But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. - Romans 8:11
Good morning! I am delighted that you’ve joined us this Sunday as we continue our sermon series on the “Miracles of Jesus”. To date, we have covered 14 miraculous occasions during which Jesus performed various healings, exorcisms, and/or other natural miracles. In today’s message, the 10th of the series, we are going to read about something even more remarkable.
A few years ago I preached a 5 sermon mini-series during the Easter season called “Risen From the Dead” that featured 12 instances of physical resurrections mentioned in the Bible. The miracle we’ll discuss this morning was included in that series which is available on our church’s website if you’d like to read it. Anyway, this morning’s message is called “The Widow of Nain’s Son” and the account is only recorded in Luke’s gospel.
I. COMING AND GOING (Luke 7:11-12)
While traveling from place to place throughout Galilee, Jesus approached the small town of Nain. As usual, His disciples and a large crowd of spectators were following Him. As they drew near to the entrance of the city, they were met by a funeral procession that was coming out. The deceased was a young man, the only son of his widowed mother, whose body was being carried on a bier, or pallet, to the burial site. The grieving widow was accompanied by a large crowd of mourners.
The village of Nain was a small, relatively insignificant location. It was about 25 miles southwest of Capernaum, situated just 4 miles south of Mount Tabor. The Hebrew word “Nain” means beautiful or pleasant. This quaint little town sat on a hill and featured spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, perhaps earning its name. What Jesus did there that day was something even more beautiful than nature. Nain was never a walled city, so the use of the word “gate” (in verse 12) is perhaps better understood as the main entryway of town.
The woman whose son had died was a widow. What’s more, the dead child was her only son. Thus, this widow was now left with no male caretakers in her immediate family. In Biblical times, this was a perilous situation to be in. The culture was dominated by male influence and widows were oftentimes overlooked and/or forgotten. Ideally sons were to provide for their widowed mothers, and the Law instructed the Israelites to take care of widows who had no sons, but this didn’t always happen. All of that being said, this widow was not only grieving the loss of her son but also the prospect of an uncertain future.
The Bible teaches that pure and undefiled religion looks out for and takes care of widows and orphans (James 1:27). In fact, this was the reason why the first deacons were chosen, in order to minister to a group of widows (Acts 6:1-7). We see the desperation and vulnerability of widows in the story of Naomi and Ruth. The plight of widows is a repeated theme that runs throughout Scripture.
II. THE SON RISES (Luke 7:13-15)
Jesus walked up to the despairing mother and told her not to cry. He was moved with compassion for her. Then He reached up and touched the coffin and the bearers came to a halt. Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” Immediately the dead man sat up and began to speak. He climbed out of the coffin and then Jesus gave him back to his mother.
According to Jewish tradition, dead bodies were typically buried within 24 hours if possible. This was out of respect for the body, to prevent it from beginning to decay or decompose. It was also believed to quicken the soul’s release from the body. The Jews did not embalm corpses like the Egyptians did, but rather buried their dead quickly. Other reasons for this practice were to expedite the grieving process and to minimize the spread of disease.
In Biblical times, a lifeless body might be wrapped in a gravecloth without being placed in a coffin. When they were used, coffins were often left open or simply covered with a linen shroud while being carried. This would seem to be the case in this passage, as the young man sat up in his coffin after being resurrected. Can you imagine the scene? A dead man being carried to his grave suddenly sat up and began talking! Under the circumstances, I wonder what he said.
III. THE PEOPLE RESPOND (Luke 7:16-17)
All of those watching, including both those who were following Jesus and those who were in the funeral procession were overcome with fear and began glorifying God. They shouted, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has visited His people!” The news of what Jesus had done quickly spread throughout Judea and the surrounding districts.
While the people were right to acknowledge and praise God for His miraculous intervention, they still failed to recognize Jesus as more than “a great prophet”. Jesus is far greater than any prophet, like Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, or others (Matthew 16:13-14). Beloved, He is the Christ, the divine Son of God. Though some were beginning to understand, sadly most of the people missed it… and they still do to this very day.
Notice that the people were overcome with fear. They witnessed the almighty power of God demonstrated by the 2nd Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. The LORD has power over death and the grave. Fearing God means ascribing to Him an appropriate level of reverence and respect. It doesn’t mean that believers should be afraid of God. However, unbelievers most certainly should be wary, as apart from salvation in Christ they will someday face His furious wrath in unending judgment.
CONCLUSION
The miracle we’ve talked about this morning is categorized as a physical resurrection. This is the 1st of 3 different occasions recorded in the Bible when Jesus brought a dead person back to life. As for the manner of this miracle, Jesus simply spoke and the dead man arose. He performed this miracle out of compassion for the grieving mother, but also to demonstrate His authority over death and the grave. Those who witnessed this event were in awe.
As we had seen in some of the previous miracles we’ve discussed, neither the widow or her son (for obvious reasons) asked Jesus to do anything. He took action solely based on his Own initiative, which was prompted, but not compelled, by His compassion for her grief. Jesus loves and has sympathy for everyone who suffers the loss of their loved one, but He doesn’t resurrect them all. Jesus acts in accordance with God’s will. That’s it. While our feelings and/or faith are certainly important factors, they are not the deciding factor(s).
Someday we will all know what it's like to be physically resurrected. When Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will rise and those who are alive will be caught up to meet Him in the air. All believers will be fitted with glorified bodies made to dwell with Jesus forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Oh my friends, what a wonderful day that will be!
