Luke 7:11-17 - JESUS CONFRONTS DEATH

Okay. So our first thought in this text that I want to draw your attention to is the initiative of Jesus. Jesus' is initiative to confront death verse 11 soon afterward. Jesus went to a town called Nain and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. You can go right past verse 11 into verse 12 and and onward and missed the point. Jesus had just the day before healed the centurions slave that had an incurable disease needed to be healed. He is. Resting he wakes up and what happens he says I'm going to go off to Maine. He sets off. He sets off because he is taking initiative to confront death head on. An opponent that crushes our Spirits death is not something we like to think about. It really isn't and then it breaks Christ's heart when he gets there, but he sets off with courage.

Jesus knows the source of death grip on humanity and it doesn't create fear that immobilizes him. He has the power to reverse its painful curse. Do you remember him saying repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand? As He began to walk through the areas of Galilee and Judea. He was not only preaching and authoritative word. One that people jaws hit the ground when they heard him. But as he walked he healed people.

The lame walk the blind saw the lepers were healed. the scars of their shame were removed

Where he went he was rolling back the consequences of sin in our world. Truly the kingdom of heaven and a guy was at hand wherever he went. But he hadn't up to this point confronted death head on.

That is truly an opponent he needed to square off against. and we needed to hear from. Luke in writing the gospel in chapter 1 said hey, I'm running to you Theophilus was probably a political leader of his day or maybe a government figure. He was a leader in the community in any case They were lots of it was lots of pressure upon him to not stand out for his faith. So Luke wrote to him and said I want you to have this orderly account so that you can have certainty in the things you've been taught certainty and Jesus and who he is. And so this initiative of Jesus solidifies One More Story for Theophilus' Faith to be strengthened and it should also strengthen arms today. So what is the source of death grip on Humanity? I know I said it was I refer to sin but sin is really the source of death grip on Humanity. The Bible says the sting of death is sin. And in Genesis 1 we begin to read a story where God masterfully beautifully creates a world. A world that's perfect without pain without suffering. And so if you stopped at Genesis 1 and 2 and you didn't read the Genesis 3 you would try to understand what is going on because my experience is not that well in Genesis 3 the first man and woman were confronted with accusations that they began to give Credence to

Satan himself the father of Lies brought taunts and questions and they chose to act independently of what they knew. And who God was and so launched Humanity into a state of sin and two lives that were being impacted by sin. And the resulting judgment and consequence of sin death. See everytime we choose to doubt God. Everytime we choose to distrust his word. The Revelation to which we could never have come up with. His will in this way, we would have twisted and contorted things. Everytime we choose to act independently of what we know to be true we take on That very same behavior that was in the garden. That's what Jesus came to save us from. He came to eradicate it. Because it brings death. Sin came into the world through one man and deaf through sin death spread to all men because all sinned in Romans chapter 5 Martin Luther said this when you hear of death, you must not think only of the grave in the coffin and of the horrible manner in which life is separated from the body and how the body is destroyed and brought to nothing. But you must think of the caused by which man is brought to death and without which death and that which accompanies it would be impossible namely sin and the wrath of God on account of sin. So we're introduced to Jesus' initiative and Jesus initiated in following after his father. back in Ephesians in chapter 1 you can read how before the Stars appeared in the sky how before the waves crashed on the seashores of this world. God chose to save a people for himself.

And so Jesus Took initiative and fulfillment of the father's will. In John gospel. He says Jesus dated all that the father gives me will come to me and whoever comes to me. I will never cast out for I have come down from heaven not to do my will but the will of him who sent me for this is the will of my father that everyone who looks on the son and believes in Him should have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day. This is our Lord and savior.

So moving on to the timing of Jesus look down in chapter and verse 12.

Says as he Jesus Drew near to the gate of the Town Behold a man who died was being carried out the only son of his mother she was a widow and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. Is there two crowds here one that started out in capernum about 40 kilometers away from Maine? They were coming alongside Jesus and they've been on a 40-day journey. Sorry a full day.

It took him a while. There was all kinds of terrain that they went through you'll see here on the map on the north capernium at the north of the Sea of Galilee Nain down Southwest. That's a picture of it is just a small village. On the outside. Jesus set out to go there to confront death. Jesus his timing was impeccable.

As the crowd was forming in Nain. You see a grief-stricken widow.

Here was a different story than following Jesus. This was one of death and sorrow she had lost her husband at some point and now her only son. She was in a desperate situation.

