How to Get Exiled #22

Luke 7:11 Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” 17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

People were still trying to figure Jesus out.  He was an astounding teacher who knew and kept the Law, yet seemed to "bend the rules" at times.  He could command a crowd, but also take time for individuals. You never knew when or why He would stop to focus on one person.  Here He came to a place near where He had grown up, where some might know Him.  In His response to this widow He demonstrated great compassion.  He also came dangerously close to touching a dead body - a legalistic no-no. (Some would argue that what He did made Him unclean.) He then raised her son from the dead - just as Elijah had done.  This was not some random, meaningless act of omnipotence; it was an act revealing the heart of God for widows.  Most in the crowd were only wowed, but some got the picture: God really does care about us - especially the most needy.   So should we.