Pastor Scott Andrews | July 21, 2024
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Luke 7:11-17
As some of you know, Tana and I have been privileged to lead several trips to Israel. Now, I tell those who join us, you don’t receive any spiritual brownie points for going, but seeing where much of the Bible takes place is amazing. Especially in the gospel narratives, you get to see places like Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, the Jordan River, Bethlehem, and of course, Jerusalem which includes visits to the Old City, the Temple Mount, the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, Golgotha and, best for last, the empty Garden Tomb. After visiting, when you read those gospel accounts of the life of Jesus, you can see those places.
But as I thought about that this week, there is one place we don’t visit. Twenty-five miles southwest of Capernaum, and about 6 miles southeast of Nazareth, one of the southernmost villages of Galilee is the tiny town of Nain. It’s kind of a nothing town, even to this day with a population of less than 2,000 – about the size of our church. When Jesus walked the earth, Nazareth, where He was raised, was a small village – Nain was even smaller. And so, we don’t even drive by it, and if we did, you wouldn’t want to blink – you’d miss it.
And yet, one of the most meaningful, amazing miracles took place there, early in Jesus’ ministry. It’s interesting to note, Nain is not found anywhere else in the Bible. Only Luke records the story – after all, who cares about a nothing town in no-count Galilee and an unnamed widow on the other side of the tracks. Well, Jesus did.
We’ve been talking about that – Jesus cared about those whom the world, especially the religious world, overlooked, even ignored or shunned. In fact, a careful reading of those gospel narratives demonstrates Jesus often went out of His way to care for such people. You know the stories. There’s the famous one in John 4 where Jesus and His disciples were going to travel from Judea in the south to Galilee in the north. To do so, any self-respecting Jew would go out of their way to avoid Samaria. Samaria was despised – its population made of half-breed Jews left over from previous captivities. Besides, their worship was not centered at the Temple in Jerusalem – oh no, they had their own place and form of worship. It’s from this region the Good Samaritan came. We’ll get to that story but it’s shocking since it portrays a Samaritan in a good light.
As I thought about that, bypassing Samaria, why, we don’t even go through Samaria on those Israel trips. No, we land in Tel Aviv on the far west of ancient Samaria but quickly make our way north to Galilee. After visiting Caesarea, we travel through Mt. Carmel, Nazareth and Cana on our way to the Sea of Galilee. Then, as we travel south to Judea, we drive along the Jordan River to the east, never venturing into Samaria. I mean, what’s of any value there?
Well, as Jesus and His disciples made their way north to Galilee, the disciples expected to take the normal route – across the Jordan into Perea and the Decapolis – Gentile territory. Incredibly, that was better than Samaria. But we read Jesus had to make His way through Samaria. Why? Well, there was a certain woman there with whom He had an appointment at Jacob’s well. A sordid, sinful, Samaritan woman. While the disciples went into town for provisions, Jesus sat down at the well. This woman came, not in the early cool morning when other women came to draw water – no, she came in the heat of the day – you see, she wasn’t even accepted by her own people. Jesus engaged her in conversation – even she was surprised by that. He tells her, knowing everything about her, that she had had five husbands, and the one she was with, was not her husband. Long story short, she’s the first person to whom Jesus reveals Himself clearly as the Christ. Overcome with joy, she spreads the good news of the Messiah. While we are not told specifically, I have no doubt He called her into His kingdom, forgiving her many grievous sins, making her an object of His rich, undeserved grace.
Well, there are other stories. Like the one where the Syrophoenician, Canaanite woman in the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon came, pleading with Jesus to drive out the demon which had cruelly possessed her daughter. He said to her, drawing out her faith as she came to Him, I was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. It wouldn’t be good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. Sounds mean – but He was drawing out faith from the strangest of places. So she said, that’s true Lord, but even the dogs feed on the crumbs that fall from the master’s table. To which Jesus said, O woman, your faith is great. It shall be done as you wish. And her daughter was healed – delivered from the demon at once.
