Interupting a Funeral

Introduction

It is very easy to try to say something helpful at a funeral and say something that is terribly unhelpful.

We always want to comfort someone. And we truly want them to know how much we love them, and we are sorry for their loss.

But even with the best intentions, we say thinks we shouldn’t.

That’s why, as a pastor, I always say, “I am sorry for your loss.” I share a memory if I have one, and I listen to the family. That’s all we can do, and it’s all we need to do.

Because, we can say some boneheaded things if we aren’t careful.

That brings us to today. Jesus happens upon a funeral with his disciples. And he says something that we wouldn’t dream of saying at a funeral.

“Do not weep.” Now, at the top of the list of things that we are not supposed to say at a funeral, I am going to place this at the top.

The only reason you could ever say that… is if you could do something to dry those tears. And Jesus obviously did… read with me this morning.

Luke 7:11–17 “Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.”

Explanation

Luke 7:11–12 “Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her.”

To set the stage, a man has died who is the only son of His mother. A funeral procession is taking place to carry this man out of town to be buried.

This man is dead. Because of the unclean nature of the body and how quickly a body decomposes, the funeral was likely the same day of the death. You are seeing fresh grief. Shock. Brokenness.

This man’s mother is a widow with no other children.

In ancient cultures, there was no sponsorship or care for the poor. No government entity. No social security. No disability.

If you didn’t have family, you simply died of starvation unless someone took you in or had pity on you. You had no other options, and if you were in a small town, they couldn’t fully help you even if they wanted.

This woman was mourning her own son’s death, but in a way, she has to be contemplating her own.

A considerable crowd from the town was with her. People were sympathetic to her plight, the gate was a gathering place for the Jewish people, and Jesus had amassed a following.

Luke 7:13–15 “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.”

Jesus raises this man from the dead. He doesn’t ask the woman for faith or need prompting from a disciple. He simply walks up to the funeral bier and tells the man to get up.

This man didn’t wake up groggy. He woke up, sat up, and started to talk to the people around Him.

Jesus intercepted his funeral, and instantly, it was no longer a funeral.

We see the full power of Jesus authority. We live in the greatest medical age of human history. We in the USA are right in the middle of it.

The best doctors in the world cannot save you from death. Only Jesus grants such a promise.

This brings us to the authority of Jesus.

In fact, this instance is the first time that Luke calls Jesus, “Lord.” And this is after the centurion speaks of Jesus authority. And before John the Baptist asks who Jesus is.

Jesus hands the boy to his mother. This is exactly what Elijah did to the dead son of the widow of Zarephath.

What is the connection? There is a comparison happening between Jesus and this great prophet. Jesus is the greatest prophet, but he is more than a prophet.

A prophet had to say, this saith the Lord. They prayed that God would move, and saw God act. Jesus is God.

The prophets had to say, “Thus sayeth the Lord,” meaning that God had given them a message.

Jesus says, “This sayeth me,” because He is the God with the message.

APPLICATION:Jesus raising this man from the dead is significant to our lives in so many ways. We don’t want to think about death (memento mori). When we see death for what it really is, we understand the weight of what God has done for us.

You may be reeling from the loss of someone you love. We need to remember a few things:

Jesus looked at this woman, and he had compassion on her.

Jesus wept with Mary and Martha at the death of Lazarus.

Jesus took death upon Himself.

“I am the resurrection and the life.” (john 11)

You or a family member may be wresting with a difficult diagnosis.

Jesus is a God of hope. He works in supernatural ways. You won’t take on breath more that God allows. And that goes for all of us.

Our God has not abandoned us in our sickness or illness. When we contemplate our own lives, we must remember that he brings hope.

Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

The comfort does not come from what is in the valley or not in the valley.

The comfort comes from the reality that God’s presence and guidance are with us in the valley.

Because of the empty grave, death is now a servant of the Lord.

Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” If I live, I will preach Christ, and if I die, I will see Christ. Therefore, I cannot lose.

Death is but an usher into eternal bliss for the Christ.

Charles Spurgeon: “All the glories of midday are eclipsed by the marvels of sunset.”

Jesus will one day destroy death forever.

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””

Death will be obliterated.

Luke 7:16–17 “Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.”

We respond with worship. Our God has overcome the grave! When you really believe that Jesus has resurrected YOU, it will change you.

Fear seized them all.

They glorified God.

Invitation

Let Jesus rescue you from the grave.

Worship the Lord who conquered death, itself.