Miracles - Healing - Resurrection

The Ultimate Healing

For the past several weeks, I’ve been talking about healings.

What is the ultimate healing on this earth?

Isn’t it resurrection?

When we think of resurrection, we think of Lazarus.

But before we go there, there’s another resurrection I want to consider.

Widows Son

We’ve already discussed the healing of the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue,

But is such a miracle reserved to special people?

Luke 7:11–12 NKJV

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.

This miracles happened after the healing of the centurion’s servant.

Jesus goes to a city called Nain with a bunch of people.

When they get near the city gate, there’s a large procession.

Have you ever been in a hurry, only to be stopped by a funeral procession?

And doesn’t it seem to go on, and on, while you look at your watch.

This wasn’t a funeral for a city leader, or a ruler in the Synagogue,

Not even for a friend of Jesus.

“Just” the only son of a widow.

Remember, as a widow in Israel at this time, she would have been in quite a humble situation.

Her son was probably her only real chance of being provided for,

Without resorting to charity.

And now, the son is dead.

That was a woman in a very low place.

Luke 7:13 NKJV

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”

When we encounter someone who has just suffered a death in the family, we often don’t know what to say.

We don’t want to see the person crying, so we fall back on platitudes in an attempt to make them feel better.

They’re in a better place.

God knows what’s best.

Or pretty much anything we think will make them “feel better” and stop crying.

While we may tell someone who suffered a loss not to weep,

When Jesus said it here, He had plans.

Luke 7:14 NKJV

Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”

I’m sure there were plenty in the crowd who reacted much the way those mourning the death of the synagogue ruler’s daughter.

What, do you think we’re stupid?

This man is dead, why ask him to get up?

But just as with the ruler’s daughter, we’re not dealing with just anyone,

This is the Son of God.

Luke 7:15 NKJV

So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

If we see someone sit up in a coffin, especially in the middle of their funeral processions,

We’re more likely to think zombie than resurrection.

But here he is.

Alive, speaking.

And Jesus presents him to his mother.

Luke 7:16 NKJV

Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”

I bet the people were afraid.

The called Jesus a great prophet for what He’s done.

They say God has visited His people.

I wonder if some of these people would be in Jerusalem calling for Jesus’ crucifixion?

Lazarus

We’re all familiar with the story of Lazarus,

I’ve even done an entire sermon on this topic.

So I’m going to skip some of the preliminaries, and get right to what I believe is the point.

John 11:20–22 NKJV

Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

Our lives seem so full of platitudes,

Stale remarks that we use over and over again.

Until they loose all of their import.

Martha first asks Jesus why He did not come to heal her brother.

But she know that God will grant whatever Jesus asks.

Notice, she doesn’t say Jesus can raise her brother, but the God will do it of Jesus asks.

John 11:23–24 NKJV

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus tells Martha that her brother will rise,

But, as we’ve discussed before, people tend to try to fit God into their own understanding.

Sure Jesus, I know my brother will rise on the last day.

But she doesn’t seem to believe that he will rise TODAY!

John 11:25–26 NKJV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Then Jesus makes a point.

Jesus doesn’t perform resurrections, He doesn’t bring resurrection,

He IS the resurrection.

Whoever believes in Him, if he dies, he shall live again.

He IS the life.

Whoever lives and believes in Him shall never die.

Martha, do you believe this?

John 11:27 NKJV

She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Martha believes that Jesus is the Christ,

Christ, in Greek Christos, in Hebrew Messiah, which is anointed one.

She believes that He is the Son of God.

But how far does that belief go?

John 11:33–35 NKJV

Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.

Jesus sees the weeping and pain, then asks where the body has been laid.

I’ve heard a lot of sermons about he verse, “Jesus wept.”

Was Jesus weeping for Lazarus?

No, He knew what He was about to do.

I believe He was weeping for those who were weeping for Lazarus.

John 11:38–39 NKJV

Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

Jesus comes to the tomb, groaning within Himself,

Again, He knows what He is about to do,

So He must be groaning for those who are mourning.

He tells them to remove the stone.

And we see that while Martha believes Jesus is the Son of God, her belief is limited by what she thinks Jesus can dol.

“Lord, by this time there is a stench,”.