Here’s the question – what was Jesus doing in Tyre and Sidon? That’s outside of Israel. Is it too much to suggest He had an appointment with a pagan, Canaanite woman, to care for her demon-possessed daughter. He seemed to do that all the time – go to the most unlikely places to care for the most unlikely people. And if we’re sitting in this nice, comfortable, air-conditioned building thinking, well, that’s not me, I’m actually deserving of grace – we might need to think again.
Which brings us to our text today. Last week, we saw Jesus heal the slave boy of a Roman centurion. Oh sure, the Jewish Elders represented the centurion to Jesus, citing his resume – he built our synagogue, and loves our nation. He’s worthy – he deserves your attention, Jesus. Did he? Well, as Jesus made His way to the centurion’s house, the centurion sent a message – I am not worthy to have You under my roof – I wasn’t even worthy to come to You. So Jesus, just say the word, and the boy will be healed. Jesus marveled at this unworthy, Gentile centurion’s faith. You see, He continued to call unworthy recipients of grace into His kingdom.
It’s now sometime after that event – Luke intentionally ties them together because they were two of Jewish society’s unworthy people. Sometime later, Jesus and His band of disciples, and apparently a large crowd of people, made the arduous 25-mile trip from Capernaum to the nothing, never-before-mentioned, Nain. Why? Was it just accidental? Coincidental? Just happen-chance He arrived at just the right time? Perhaps, of perhaps He had an appointment with a widow. Let’s read the text – Luke 7:11-17.
Where is Nain? Off the beaten track. What was the widow’s name? Who cares? What was the young son’s name? Who knows? What happened after Jesus raised Him from the dead? All kinds of unanswered – actually unimportant questions. Jesus was at the right place at the right time to do exactly what He planned to do. Coincidental, accidental? Hardly. And this story ought to be most meaningful to us. Why? Lots of reasons. Jesus continues to demonstrate loving care for those the world overlooks. He continues to care for the lowest of society, meeting the most pressing needs. And He demonstrates compassion – that’s an important word. And most importantly, He demonstrates the power to raise people from the dead – after all, He is the resurrection and the life – and all who believe in Him will live even if he dies. How do we know? Let’s visit a funeral procession of the no-count village of Nain. Here’s the outline of the text – it’s quite simple:
- The Setting for the Miracle (11-12)
- The Miracle (13-15)
- The Results of the Miracle (16-17)
Again, Jesus and His disciples, along with a large crowd – hundreds, perhaps more – made their way south from Capernaum to Nain – modern-day Nin. As He approached the gate of the city, stop right there. This could mean, as was usual at this time, the city was surrounded and fortified by a wall, and the city gate was the entrance into the city. But, most suggest such small villages didn’t actually have a wall – and the gate was simply symbolic of the entrance into the city; it was also the meeting place of the city. It was like the town hall or city park where people gathered to hear and share the latest news, find community, conduct business. It was likely here most people would be on this particular occasion – which means, as I’ve suggested, Jesus showed up at just the right time. Ah, he thought to Himself, just why I came.
Now, at this point, we get some very sad news. Walking out of the city gate at that moment was a funeral procession. A dead man was being carried out. Several things to note. First, the coffin mentioned in verse 14 was likely a bier – that is, a stretcher or flat board. It would have been carried by several men of the city. The man would have been wrapped in linen and was being carried to the burial place outside the city – you didn’t bury the dead in the city.
Further, as the Jews did not embalm, the dead were almost always buried on the day of their death. That’s interesting – that means when Jesus set out from Capernaum, this guy was likely still alive. Everyone in the town would have turned out for the procession – it was expected, even rabbinically required. There would have been professional musicians and professional mourners hired for the event – solemn music and loud wails would have accompanied the procession. It was a mournful scene.