What was also interesting about the timing of Christ? Is when he left capernium. Around that time or a few hours later this young man would have died. Because in the Jewish culture, they didn't carry the dead into the next day by Twilight They would have tried to bury this man. So Jesus set out. Initiating it. initiating to confront death. meanwhile here in Nain the white the Widow was hit and struck with such deep grief and sorrow So what transpires? What a crowd had no idea what was going on. It just says that they were with Jesus that is not what I said to hear citizen the disciples and the crowd went with him. He didn't tell them where they were going. They they willingly wanted to follow Jesus. There was the inner circle of disciples in a crowd that just saw the increase of Jesus's Ministry being fleshed out as you read through Luke, you'll see that it starts out with the birth narrative. It goes right into, you know, Jesus heading into the the Wilderness being tempted. You see his baptism. You see him then starting to preach and Proclaim and Miracle after Miracle after Miracle on preaching and preaching a miracle. It was pretty amazing. We get to follow Jesus. We don't need to know necessarily where he's going. So let me pause and ask you this question. Do I have to have all the details about a situation before I will follow Jesus today?

Do you do I have to have all the details about a situation before I will follow him?

Has God brought a burden upon your heart and giving you light unto your path, but you've chosen to allow the unknown ahead of you to prevent taking a step of faith. This reminds me of in Luke 1 Zechariah. He had this amazing Angelic experience where angel came and said hey do not fear and he said that you will have some. He's going to be the Forerunner for the Messiah and Zechariah had fear at that moment. That fear paralyzed him.

He doubted God's word. And so well God lovingly brought some correction into his life. He could no longer talk during the pregnancy. and it wasn't until the birth of their son his his mouth opened and he began to prophesy that point God glory and what he was going to bring through the Messiah that his son was going to be the Forerunner for

then you have Mary just to chit chat a few versus later. Mary has an Angelica experience as well where Angel comes and says you will be with child. He will be the Savior Emmanuel come with us. Don't fear. Well Mary was troubled as well. But unlike Zachariah, she didn't allow the fear for the troubled heart to paralyze her, but push her into faith in the savior in God. She tried to discern it said not doubt. When you're confronted and you're afraid.

It's okay to be afraid. It's Human Nature. What does that fear do does it cause and push you into the arms of the Savior and increase your faith or does it paralyze you?

Well if it paralyzes you God will lovingly correct you like he did to Zachariah, but I want to be berries. And this crowd that was following Jesus were like Mary you're trying to figure out what's going on. We're going to follow Jesus. That's pretty cool in counseling. I use an illustration call the circles of concern. There's two circles two concentric once a larger one and a smaller one in a smaller one. You can stay and write your name or my name in it. and within the circumference within within the borders of that syrup smaller Circle are the things that I'm responsible for that. God wants me to Stewart. Not in my Own Strength In His but still these are my responsibilities in the bigger Circle put God's name and these are all the things that he's responsible for. So then I will often say to someone. Has the edges of your circle creeped into God's domain?

Often it has when fear so grips us because we cannot control no longer control the details. It's because we're pushing our wrists are assumed responsibilities in God's area of where we need to just trust him.

so the crowd Gathered around Jesus but the crowd gathered around the Widow as well. Looking to Nain the towns people knew exactly what was going on different than Jesus situation, but they took their responsibilities as well very seriously. They were they pulled together musicians that would play a mournful dirge. They they pulled together professional mourners that would weep and cry as a communal expression of grief. The towns people will come alongside and support of the fee. However, the family was just one. A widow all alone. in a dire situation

and this is where the timing of Jesus comes to bear.

Jesus is coming with his group of people in 40 km away and just at the right time this funeral procession breaks through the gate of the city and Jesus sees the Widow.

That's amazing. That's timing. That's God's precision.

We should stop that verse 12 and go. Wow. What wow, why do I expand my circles in the gods? I just I want to shrink my circle make a bigger.

It is amazing to see when you think about Jesus's birth and his death on the cross and his resurrection. Do you think of the timing of it all? How he said noisia that the Lord will give us a sign. The Virgin will conceive and bear a son you call his name Emmanuel and then Galatians Paul reflects and says when the fullness of time it come. Then forth his son when the fullness of time. And then in Philippians you read how Paul just talks about how Jesus left heaven took on the form of a servant and was willing and was willing to be humble. And obedient to the point of death even death on a cross we can trust God's initiative. We can trust God's timing. always on time

we move on to the next three points which are going to be more rapid and succession and that's because they need to be lookin verse 13. Just the first part. We're going to look at the compassion of Jesus now. And when the Lord saw her the Widow he had compassion on her. Just stop there for a minute. When Jesus saw her he had compassion. How did Jesus see her? Two massive crowds of people. Can you imagine? What where was Jesus was he at the front of his was he leading from the front? No leader leadership the 101 lead from the front in your team's right was Jesus there or was was Jesus in the middle amongst, you know, he was very, you know, social interactive leadership style. Was he in the in the back? Probably not. Well, where was the Widow some would say she was at the front someone say she was at the middle. Someone say she was at the rear as they analyze the cultural customs of the day. I guess the point is it doesn't really matter because Jesus was able to cut through all the craziness all the complexity that was going on all the grief-stricken house and crying and he saw her the Widow who lost her only son.

