid to approach Him. Even little children were attracted to Him.” — Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, Pages 11, 12.
Read Luke 7:11-17. What important difference is there between what happened in this resurrection and the ones we looked at yesterday?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
During His ministry in Galilee, Jesus healed the sick and expelled demons. One time He and His followers were approaching the gates of Nain when a funeral procession was going through those gates. In the open coffin was the only son of a widow, who was weeping inconsolably. Full of compassion for the grieving mother, Jesus said to her, “Do not weep.” Then Jesus turned to the dead son in the coffin and ordered him, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” The son came to life and Jesus “presented him to his mother” (Luke 7:13-15, NKJV). The presence of Jesus completely changed the whole scenario, and many people who had witnessed the miracle knew not only that something astonishing had happened, but that someone special (they called him “a great prophet”) was among them.
Both the Phoenician widow (1 Kings 17:8-24) and the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:18-37) had asked for help — from Elijah and Elisha, respectively. But the widow of Nain was helped without her even asking for it. This means that God cares for us even when we are unable or feel unworthy to ask Him for help. Jesus saw the problem and dealt with it — so typical of Jesus through all His ministry.
| True religion involves caring for orphans and widows around us (James 1:27). Though, obviously, we won’t be able to do the kind of miracles Jesus did, what can we do to minister to those who are hurting around us? |
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It is most amazing that Jesus met the funeral procession just by the gate, coming in, as they were on their way out, to bury the dead. Any slight delay, or hastening, might have meant no resurrection of this young boy. Interesting that the Bible speaks of him as the only son of his mother, so might not necessarily have been an only child, but either way, God gave proof that He could resurrect, at a time whereby Sadducees said there was no Resurrection, Acts 23:8. In today's language Christ hit two birds with one stone.
The study today makes a fair point that while we cannot do the sorts of miracles that Jesus did, we can still minister to those around us. I know there are churches that claim to perform miracles - and I am also very much aware that a fair number of these so-called miracles are "theatre".
Having someone throw away their crutches in church after a public laying on of hands may be quite dramatic, but the miracle of a changed heart may not be as eye-catching and is ultimately more important.
I prayed for a miracle during my last couple of years with Carmel's stepfather. As you know we have spent a fair bit of this year going back and forth to Queensland to care for both parents. Dad had not grown old graciously and was often angry. He was cognitively sound but emotionally unstable. My prayer was that he would make peace with us, himself, and with God. I remember particularly one night he went into a rage around midnight about some minor thing. This went on for about an hour and a half until I finally put my arms around him and said, "We love you, Dad!" He collapsed into my arms and was soon sound asleep.
During the last week of his life, his mind cleared enough for him to make his amends with us, and with God. A week later he died peacefully with the four of us present.
Old age can be a bit of a bitch for some people but our prayer had always been that Dad would know that in spite of it all, he was loved by God and us. He knew that in the end.
Was that a miracle?
Dear Maurice - thank you for sharing your experience. You ask if your Dad's peace is a miracle. If we consider miracles as 'supernatural' events, I do not think that him receiving 'peace' was a miracle.
It provides a good example of the evidence that God reaches out to us through loving acts of kindness shared with others. Your hug, as I see it, became a beautiful example of the power of His Love reaching out through you. Your Dad's response to it was to settle down, become peaceful. This is a special Peace which only our heavenly Father can give the living soul.
I thank our heavenly Father for covering your and your Dad's needs with His loving kindness!
We just had a rather large family birthday party. A couple days after the event and everyone was done eating lasagna and garlic bread. In the back of my mind the whole time I had this wish to share all this food. The town I'm in has a fair-sized homeless population. In fact, I had just read a newspaper article all about it, how town officials are looking into more solutions. And on a more personal level, I've been interacting with several individuals on the street.