Since moving to Boone, I’ve often been impressed with our community. You see, we also have expected funeral practices. Many will come to the visitation or receiving of friends – and make sure arrive or you’ll be awhile. Fewer stay for the funeral. Post funeral, if there is to be a graveside service, everyone lines up in their cars and turns on flashers. The police or sheriff’s cars go first. Then comes the funeral home car, then me, followed by the coffin in the hearse. Then comes the family car, then the rest. Here’s what I find amazing – as we drive through town, people pull over and let the procession pass. It’s rather amazing – it’s obvious it’s a funeral, and people pull over as a sign of respect and condolence. I’ve thought many times of writing a letter to the editor, commending the practice and our community’s kind observance.
That’s what was happening here. Oh, but there’s more. Usually, at this time, the family of the deceased preceded the funeral coffin or bier. But further, we read this deceased man was the only son of a widow. Unless there were daughters, she would have been the only one to precede the procession of her dead son. Jesus will call him a young man. It would be easy to spot her – her grief was real. And don’t miss, she was a widow, meaning all means of economic support and protection were gone. Unless she had a near relative that would take care of her, this was a sad occasion indeed. She was alone, and she had made this walk outside the city before, when she buried her husband.
One of my commentaries reminds us, funerals are a picture of the tragedy of the human condition. Many of us have buried our dead, and we know it is because of sin – the wages of our sin and rebellion is death. Martin Luther wrote:
“When you hear…of death, you must think not only of the grave and the coffin, and the horrible manner in which life is separated from the body and how the body is destroyed and brought to naught, but you must think of the cause by which man is brought to death …namely, sin and the wrath of God on account of sin.”
That’s the picture. Anyone looking could size it up in a moment. So when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her. Of course He did. He cared about people, especially the down and out. The less fortunate. Those overlooked. It’s why Jesus’ half-brother James would later write, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress.” That’s what Jesus is doing here. Makes me wonder if James saw in his older brother Jesus back in Nazareth unusual grief at the community’s funerals, followed by Jesus showing special attention to the widows and orphaned children.
By the way, we have a ministry in our church to widows called treasured sisters. I love the name – they are treasured sisters in Christ. Very often, events are planned, meals prepared, a special time together. They wouldn’t want me to say it, but many serve in that ministry, led by Rocky Bosse and Cindy Penick. I’m so thankful for your faithful care – and God our Father sees it as pure and undefiled religion.
Jesus had compassion on her. He was often moved by compassion for the plight of people. When He saw the crowds harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd, He felt compassion. The word compassion is one of my favorite words – it’s the works splankna from which we get our word spleen. It speaks of the bowels, of the pit of your stomach. It is grief and sorrow so deep you can feel it in the pit of your stomach – in your splankna. He was moved, even though He knew what He was about to do. Like when He cried at the tomb of Lazarus. He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, but He felt grief for the sorrow of the people, and for the results of a sin-cursed world leading to death – for everyone – no exceptions. It is appointed to everyone to die once. And unless Jesus comes back, we will die. And there will be those who grieve, but Jesus has a word for us – do not weep.
All that brings us to the amazing, meaningful miracle. He said to the woman, “Do not weep.” That wasn’t a lack of compassion, like dry it up. It was, I know your sorrow and your grief. I know your pitiful situation and I’m about to do something about it. There’s no need to weep. It’s why I came.
Think about it. It’s why at the death of a Christian loved one – while we weep, we do not weep as others who have no hope. Because resurrection is promised. We will see them again in the presence of our Christ. And Jesus proves it in this miracle – that indeed He is the resurrection and the life – and all who believe in Him will be raised to life. He gives us a little taste here. It’s why this story is so meaningful. This is one of three times He raises people from the dead – the widow’s son; Jairus, the synagogue ruler’s daughter; and Lazarus. Oh sure, they died again, but they, and we are given a glimpse of what is coming. There is coming a day when all who are in the grave will hear His voice and come forth.
Jesus came up to the funeral procession and touched the bier, and those bearing it stopped. I tried to imagine what that would look like for Jesus to stand in the middle of the road in one of our processions, stop the police, approach the hearse, and open the back. Well, those carrying the body stopped. Why? Because this was unusual. You see, Numbers 19 makes it clear to touch a dead body or that which a dead body touches makes you unclean. But like when Jesus reached out and touched the leper, He didn’t become unclean, the leper became clean. And here, He doesn’t become unclean, because death has met its match – death is about to come to life. He doesn’t touch death and become defiled – life touches death and it lives. In a sense, He said to death as it walked out of the city, “Death, you have come this far, but no farther.” The grieving had come to bury their dead, but Jesus stopped death in its tracks.