Good morning! I am delighted that you’ve joined us this Sunday as we continue our sermon series on the “Miracles of Jesus”. To date, we have covered 14 miraculous occasions during which Jesus performed various healings, exorcisms, and/or other natural miracles. In today’s message, the 10th of the series, we are going to read about something even more remarkable.
A few years ago I preached a 5 sermon mini-series during the Easter season called “Risen From the Dead” that featured 12 instances of physical resurrections mentioned in the Bible. The miracle we’ll discuss this morning was included in that series which is available on our church’s website if you’d like to read it. Anyway, this morning’s message is called “The Widow of Nain’s Son” and the account is only recorded in Luke’s gospel.
I. COMING AND GOING (Luke 7:11-12)
While traveling from place to place throughout Galilee, Jesus approached the small town of Nain. As usual, His disciples and a large crowd of spectators were following Him. As they drew near to the entrance of the city, they were met by a funeral procession that was coming out. The deceased was a young man, the only son of his widowed mother, whose body was being carried on a bier, or pallet, to the burial site. The grieving widow was accompanied by a large crowd of mourners.
The village of Nain was a small, relatively insignificant location. It was about 25 miles southwest of Capernaum, situated just 4 miles south of Mount Tabor. The Hebrew word “Nain” means beautiful or pleasant. This quaint little town sat on a hill and featured spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, perhaps earning its name. What Jesus did there that day was something even more beautiful than nature. Nain was never a walled city, so the use of the word “gate” (in verse 12) is perhaps better understood as the main entryway of town.
The woman whose son had died was a widow. What’s more, the dead child was her only son. Thus, this widow was now left with no male caretakers in her immediate family. In Biblical times, this was a perilous situation to be in. The culture was dominated by male influence and widows were oftentimes overlooked and/or forgotten. Ideally sons were to provide for their widowed mothers, and the Law instructed the Israelites to take care of widows who had no sons, but this didn’t always happen. All of that being said, this widow was not only grieving the loss of her son but also the prospect of an uncertain future.
The Bible teaches that pure and undefiled religion looks out for and takes care of widows and orphans (James 1:27). In fact, this was the reason why the first deacons were chosen, in order to minister to a group of widows (Acts 6:1-7). We see the desperation and vulnerability of widows in the story of Naomi and Ruth. The plight of widows is a repeated theme that runs throughout Scripture.
II. THE SON RISES (Luke 7:13-15)
Jesus walked up to the despairing mother and told her not to cry. He was moved with compassion for her. Then He reached up and touched the coffin and the bearers came to a halt. Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” Immediately the dead man sat up and began to speak. He climbed out of the coffin and then Jesus gave him back to his mother.
According to Jewish tradition, dead bodies were typically buried within 24 hours if possible. This was out of respect for the body, to prevent it from beginning to decay or decompose. It was also believed to quicken the soul’s release from the body. The Jews did not embalm corpses like the Egyptians did, but rather buried their dead quickly. Other reasons for this practice were to expedite the grieving process and to minimize the spread of disease.
In Biblical times, a lifeless body might be wrapped in a gravecloth without being placed in a coffin. When they were used, coffins were often left open or simply covered with a linen shroud while being carried. This would seem to be the case in this passage, as the young man sat up in his coffin after being resurrected. Can you imagine the scene? A dead man being carried to his grave suddenly sat up and began talking! Under the circumstances, I wonder what he said.
III. THE PEOPLE RESPOND (Luke 7:16-17)
All of those watching, including both those who were following Jesus and those who were in the funeral procession were overcome with fear and began glorifying God. They shouted, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has visited His people!” The news of what Jesus had done quickly spread throughout Judea and the surrounding districts.
While the people were right to acknowledge and praise God for His miraculous intervention, they still failed to recognize Jesus as more than “a great prophet”. Jesus is far greater than any prophet, like Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, or others (Matthew 16:13-14). Beloved, He is the Christ, the divine Son of God. Though some were beginning to understand, sadly most of the people missed it… and they still do to this very day.
Notice that the people were overcome with fear. They witnessed the almighty power of God demonstrated by the 2nd Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. The LORD has power over death and the grave. Fearing God means ascribing to Him an appropriate level of reverence and respect. It doesn’t mean that believers should be afraid of God. However, unbelievers most certainly should be wary, as apart from salvation in Christ they will someday face His furious wrath in unending judgment.
CONCLUSION
The miracle we’ve talked about this morning is categorized as a physical resurrection. This is the 1st of 3 different occasions recorded in the Bible when Jesus brought a dead person back to life. As for the manner of this miracle, Jesus simply spoke and the dead man arose. He performed this miracle out of compassion for the grieving mother, but also to demonstrate His authority over death and the grave. Those who witnessed this event were in awe.
As we had seen in some of the previous miracles we’ve discussed, neither the widow or her son (for obvious reasons) asked Jesus to do anything. He took action solely based on his Own initiative, which was prompted, but not compelled, by His compassion for her grief. Jesus loves and has sympathy for everyone who suffers the loss of their loved one, but He doesn’t resurrect them all. Jesus acts in accordance with God’s will. That’s it. While our feelings and/or faith are certainly important factors, they are not the deciding factor(s).
Someday we will all know what it's like to be physically resurrected. When Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will rise and those who are alive will be caught up to meet Him in the air. All believers will be fitted with glorified bodies made to dwell with Jesus forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Oh my friends, what a wonderful day that will be!