Intro: An amazing truth--Jesus did not hold any funeral services! The Bible tells us that whenever Jesus came in contact with the dead, He restored life to them! He raised three people from the dead: Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter, and the widow’s son. In the miracle in our scripture passage I see the five great powers in life:
1. THE POWER OF DEATH (vv. 11-12)
Death is universal – everyone of us will die (Heb. 9:27). Death is never a respecter of persons. One day it will come to all of us. The great advancements in science, technology and medicine may delay death for a few years but it can never be stopped once our time is up! All your money can’t buy your way out of it. Even if you had the best doctors, the best treatments, and a very healthy lifestyle, sooner or later, death will inevitably come and visit your home! Death as our enemy came because of sin (Rom. 5:12).
Death is a mysterious power. Often it strikes when and where we least expect it. We should recognize the power of death and prepare for it! The best way to prepare for it is to fully trust Christ NOW who has conquered death (Rev. 1:18; John 11:25-26).
2. THE POWER OF LOVE (vv. 11-12)
No doubt the widow wept because of her great love for her son! Notice carefully that she has previously lost a husband and now an only son! It was as though she lost parts of her own being! Remember, it was also love that brought God’s Son to die for us.
Love is one of the greatest powers on earth! (John 15:13). Love of freedom cause heroes to fight and die for country. Love for a woman will cause a man to do anything. Our love for you brought us on this CD. Love can transform the worst sinner, a truth to which many can testify. Love lightens the burdens of life. The husband/father doesn’t mind the toil of daily work if he knows that those at home love and value him for what he is doing. The same is true for the wife/mother who diligently keeps the home.
Powerful nations have technologies to destroy cities and even nations, but nothing can ever destroy love! True love is immortal and eternal because it is one of God’s attributes (I John 4:8).
3. THE POWER OF TEARS (v. 13)
Tears move us to compassion. They moved Jesus to the side of this dead son. They moved Him to weep at the grave of Lazarus. They moved Him to weep over the city of Jerusalem. Tears have power in soul-winning. If we witness to people in a mechanical, cold manner, we will never win them to Christ. Somehow they must know that we care for their souls (Psa. 126:5-6). Instead of judging, believers must have compassion for the lost and dying.
Tears are not a sign of weakness but meekness. They bring relief in time of sorrow. “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) is not only the shortest verse in the Bible but also one of the most powerful! In Acts 20:31, Paul wept day and night for Ephesian Christians. The Prophet Samuel cried all night over King Saul’s disobedience (I Sam. 15:11). Brethren, let us learn the power of tears!
4. THE POWER OF PRAYER
Surely this widow prayed for her son’s healing but God’s answer was delayed for a better and greater purpose. God performed the greater miracle of resurrecting the dead than just healing the sick! There is power in prayer—it changes things and praying people! (Jer. 33:3; Psa. 50:15). However, notice that prayer like love and tears may have power, but let me caution you that when love, tears and prayer are not connected with the God of the Bible and His will, such become powerless! Compared to the power of God, everything else is inferior, which brings me to my last point.
5. THE POWER OF CHRIST (vv. 14-16)
Jesus had compassion on the young man’s mother, so He stopped the procession and commanded the young man to rise. Immediately he came back to life and began to speak, and was restored to his mother. This reminds us of the power of Jesus on many occasions: (a) There was great power in His presence. When He would appear, devils would flee before Him; (b) There was great power in His voice. He spoke the world into existence. He calmed the raging sea. There is still power in His word today; (c) There was great power in His touch. He touched the coffin of this young man. He touched broken bodies and restored them.
Nevertheless, the greatest power of Christ lies in His death and blood upon Calvary to atone for sin. Through repentance and faith in His sacrifice, the vilest sinner can be cleansed (Isa. 1:18).
Conclusion: Christian, do you know the power of love, tears and prayer? Do you have compassion for the lost and dying? Friend, have you personally experience the power of Christ that will not only change your life here on earth, but your destiny in eternity?