That's Jesus is initiative in timing combining. compassion and so the crowd that followed him from capernium understood. to some degree Why they were making this track?

Jesus sees us in the midst of our Brokenness

when we're in a tumultuous situation are compass that normally points true north. Is spinning and we have no idea where to go. Especially at that moment. This was the very day. Her son died the map the road map that used to guide your life where the where the roads went here and here and you knew if I went to went to this intersection I could get over here all the sudden it look like spaghetti on the on the map you you couldn't you couldn't Orient yourself and that's what it's like when grief groups you so deeply. It said that Jesus had compassion and I put the definition of I wanted to do a little bit of a word study here cuz I think it's important to understand this Greek word that was used for compassion, which isn't the only word but it's this particular one that was used here. Had taken on at that time a comprehensive and blunt use. While expressing a visceral response of feeling and Sensibility from the speed of noble affections, which was directed towards those suffering. What do I mean by blunt with a root word? Comes from in the Old Testament the guts of a sacrifice very gruesome. However, this word that was literal. Overtime took on a very graphic metaphor. So that's why I was blunt didn't have to use this word, but it was used of Jesus. So there was an insensitive wrongness of what Jesus was feeling was there. Comprehensive because that graphic metaphor took on a full scope of things gut-wrenching feelings for someone.

That's what Jesus felt. Remember Moses as he was being protected as a child put into a basket sent down the river and I landed in this group of ladies pulled him in. Didn't know what was on that and what was going on in there lifted up the basket lid and they saw this baby. So they had compassion on him. The Hebrew word is a parallel similar to what was used here and Luke from Hebrew to Greek.

As you would see that baby. I was really trying to be saved from death. They felt compassion. So Jesus felt for this Widow. That's the word picture you need to take away. And what was the big point of all this? It was linking and identifying. But Jesus Is Power. and his compassion as a divine character trait In the Old Testament Yahweh was identified and characterized as with compassion as a father shows compassion to his children. So the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him no justice for he knows our frame he remembers that we are dust. Yahweh is compassionate Yahweh is powerful. Luke is now taking Jesus to another realm of things in the people's minds and he sang Jesus is God.

This is the compassion. It's a Divine compassion. Lucas trying to drive home this point. I think it's one that we do need to take note of the power of Jesus and this is probably what you were hoping to get to in the end of the first 13. Jesus said do not weep then came up and touch the beer and the bearer Stood Still and he said young man. I say to you arise and a Deadman set up to speak and Jesus gave him to his mother Jesus Takes action and it was quick successive action and it had to be because it had delayed his responses and over an extended. Of time. It would have prolonged the grief and anguish of this Widow and those that were connected to her. It was very sequential. It was a mediate. You said do not weed? Which could come across straight if he had let time go by. Sort of like a saying. Well, they'll be in a better place or God works all things out together for good. All those things are true statements. God works all things out together for good but when you're in the moment of heart-wrenching grief you need compassion and empathy at that point not pontification. Jesus said do not weep because he knew he had the ability to come through and show her why immediately she didn't need to carry that grief any longer the weight of it.

So Jesus walks up to the beer in the beer is sort of like a structure that has poles that's on it and that the dead were wrapped up and they would carry him out. Jesus walks up goes right through the crowd goes by the those that are caring and touches it. Why do they stop was it his leadership presence was it that they knew who Jesus was or was it because they were just shocked that this would come up and touch this because it would make him unclean

But not Jesus he was moved with compassion and he was there to confront death head on Jesus then speaks arise what happens immediately. He sits up Resurrected. And he speaks.

