When Two Worlds Collide 17th February 2008
With television cameras rolling a brand new car is propelled down a track into a concrete barrier. Smash! It’s Air bags explode. Crash dummies recoil from the impact. Metal flies!
The test is repeated on dozens of new cars. Why this waste of cars?
Researchers are trying to learn from the collisions so as to make cars safer for the times when real people are involved in real accidents.
This week in the UK you may have heard in the news about new technology whereby a laser is put in the bonnet of a car so when it senses another vehicle in front it automatically brakes.
Some collisions in life can’t be avoided however,
This morning we’re going to be thinking about another kind of collision as we look together at the story of Jesus Luke recorded for us in Luke 7:11.
I’m calling the Message “When Two Worlds Collide”
1. WHERE JOY COLLIDES WITH SORROW v11-12
v11 Soon afterwards, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out — the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.
There were two crowds – two processions in this story
i) A large Joyful Crowd travelling with Jesus who is the centre of their attention
Some were his disciples – others, people who’d been affected by Jesus’ ministry
Walked with him 20 miles from Capernaum in the north going south
These were people who were strongly motivated - with faith growing in their hearts
Seen the Demon cast out in the synagogue. Heard of Peters m-in-law healed
Present at sunset as so many sick oppressed and demonised were made whole
Witnessed the Leper being cleansed & Man through the roof healed and forgiven!
They’d heard about the Centurions servant being saved from the brink of death
Knew about Jesus welcome for outcasts like lepers and tax collectors
Heard about the blessings of belonging to God’s Kingdom
Been mesmerised by his teaching in the sermon on the mount
This was all new and exciting it was something to be joyful about and celebrate.
They travel to Nain – more a village than town – like in hills of Italy or Greece
It’s name meant “pleasant” and it was – being set on the n.w. hillside of Moreh
overlooking a plain with Mt Tabor to the north and Mt Gilboa behind it
Never found evidence of a town gate – probably means they reach the houses
This is where the collision happens – because coming the opposite way is another crowd!
ii) A Sad crowd whose main focus is the dead body of a young man
The body was carried, not so much in a coffin (NIV) but a bier or stretcher probably wrapped up in a shroud as was custom. They were on their way to the cemetery.
Since the death was that of a young man I suspect the whole village turned out
Their focus was on the tragedy that had befallen a widow who’d already lost her husband
Sadness is more poignant – it’s not the natural way for a mother to bury her son
Their thoughts are full of sadness and grief as they share the loss together and tears flow
Their world’s dark & gloomy there’s no joy in their hearts only sadness & questions! Why?
So these two worlds collide.
These two crowds reflect our own experience – One hand- discovery & faith finding joy in our hearts in meeting Jesus - experiencing the blessings of his kingdom in our lives
But on the other hand - Sadness, maybe as in this story due to losing a loved one
Or may be sadness through sickness, a broken relationship, a deep disappointment, a serious issue at work, a missed opportunity, a financial problem.
Whatever the cause, it was a world of sadness where it’s hard to believe or feel joyful.
The good news is that at this point of collision the joy of Jesus breaks into the sadness
This is the place where transformation takes place.
If you’re in a sad place this morning I encourage you to look to Jesus – to meet him here!
There’s another collision here in this story
2. WHERE COMPASSION COLLIDES WITH DESPAIR v13
v13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don’t cry."
It doesn’t take much does it, to feel something of this woman’s despair in this situation?
With no social security or benefits to back her up - she depends heavily on her husband for support and if he dies, as in this case, she looks to others in her family to care for her.
Her Son would surely play an important part in caring for her into her old age
But now even he’s been taken from her. What’s she going to do? A widow and childless!!
But listen! That day her world of despair collided with the Compassion of Jesus
We’re told “his heart went out to her” AV he had compassion,
Living Bible “His heart overflowed with sympathy”
We talk about our hearts at such times but Jews talk about their bowels!
His stomach churned over! He had a gut reaction! = nearer to Luke’s words.
So often Jesus felt this - for the harassed crowd like sheep without a shepherd, for a hungry crowd of 5000 bringing their sick to Him, for an isolated & despised Leper
There’s also a hint of Anger in the words too, anger at the loss and the cause of this loss!
As this widow weeps in despair she collides with the compassion and love of Jesus
Q? Can you identify with this situation? Have you faced times when you’ve despiared? Let me assure you this morning - no matter how hard it is God never stops loving/ caring!
However complicated or confusing your situation –don’t doubt for a moment God cares!
He cares deeply about what you’re facing and what you’re going through.
The Gospel story is not merely an academic account of the life of Jesus!
The Message we believe isn’t merely an intellectual belief in facts about God
This story shows us that when our hearts break the heart of God breaks with us!!
When your heart breaks God’s heart breaks with you!
Jesus came not just to tell us God loves us, but to express that love personally!!
God has never remained an aloof celestial chess player watching while we suffer
He doesn’t move us around dispassionately like pawns in a game
He has come to us! He has entered our world of pain & despair and He feels it too!
Yes Jesus is the eternal son of God but he is also the Son of Man!!
Jesus has a human nature! Jesus feels pain and compassion, sorrow and joy too!!
If you’re ever tempted to think God doesn’t know what you’re going through while standing by the grave of a loved one. Remember we have a fully human Saviour!
One of the most poignant words in the whole Bible appears in John 11:35 “Jesus wept “ as Jesus weeps by the grave of his friend Lazarus
Isaiah says of Jesus 53:4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
This is our God with tears in his eyes! Aching in his heart, His stomach turning in emotion. God doesn’t stand back at such times. He carries our sorrows! With us! You’re not alone!
