Place Your Children Into The Hands Of Jesus
Luke 7:11-17
Ashley Bridges was 10 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with cancer. Although doctors recommended she start chemotherapy immediately, it would have required her to terminate her pregnancy. “There’s no way I could kill a healthy baby because I’m sick,” Bridges told CBS2’s Kristine Lazar. During her third trimester, at eight months, Bridges was told that delaying treatment had allowed the cancer to spread. “That’s basically when they told me that it was terminal,” she said. Bridges was told she needed to deliver Paisley immediately so she could start treatment. Even with multiple rounds of chemotherapy, she was given less than a year to live. “I felt like I tried so hard to keep Paisley safe and do the minimum [treatment] to keep her healthy. The thought that I’m not going to see her grow up is really hard,” a tearful Bridges said. The 24-year-old Bridges also has a 6-year-old son from a previous relationship. “His exact words were, ‘If you pass away, I want to come with you,’ ” she recalled. Her sister Jessica Bridges stated “She’s a real-life superhero, to be honest with you,” Bridges, says that she has no regrets. “Maybe I’m not supposed to be here and she is,” Bridges said of Paisley.
- What a great picture of the sacrifice and love of a Mother.
- A mother's love has long been used as a way to measure love. Haven't you heard the phrase "He has a face only a mother could love!" - Even with the immense love that a mother has for her children, it cannot compare to the Love of God. A mother can only go so far. There are things that she simply cannot do for her children.
- Some of you here today will admit that there are times when all you can do is place your children (no matter their age) into the hands of Jesus. In our selected text we have one of those occasions. A certain woman had a son, and she could not help him. The circumstances were out of her hands. Her son was dead and she was devastated. Then along comes Jesus, and everything changed
- Jesus saw the situation, He had compassion on this woman, He touched her dead son and the young man was raised from the dead. Maybe you are at a place where you are deeply concerned about your children. Perhaps the situation is beyond your control. If that is the case, I would like to encourage you to "Place Your Children Into The Hands Of Jesus"
- There are some people in this assembly who will testify that they have had to do this and Jesus has worked a miracle as a result. I invite you to look with me to verse 11 as we consider:
I. THE PROBLEM - v11 ¶And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
- This young man was not just sick...HE WAS DEAD! One of the most tragic things a parent will ever have to endure is losing a child. We expect to die first, but there are times when the child passes before the parents. This mother was no doubt devastated and grieving the loss of he precious child. Not only was he dead... he was her ONLY SON! And to make matters worse her husband had died as well.
- Let's consider the picture that Luke paints for us in these verses. We are told that "much people of the city were with this widow" . This crowd of mourners were in a funeral procession headed to the cemetery to bury this young man. It was a custom in this day and time for the people of the city to join in and mourn. The mother would have been at the front. Those who carried the coffin would be behind her. The coffin would have been open as they make their way through town. Behind the coffin would be the mourners. This crowd may have included the friends and family of the deceased. It was also common to have paid mourners at a funeral. Then at the rear of the procession would have been the people of the city following as a sign of respect for the dead.
- And as this was taking place Jesus and His followers come on the scene. As the mourners were headed to the cemetery, the followers of Christ were headed into the city. Jesus sees the problem and has compassion on this widow.
Notice with me in verse 13:
II. THE PITY - v13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
- Jesus saw this woman and He had compassion on her. This lady was not looking for Jesus. But Jesus arrived at the moment that she needed Him the most. She may not have even known who He was... but He knew her. She may have not heard of the many miracles that He had performed. But she was about to experience a miracle first hand!! Jesus comes and tells her "not to weep". What a strange comment to make to a mother at her son's funeral. It may have seemed strange to those present, but Jesus knew something that they did not know!
- Things may seem devastating in your life right now, but Jesus know some things that you don't! !
- There were many people who felt sorry for this widow woman. There were several people in that crowd who had compassion on her. But that was as far as they could go... NOT THE CASE FOR JESUS!! Jesus went further than having pity on this woman. He saw her problem and did something about it.
- In verses 14-15 we see:
III. THE POWER - v14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
- Can you imagine the scene as Jesus interrupts this funeral. He walks to the open coffin and begins to speak to the corpse. He said the simple words "young man, I say unto you, Arise!". I am sure there were some who thought for a brief moment..."THIS MAN IS CRAZY!". But before their very eyes this young man sat up and began to speak!
