Luke 7:11-17 Not long after that, Jesus went to the village Nain. His disciples were with him, along with quite a large crowd. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession—a woman’s only son was being carried out for burial. And the mother was a widow. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke.(His heart overflowed with compassion[NLT]) He said to her, “Don’t cry.” Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother. They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country.
The amazing thing about God’s word is that it speaks to me in a different way each time I open it. I have read this passage many times and each time I have focused on the miracle that Jesus performs. He raises a man from the dead! It is so easy to read a story like this and see it as just that, a story. Don’t let yourself forget that the events we read throughout the Bible are true stories. Allow yourself to be amazed at what Jesus did. This happened, just as real as if it were on the news today. This amazingly demonstrates Jesus power over everything, including life and death. This last time I read it, however, I noticed something else. I noticed this verse that tells us Jesus heart broke for this woman. Here he was, walking through a small village with his disciples and saw a woman who had just lost her only son. She was broken hearted. We read that she was a widow, so now she has lost her husband and her only son. Jesus sees her, and his heart goes out to her; his heart broke and he was full of compassion for her. This woman did not ask for Jesus help, she did not throw herself at his feet and beg for him to raise her son from the dead. But Jesus, with his heart of compassion, says to her “Don’t cry.” Then he gives her son back to her! I wish I had been there to see the joy and amazement on her face! What a comfort it is to know that in the times when we are so overcome with sorrow and pain that our Savoir cares. He lovingly comforts us and takes care of us. He provides of our needs even when we don’t have the strength to voice them. Jesus sees you.
He says to you and me: “Don’t cry!”
There are times when we go through difficulties and we cry out to God. Then, other times when all we need to do is be silent and rely on God to provide. He is always there for you. I can’t tell you how great a comfort that was to me. I hope it will be to you also.
We see so much grief in this world. Although we cannot bring the dead to life, we can show compassion to others. We can be so busy and get so caught up in our own lives, that we don’t even see the hurt in others. To some people, compassion comes naturally. That is not the case for me. I tend to be wrapped up in my own little world. I mean well, but I often miss the details and don't notice the hurt in others. I'm the kind of mom who hears her kids crying and says "Just get back up, you will be fine!" For me, compassion needs to be cultivated and deliberately worked on.
Take time this week to really see the people around you. Find out what is going on in their lives. Pray for them- and I don’t mean use the “I’ll pray for you” line. Actually stop what you are doing and pray with them! Cry with someone, or see if you can make them laugh. Try to “alleviate the suffering” of someone, even if you are suffering yourself.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Jesus’ heart is filled with compassion for you, and in your times of greatest need, sorrow, and pain He reaches out and calls out your name saying "Don’t Cry.”
The amazing thing about God’s word is that it speaks to me in a different way each time I open it. I have read this passage many times and each time I have focused on the miracle that Jesus performs. He raises a man from the dead! It is so easy to read a story like this and see it as just that, a story. Don’t let yourself forget that the events we read throughout the Bible are true stories. Allow yourself to be amazed at what Jesus did. This happened, just as real as if it were on the news today. This amazingly demonstrates Jesus power over everything, including life and death. This last time I read it, however, I noticed something else. I noticed this verse that tells us Jesus heart broke for this woman. Here he was, walking through a small village with his disciples and saw a woman who had just lost her only son. She was broken hearted. We read that she was a widow, so now she has lost her husband and her only son. Jesus sees her, and his heart goes out to her; his heart broke and he was full of compassion for her. This woman did not ask for Jesus help, she did not throw herself at his feet and beg for him to raise her son from the dead. But Jesus, with his heart of compassion, says to her “Don’t cry.” Then he gives her son back to her! I wish I had been there to see the joy and amazement on her face! What a comfort it is to know that in the times when we are so overcome with sorrow and pain that our Savoir cares. He lovingly comforts us and takes care of us. He provides of our needs even when we don’t have the strength to voice them. Jesus sees you.
He says to you and me: “Don’t cry!”
There are times when we go through difficulties and we cry out to God. Then, other times when all we need to do is be silent and rely on God to provide. He is always there for you. I can’t tell you how great a comfort that was to me. I hope it will be to you also.
We see so much grief in this world. Although we cannot bring the dead to life, we can show compassion to others. We can be so busy and get so caught up in our own lives, that we don’t even see the hurt in others. To some people, compassion comes naturally. That is not the case for me. I tend to be wrapped up in my own little world. I mean well, but I often miss the details and don't notice the hurt in others. I'm the kind of mom who hears her kids crying and says "Just get back up, you will be fine!" For me, compassion needs to be cultivated and deliberately worked on.
Take time this week to really see the people around you. Find out what is going on in their lives. Pray for them- and I don’t mean use the “I’ll pray for you” line. Actually stop what you are doing and pray with them! Cry with someone, or see if you can make them laugh. Try to “alleviate the suffering” of someone, even if you are suffering yourself.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Jesus’ heart is filled with compassion for you, and in your times of greatest need, sorrow, and pain He reaches out and calls out your name saying "Don’t Cry.”