And He said, “Young man [again, he was a young man. It’s not the word for boy, but literally vocative, Young man], I say to you, arise!” Get up. And the dead man – notice doctor Luke’s description – the dead man sat up. Dead men don’t sit up – unless the Lord of life tells him to. The dead man – the one who died that day, prepared for burial, wrapped in linen and perhaps some spices if they could afford it, that dead man, clearly dead to all, sat up. Can you imagine. And he began to speak, as if to say, really, I’m back, and I’m alive. We don’t know where his spirit had gone – surely to the place of the dead – but it returned at the command of Jesus. And the dead man, lived.
Notice – this is important – Jesus gave the young man back to his mother. Do not weep – I’ve got this – I’ll take care of you, sweet widow. By the way, the words are exactly what we read in the Septuagint – the Greek translation of the OT – when Elijah raised the widow’s son in I Kings 17. You remember that story. There was a drought at Elijah’s command for three years under the awful, ungodly reign of Ahab. For a while, God took care of Elijah – he lived by the brook Cherith where he had water, and ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening. Later, when the brook dried up, the LORD told Elijah, go to Zarephath where a widow would provide for him.
When he arrived, the widow was gathering sticks to build a fire to make a little bread for her and her young son to eat, and die. But Elijah said, make the little cake and give it to me – and your act of faith will be rewarded – your supply of flour will not run out. As an act of faith, she did, and had flour until the drought was over. God was providing for a widow, and everyone knew the story. Later, the young boy died. The widow said to Elijah, what’s going on here? You have only come to remind me of my sin and have put my son to death. Elijah took the boy to an upper room, cried to the Lord, stretched himself on the boy three times, and the boy lived. Then we read after the boy revived Elijah took the son and gave him to his mother.
Same words. Everyone knew and loved that story. Notice the difference though. Elijah called to God – Jesus, as God, simply commanded the son to live. And he did.
Which brings us quickly to the results of the miracle, and there were two. First was the response of the people who witnessed the event. They were gripped with fear – an overwhelming sense of awe – and they began glorifying God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us! God has visited His people!” Why would they say that? Because they knew the story of Elijah, and later Elisha when he, by the power of God, raised the Shunammite’s son from death. Remember, it had been four hundred years since the Jews had seen or heard from a prophet in Israel. There could be no doubting it – God was up to something. Sure, they missed the important difference – that Jesus simply commanded the boy to rise, and he did. But they understood this was a divine miracle – who else can raise the dead? But they missed that God, in the person of Jesus, was with them. They saw Him as merely a great prophet, and not the great prophet Moses promised. But they were on the way, as Jesus kept revealing Himself to the people.
And so, second, news about Him spread throughout Judea – that is, throughout Israel, and even to the surrounding districts – to include east of the Jordan where John the Baptist was being held in a prison at this time. His popularity continued to skyrocket.
Two words of encouraging application for you as we close this morning. First, there is coming a day when Jesus comes back, and when He does, He will command His people – dead and alive – to meet Him in the air. And so we will ever be with the Lord. My question for you is, will He call your name, like He did Lazarus, and Jairus’s daughter, and this young man? Will you hear His voice and rise from the dead? He died for your sins, so that through faith in Him, through His death and resurrection, you need have no fear of death, but will one day be raised. Do you know Jesus?
And second, if you do, I want to remind you that you need not fear death when it comes – Jesus destroyed the power of death so that those held in fear of its grip need fear it no longer. And further, if you’ve had someone you love who knows Christ die, remember, Jesus is the resurrection and the life. This is simply a little glimpse, a little picture, of what awaits those who know and love Jesus. His death and resurrection meant the death of death. We will one day rise.