In particular, a woman named Heather tugs at my heart. There is a sincerity about her and a grit to survive her numerous health issues and harrowing life experiences. I wanted to share the lasagna. So I heated up three plates full, with warmed garlic bread and a pop of salad and a sturdy gold-flecked plastic fork, stapled them closed and headed out while my Mom was napping. I was praying that I might find Heather and that God would lead me to just the right 3 individuals who could use a little love on a plate. It was a lot of joy for me when I drove onto the street where I'd seen Heather about 6 weeks before and there she was. And amazingly there were 2 other women with her. That's all, just 3 people. Perfect. I parked and jumped out and asked everyone if they'd like some warm food. One of the ladies was 6 months pregnant, and she was beaming about her kids, about this moment, about everything it seemed. We hugged.
I sat down to chat more with Heather as the other 2 left. She had a bucket of soapy water and shared how she wished she could have a bath. She never complains though. I prayed for her and she told me she prays all the time. She shared several examples of how God is looking out for her, like the polar-fleece blankets the hospital had given her and how the taxi cab drivers help out. I asked her if there was anything else she needed and one of the things she mentioned was new shoes. Sure enough, I could see that her sneakers were all ripped out.
A discount store was nearby so I popped over there and found some solid and attractive kicks for a reasonable $32.99. As I snaked through the checkout, there were other goodies like disposable handwarmers, a winter hat lined with cozy fluff, bottled water. Again I held my breath as I drove back, hoping Heather would still be there. She was; the shoes fit and new hat looked so pretty on her.
It might sound a bit cliche to say that whatever I've been able to give Heather I have received back in greater measure. It is such a blessing to me to experience God's love providing for her, both through other people and through me. It humbles me, and opens my heart. I don't know her but I really do love her and care about her. It's a connection that is as spontaneous as a funeral procession being stopped for resurrection as Jesus walks through. It is powerful how Jesus in our hearts draws us out of our 4 walls. He raises us all up! Wouldn't it be so wonderful if somehow our town could have public showers and bathing facilities for the homeless? There are always more and more opportunities for healing, renewal, rejuvenation, cleansing, in His name.
I am not sure why the author of the lesson says that obviously we will not be able to do the miracles that Jesus did, while Elijah, Elisha and Peter sure did. I even read a book a while back by a credible Adventist college professor who documented a resurrection that took place just a few years ago in Europe. Of course I understand and realize that such events are extremely rare. At the same time I would not say that it is obvious that we will not be doing the same miracles that Jesus did especially after the examples I’ve already given and the fact that Jesus Himself said,
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” John 14:12 NLT
I had that same thought William, thanks for expressing it. Matthew 17:20 comes to mind.
Please share on the resurrection story in Europe 🙂
Its been a while since I read about that in a book written by an Adventist university professor. It was one of his former students through whom God performed this miracle. I think I still have the book on Kindle and can look for more details. I was skeptical when I read it, but reminded myself I meed to keep an open mind.
God does what we cannot. He is so wonderful that He does things for us even before we can ask Him. Have you praised the Lord today already? Try to say thanks! Greater things follow a thankful heart. We owe Him everything.
Greater works lord , Greater works is my prayer.
We might need to define the phrase "greater." Does it mean better? Does it mean more widely seen? Does it mean more powerful? Does it refer to the method used?
We have evidence in our modern day of "miracles" that is in a sense greater in that they reach a wider audience of healing. For example, removing cataracts from the blinded eyes of thousands is only one instance that we too are relieving suffering in many cases. We may not be able to recreate an optic nerve, but blindness can be prevented and banished in many cases.
Suffering is alleviated in many areas with inventions and discoveries only God could have inspired. In this way, He has allowed us to provide healing for greater numbers of people.
Many deceived persons follow faith healers to try and duplicate Jesus' method of healing: a touch, a word, His physical presence, etc. Perhaps we might focus on the suffering Jesus alleviated while only in one area of the world. We might offer medical attention to those who can not afford it. Imagine many more "free clinics" in impoverished areas. That is only one area requiring healing. We have the "go ahead" to do greater works with His Spirit.