Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son From the Dead in Nain

King James Version Chapter 7

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

Intro

Nain was about 24 miles from capernaum and Jesus arrived there the day after our miracles from last week. They had been walking a long way. It was probably late afternoon when he arrived.

When they arrive they see a funeral procession. A widow, whose already lost her husband, is now about to bury her son. That’s alot of sorrow to bear. That’s alot of heartache and stress. Whose going to take care of this widow? How is her basic needs going to be met.

As custom had it, there was a funeral procession with some flute players and professional mourner. The Bible says there was much people from the city who joined the procession. They took turns carrying the open casket on the way to the graveside. Probably stopping often so others could share in the task.

But then all of a sudden, Jesus and his procession meet them on the way out of the city. As custom would have it, the funeral procession should have had the right of way. But that’s not what happened. Jesus instead of getting out of the way and letting the procession pass by, He is moved with compassion.

When I read these miracles I try my best to imagine what people were feeling and what they were going though. TALK ABOUT HARDSHIPS,

God knows our burdens

Nain was a nothing town. currently the only thing that remains of this town are some tombs that were cut into the rock outside the town.

God was about to do His greatest miracle yet in this small nothing town. He was going to come meet this widow in the middle of her only young son’s funeral procession while she was under the weight of incredible grief.

God could have gone anywhere to perform this miracle, but He saw this woman and all she was going through.

You don’t think He knows your heartache, your struggle, your confusion and frustrations? God knows, and God cares.

(Adam) He knows the up’s and downs of AG plumbing

(Liz) He knows the hardships you face with your health

(Mal) He knows the tiredness of having three kids 5 and under

(Troupes) He knows the challenges your kids face

(Lindsey) He knows the unique struggles you face with your family

(Abby) He knows the good days you have, but is just as present during the bad days

Exodus 3:9 “Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.”

How many of the Jews thought that God had forgotten them? That His promises were null and void? That He was outside of earshot? They were oppressed and afflicted, and it had been going on for 400 years. But God had never forgotten, He had never given up, He had never quit loving His people. How much sweeter was deliverance after 400 years of bondage? Exodus 15 is a whole chapter devoted to the Israelites song after they crossed the red sea.

God didn’t promise a burden-free life, he promised a peace that passes understanding.

God is a purposeful God

Can I point something out in this story. There was one funeral, but there were two people missing from this widow’s life. A husband and a now a son. Jesus raised the son, but not the husband. Was it because He was too long dead? no, Could Jesus have raised him and brought both back to life? yes, but He didn’t.

Why does God answer yes to some of our prayer requests, and answer no to others? Why does he seem to be silent some times and other times his answer is clearer than day? It’s because God is a purposeful God. God directs, leads, and answers our prayer requests according to a purpose.

Jesus performed his greatest miracle to date with a purpose. What happened after He did this miracle? His name was glorified, They said that a GREAT prophet was among them, and that God had visited His people. God doesn’t randomly answer prayers. He has a purpose for our trials and hardships and answered prayers.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

We have a clear message that God works ALL things together for GOOD. God has a good purpose for everything we face. Everything. . . the hardest things we go through, God has a purpose, the sin that surrounds us and is in us. . . even that he is able to create beauty from ashes.

Justin’s testimony

Beauty from ashes. That’s what that is. There were great testimony’s from some great men, even people you know, but the one that the kids couldn’t stop talking about, was the one from the 34 year old guy who pulled his teeth out to demonstrate the scars of sin.

Our responsibility is to trust Him, trust Him that His purpose in the hardship is better than taking us out of the hardship we face.