And Jesus returns him to his mother. What compassion what power to turn This Woman's life around in an instant? She was a widow. No husband. No son to carry on the name and provide. She was alone. She wasn't a dire situation. She wouldn't have known. how to provide for herself after that day Jesus met that need. It's important for us to know Jesus is word possess the authority to confront death and he has had the last word in effect. Jesus confronts death by saying you can go no further. That's pretty cool. I don't know this story just excites me at social work, but it communicate such a powerful message the king reverses the seeming finality from the greatest evil known to mankind in D. The kingdom is at hand. They're witnessing it which leads me to our last point the theme of Jesus that's in verse 16 and 17 by God saying a great prophet has arisen Among Us God has visited his people and this report about him spread throughout the whole of Judea and all the surrounding Countryside. There was a memory that was fixed that they will never forget never I had you the beginnings reflect back to 2002. You may have remembered your place of employment where you lived maybe vacation you went to but I doubt you would remember a confrontation that you had with someone at work or unless it was a significant one. This confrontation. No one was going to forget. This victory that Christ had in confronting death and winning would never be forgotten notice the descriptors of what it says here. Deer sees them just like Zacharia. just like Mary were troubled but unlike Zachariah they responded in faith to glorify God.

fruit of their lips and seen that wasn't a doubt him wasn't to distrust him wasn't to hide but was to pursue him and come near This Is Our God

Do you draw near to him? Will you draw near to him? Maybe you're facing sorrow and grief right now. Make it cause you to cry out

don't allow it to expand its grip Let Jesus bring comfort and Hope

The multitude went on to spread. This was to multitude two groups that formed one multitude and this multitude then spread the word. So this is pretty cool because nain was like off-the-beaten-path. It was not my central London or Toronto where everybody wants to be. thats not where everybody wants to be. But this is where all the things are going on like you would think Jesus would go into London or go into Toronto If He was here because that's where the majority of people are. He goes out to nain a Day's Journey people are scratching their heads, but they're saying I'm following Jesus. He he he's smart and he's got time and he's got power. I'm following him. And now they see is compassion. And so that unite together and spread his Fame just like he commanded us as his church on the mountain top. A different Mountain where he looked at his disciples and he said Go Make Disciples. Baptize them teach them to obey and lo I am with you. He never leaves us. This Is Our God, this is Jesus So in conclusion this story foreshadows really for us that day when Jesus Will confront sin and death and all its Fury and violence on the cross with Savage brutality. It will salt Jesus. However, he willingly stands in our place to make atonement for sin. Jesus willingly took initiative to confront the penalty of sin with his own life. He provides satisfaction to the justice of God for sinners like you and me. We can stand justified in the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith alone in him. Roman says for while we were still weak the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

So Luke record the story to increase our certainty just like it was to strengthen Theophilus' And who Jesus is being fully Divine with compassion and Power? This Is Our God this will solidify our confidence and there's when they hear of his resurrection

Just shortly after this you'll read Luke send emissaries back that said to us, right John the Baptist send emissaries back to Jesus saying are you the Messiah? and he said well you go back and tell him what you've seen and heard and on the list. The dead are raised. Death was confronted with victory. The story which only occurs here in Luke not in the other gospels was essential to Luke's message, very important for us to take note of. I will conclude with this brief story of a father's grief and instill confidence in Jesus' Victorious confrontation of death With Victory, Joe Bailey and his book of you from a hearse tells of the day his boy died of cancer. He had returned to the clinic to thank them for their kindness and care of his son. And he spoke to the receptionist. She was moved toward a woman sure if she moved towards a woman whose son was quietly playing with toys in the waiting area Joe. He has the same cancer your son had Why don't you go over and see if you can talk to his mother?

Billy want it went reluctantly over to sit next to her and they whisper just outside of the hearing of the boy. It must be hard bringing him in for these treatments. He said more of a statement than a question. Heard she turned in anguish and her eyes. I die. Every time I bring him in. What makes it worse is that I know it's going to stop not going to stop the cancer and he's going to die. uncomfortable Bailey ventured still it is some comfort to know that when that happens. There is no more pain and suffering.

for a son like yours no hardness in her voice when he dies. I'm up. I'm going to just bury him in the cemetery, and I'm never going to see him again. Bailey wanted to leave. it was uncomfortable to be reminded of his loss and even more uncomfortable to speak with this woman who obviously had no whooping anyway, then he spoke quietly. You know, I buried my boy just yesterday. And I've only come today to thank the doctors and the nurses for their kindness. I know what you're feeling but I know that there is a better life for my son now, how can you believe such a thing? She challenged and then Joe Bailey told her about Jesus?

Jesus confronts death and win-wins this wasn't an opponent. He wasn't going to lose to in the fourth quarter with a minute and 30 to go.

We serve a powerful God trust him.

Keep your Circles of concern in their right place.

God we thank you for your word. We pray God that as we look to you for your wisdom and your strength you will guide us you will direct us that large. We know you have taken the initiative that you have perfect timing. You have ultimate compassion and power. May your Fame be spread throughout this whole globe For Your Glory and Honor in Jesus name amen.