- Can you imagine the reaction of the pallbearers, the mourners, his mother, the man who was dead? Obviously there were many different emotions present on that day. Fear, confusion, amazement and most of all joy! That is what happens when Jesus comes on the scene. When Jesus shows up people are amazed! Some may be fearful, sometimes He does things that confuse our simple minds... Oh, but when Jesus comes on the scene there is always joy and excitement at the miracles that He performs.
- Those that traveled with Jesus had just witnessed the healing of the centurion's servant. But when you walk with Jesus the miracles never get old. I am sure they were amazed as well... it is one thing to heal one who is sick, but to raise one from the dead is on a level by itself. What does this miracle show is...NOTHING IS IMPOSSBILE FOR OUR GOD!!! In this widow's moment of devastation and desperation Jesus shows up and takes control!
- What is the Jesus' motivation for raising this young man from the dead? You may think it was the compassion that He had on this woman. But the scriptures show us that there was a greater motivation.
In verse 16&17 we see:
IV. THE PURPOSE - v16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
- The people who were present realized that they had witnessed a miracle. They also knew the source of Jesus' power - "they glorified God ". They also proclaimed that "God had visited His people". Furthermore Jesus' fame spread across the entire region.
- The purpose of our lives is to bring honor and glory to our Heavenly Father. But too many times we are focused on OUR problems, OUR difficulties, OUR sorrows, OUR grief and OUR trials and tribulations. And when we cry out to God we do so in a selfish manner. And when Jesus does show up and work a miracle, it is not only for our benefit. Ultimately the purpose is so that our Father will get the glory!
- Do you remember what Jesus said in the Model Prayer? Matthew 6:13 And ... For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. - It is all about the Father's Glory!
- Great things happened in the city of Nain that day. And when it was over...GOD RECEIVED THE GLORY!!! Sometimes Jesus shows up in our lives and does things that are so amazing that it is obvious where the power came from. He does things that no one else can do! And the fact that He cares and has compassion on us in the process just makes it sweeter! I know that there are some of you who are hurting as we speak.
- There are several Mothers and Fathers who are concerned about the situation of your children. Some of you have children who are struggling with addiction. Some of you have children who are suffering from alcoholism. Some of you have children who are dealing with depression. Some of you have children who are in jail or prison. Some of you have children who are going through divorces and custody battles. Some of you have children who are living evil rebellious lives. Some of you have children who are involved in homosexuality. Some of you have children who are dealing with serious health issues. Some of you have children who are living in rebellion and are away from God. On and on it goes, there are many different situations that your children are facing.
- And being a loving parent you are concerned for them... Many of you are carrying heavy burdens today. You don't know what to do to help them.And in many cases THERE IS NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO! You may be in the same situation as this widow woman, you are at a place where the only answer is for Jesus to come on the scene and work a miracle. I want you to comprehend the fact that Jesus knows your name... He sees your sorrows... He understands and can calm your fears, and as was the case in this story, He has compassion on you! Even when it doesn't seem like it, HE CARES FOR YOU! And when the time is right He will come on the scene and through HIS POWER He will work a miracle.
- There is nothing you are facing that He can't handle! This young man was dead... it doesn't get any worse than that!! But Jesus has the power over death. And He has the power over your situation and circumstances as well. What then should you do?TRUST HIM!!! Place Your Children Into The Hands Of Jesus today! And if you will do this, then in His time He will work a miracle. And when the miracle happens. GOD WILL GET THE GLORY!
- Maybe you are here and you are that rebellious child of a loving mother or Father that is concerned about your situation. Maybe you are here and spiritually speaking you are as dead as this young man who was in a coffin on the way to his funeral. My dear friend, Jesus can raise you to walk in newness of life today!
- That is just what He does! He comes to us even though we are not looking for Him. He to us comes even though we have not called for Him. He comes to us even though we do not deserve Him. He comes to us because He loves us. He comes to us with grace, mercy and salvation. And when He arrives he completely transforms our lives.
- Jesus arrived at a funeral and left a party! He restored a mother and a son! He replaced fear with hope! He replaced death with life! He replaced sorrow with joy!
- What Jesus did that day in Nain, He can do for you right here right now. Though you are dead in your trespasses and sins...Though you are desperate and things seem hopeless...He can deliver you from those sins, He can remove your desperation and give you hope and life eternal!!
- What should you do??? Just give your life to Jesus! What should you do with your burdens... Just give them to Jesus! Parents what should you do with your children? - Place Your Children Into The Hands Of Jesus
