Luke 7:11 - 17

Jesus leaves Capernaum with his disciples and entourage and make the 25 mile walk to Nain.  Just as they are getting there, they run smack into a funeral procession.  So here's the scene:  The Lord of life is leading a parade of joy and celebration that meets a funeral dirge, a death march with wailing and crying, led by a widow who just lost her only son. 

Not many words are exchanged in this scene, but when they are, they are full of power.  And, as a matter of fact, Jesus speaks commands (not suggestions).  He tells this woman - Don't cry!  (now, you and I can't even imagine her situation.  She just lost a husband, the bread winner and her voice in the community and now lost her only son.  She was destined to be destitute and on the fringe of society, if she lived at all.  So we can't imagine this)  Jesus says Don't cry.  Then he tells the boy, "Young boy, I say to you, Get Up!"  With that the boy sits up and starts talking.

So, the only Son of God, who is destined to die for us, has compassion on this woman and raises her dead son to life.  He does it by his command, his direct statement to the dead person.  In fact, he addresses the boy as if he were alive.

It's interesting that there is no mention of the widow's faith or belief or even asking for the Lord's help.  Jesus has compassion on her.  He stops the funeral procession in its tracks and gives the dead boy life and hands him back to his mom.

So, the question that must be faced is this:  Which procession are we in?  Are we in the death march, funeral procession?  Have we lost hope, lost energy, given up?  Are we shuffling off to the grave, wailing, crying, forlorn?  Or, are we in line with the Lord of life?  Are we dancing, praising, witnessing, and marveling at what the Lord is doing? 

Notice this.  That once the two processions meet, the Lord's parade trumps the death march.  Jesus Christ stops the funeral and it completely disbands.  The Lord of Life overcomes death.  The Prince of Peace wins. 

And finally, when all of this happens, what is the result?  There are shouts of joy and amazement and a response of fear!  I mean, it's not ordinary to watch a corpse sit up and start talking.  Jesus always turns the ordinary to the extraordinary.  He always turns the world upside down for us.  And, he does this in a good, loving, positive way!  Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!