Thematic Selections from the Bible

The widow had lost her husband, her companion and partner, and probably had to toil hard to find ways and means to provide for both her and her son. Widows in that time could not remarry, and she would have no one left to accompany her through her remaining days. Her son was precious to her – he was the remaining source of support that her husband had left her. But now he was gone, and she was all alone. When Jesus saw her, he knew what she was going through, and his heart went out to her.

Imagine this scene where a train of people are wailing, weeping and mourning. Four young men are carrying the coffin on their shoulders as they make their way to the burial grounds outside town, and at the town gates, they meet a stranger. His face was kind, and his face was filled with compassion as he approached the widow. “Don’t cry”, he said. Simple words, words which a father would say to his child. This stranger then walked up to the coffin and touched it. In that instant, everyone froze. What was this man about to do? Some were, perhaps, even outraged – “How dare this stranger touch the coffin?”

“Young man, I say to you, get up!” The stranger’s voice rang clear in the stunned silence. Suddenly, the young man sat up in the coffin, still balanced high on the shoulders of the pall bearers. The pall bearers, shaken, hastily put the coffin down. The stranger then led the dead man back to his mother, as though it was the most normal thing to do. As the stranger left, whispers filled with fear and awe followed him, and with it came praise and rejoicing towards God.

Lk 7:11-17

11 And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude.

12 Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

14 And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

16 And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us: and, God hath visited his people.

17 And this report went forth concerning him in the whole of Judaea, and all the region round about.