Luke 7: 11 – 17
New Life
11 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. 12 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. 13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 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.” 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. 16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” 17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.
Things and unique situations were happening in rapid fire for our Lord Jesus. If you remember from our last study, He had healed the Centurion’s servant as He had just arrived at His home base in Capernaum.
Now I believe many people including scholars fail to grasp some signification information that our Precious Holy Spirit has given. He does not waste words. Now take a look at verse 1 and see what you can take from this verse which just seems insignificant at first sight.
11 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.
Do you see anything unique here? How about the words ‘the day after’? Still don’t see it?
The city of Nain is called today Nen. It is about 25 miles away from Capernaum. Stop and think. In the Lord’s time on earth, you did not hop in a car or bus, you hoofed it to wherever you wanted to go.
As we shared in our last study our Wonderful Holy Ghost is non-stop setting up our Lord in situations which somehow reveals a unique fulfillment of prophecy on how He Is The Messiah. Here after being busy in amazing actions it appears that the Holy Spirit immediately prevented the Lord from settling down to a good night rest in Capernaum but urged Him on to travel the same night in the direction of Nain. And as you can see from verse one a whole large group made the evening travel with Him most like resting somewhere in between Capernaum and Nain because the next day He is going to run into this funeral in the town of Nain, in which we will see, that it has all been pre-arranged by our Precious Holy Spirit.
12 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.
We are immediately shown an unforgettable scene. We see a sad picture that many people even today are faced with. It is a funeral procession which is heading out of the city. We are told some significant details by our Wonderful Holy Ghost. This woman for one thing is a widow who has the heartbreaking duty of now burying her only son - A double whammy. All hope for her is gone. No more children to love and care for. No husband to be her partner in life. She is now all alone to walk her path in life. The future is dark.
However, heading in her direction now is The Light of the World. The hope of all mankind. And guess what happens when the two come together. Let me just encourage you with a few of these awesome Scripture passages.
2 Samuel 22, “For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness.”
Job 12, “He uncovers deep things out of darkness, And brings the shadow of death to light.”
Psalm 18, “For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.”
Isaiah 9, “The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
Can you see here the amazing work of the Holy Spirit in displaying to not only Israel but to all of us how our Lord Jesus fulfills all the descriptions that the Messiah will accomplish while on earth?
When all hope is gone. When you feel all alone. When you think no one cares – Look up to the One Who loves you.
13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
Please take to heart these great words, ‘When the Lord saw her.’ Dear friends our Lord sees you right now. Whatever you are going through or have gone through He sees and understands. He love you so much that He cannot ever take His eyes off of you. Remember these great words of encouragement.
Psalm 139, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!”
Jeremiah 29, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
A ‘weeping widow was a picture not only of the condition of the nation of Israel but for us as well. How about this famous verse from Luke and the prophet Jeremiah in chapter 31 of his book, “15 Thus says the LORD: “ A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”
A widow in desperate need is declared. She cannot be comforted because there are now no more children. The deepest despair is given.
However, this will change because the Messiah has come. In the book of Isaiah chapter 54, it is prophesied that the Messiah will bring forth new life – “ 4 Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.” 5 For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.”
Ladies, our Mighty King and God Is your husband.
In a way it is sufficient just to end here, because it does not get better than that. Yet, let us anyway finish our study.
14 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.” 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. 16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” 17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.
Our Lord Jesus spoke and the dead man obeyed. In the Gospel of John tells us that one day soon He will again speak and all those that have died will hear His voice and come forth unto everlasting life, “28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”