Notice Jesus words to this woman “Don’t cry”
If you or I said that to a bereaved person at their son’s funeral, it might sound shallow.
as if we’re trying to brush aside their pain, or trying to jolly them along
But not from Jesus, because he’s about to give her reason not to cry!!
Here’s the next collision
3. WHERE LIFE COLLIDES WITH DEATH v14-15
v14-15 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
Over the years I’ve conducted many funerals but never once has it occurred to me to reach out and touch the coffin and command the person to get up!
Shock that Jesus did it! No self respecting Rabbi would touch a coffin – Numb 19 unclean for 7 days! Jesus was more concerned to identify than over rules!!
From the start Luke is clear that Jesus is in control of this situation, he says
v13 “When the Lord saw her..”
That little phrase isn’t just a title of respect but implies in this collision is one with authority
Here is the Lord over all, Here is the creator of the universe, the Lord of time and eternity!
Here is the one who is himself the life and gives life to others.
3 times in the gospels Jesus restored life to those whom had died. We find it ..
i) at the tomb of Lazarus Where Jesus speaks saying Lazarus come out!
ii) at the home of Jairus where he speaks to her saying “Little girl get up”
iii) and here where he speaks to the dead son of this widow “Young man get up”
Notice Jesus doesn’t wrestle and strive in prayer on his knees
He doesn’t turn to God and appeal to God to intervene because He is God!!
He speaks directly to the dead! Speaks on his own authority and commands them!
He’s not an agent – He himself is the source of life and power!!
Later he says to Martha “I am the resurrection and the Life”
I’ve stood with many people over the years by the bedside of those who’ve died.
Just recently by the bedside of my own Mum as she lay there having passed away
It’s natural to speak to them – talk to them but they aren’t there – don’t hear!
But Jesus is different – He communicates with their spirit!
The Lord of life who holds the power of death, communicates with them directly
And they not only hear but they also respond!
We’re told the dead man sat up and began to talk!
Amazing isn’t it? An incredible story, though unfortunately it doesn’t bring much comfort for those of us for whom there is no come back, no recovery!??
But we must remember that wonderful as it was, this young man went back to his ordinary life- His Mum still had to hurry him off to school in the morning, still reminded him to tidy his room, and do his homework and help with the chores.
He came back to his old life and probably lived to be an old man before he died.
Both Jairus’s daughter and Lazarus did the same, living to face death once more.
These 3 miraculous events show us Jesus’ divine power & authority to raise the dead. They are Curtain raisers or Signposts to a greater miracle when Jesus himself rose again!
His resurrection was different. It wasn’t merely coming back to His old life.
He had a new resurrection body. By his death on the Cross He defeated Satan
He broke the power of sin and death! When He rose again it was to never die again
By it He had removed the sting of Death, by destroying the power of Sin!
And His resurrection assures us that when we collide with death as Christian believers we will not be destroyed for he has given us eternal that assures us of hope for eternity!
Here is Hope in the face of Death This story points us to Jesus ultimate victory over death Q? Let me ask you do you have that hope?
There are some people who say to me I wouldn’t be seen dead in a church
I’m often tempted to reply that one day you will be when you are!!
Death is not something we should avoid – Jesus doesn’t avoid it and nor should we
He holds out the offer of life will you take it in faith accept Christ as your Saviour?
Final collision is in the following verses which really describe the effect of the collision
4. WHERE GOD COLLIDES WITH HUMAN BEINGS
v16-17 They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people."
This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
The contrasts between the two processions in this story couldn’t be more dramatic. Sorrow and Death were going out of Nain, while Joy faith Life and Hope were going in.
The wages of sin was coming out in a coffin, as Christ the sacrifice for sin was going in.
Jesus faced down death and despair with compassion and love for those affected by it.
He undid death’s damage by his undisputable power as Lord of Life.
When a big collision takes place we expect to see pieces fly and the results of this collision at Nain flew everywhere.
Luke says, “They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.’
“Word” = Logos understanding about Jesus spread through Judea and beyond.
The fallout from the collision at Nain spread around the country.
Death and sorrow had smacked into life and hope.
Victory over death and joy at God’s power over death were the result.
The 2 groups became one. “They all were filled with awe and praised God.”
Those who were going out of Nain and those who coming in were amazed at the miracle Those following Jesus were given more evidence that Jesus was the Saviour.
Their joy was increased.
Those who’d formerly been following the grieving mother were also filled with hope.
We may struggle to comprehend the change that took place in those few seconds it took Jesus to tell the dead man to get up.
A grieving widow received here son back from the dead. She had a future.
Once again she had someone to support her and to love her.
The crowd that had gathered to express their sympathy joined the celebration.
Those with questions and concerns about their own death found some answers.
Maybe they didn’t fully understand who Jesus was
Saying he was “a great prophet” falls short of Son of God
Yet we do know that they did recognize that “God had come to help his people”
Their lives were different now because God was with them
In that obscure town God’s life collided with their lives & life was never the same!
The pieces are stilling flying from the collision that took place at Nain 2000 years ago.
Those who saw Jesus’ miracle said, “God has come to help his people.”
Yes, he has. He came to us and He still comes to us today.
As today we have stepped back and looked at the collision at Nain
Q? Will you allow Christ into your life to bring his Joy into your Sorrow
Q? Will you allow Christ into your life to bring His Compassion into your Despair
Q? Will you allow Christ into your life to bring his Eternal life and Hope ?
This is the good news let’s receive it and celebrate it together!
