Miracles
The Get Up
Luke 7:12-16 - This was an exceptionally sad encounter. A widow (having lost her husband), is leading a funeral procession for her now, dead son. As a woman and a widow, this was incredibly challenging as she had no form of safety or provision. The men in her life had died. This was a huge loss that probably stirred more than one question in the widow’s mind: “How will I survive? Will I survive? How will I continue on? Why does death seem to follow me around?”
Thankfully, it was said of Jesus, that he “broke up every funeral he ever met.” Jesus’ is filled with compassion for the widow, the disenfranchised, the forgotten. He tells her NOT to cry – when all her expectations should have pointed to LOADS OF TEARS! The Scripture makes sure we know that Jesus touches the coffin – unafraid of being defiled and “catching death” – Jesus speaks life. The young man sits up and starts talking. We then read that “Jesus gave him BACK to his mother.” This is a powerful picture of Jesus’ power over life and death. At death, this young man would have no longer belonged to his mom. At Jesus’ voice – he raised the dead, and with His authority – has the right to give this young man BACK to his mother.
In just a few verses after this, John the Baptist is questioning whether or not Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus answers him with “the dead are raised and the Good News is preached to the poor” (John 7:21-23). Luke is giving evidence, through Jesus’ action, that Jesus is MORE than a teacher – but THE Messiah.
While this young man experienced a “restoration of life” (not a resurrection – since, resurrection is to raise NEVER to die again), he would die again. Jesus’ raising people from the dead was a testimony that death is not as permanent as we think it is. Ultimately, God’s power over death would be on FULL display in Jesus’ resurrection.
Jesus displays God’s compassion for the broken hearted.
Jesus brings life.
Jesus has authority over death.
Responses:
Jesus overflows with compassion for this woman’s situation.
Jesus deals with the cause of this woman’s pain.
The son can only sit up and live at Jesus’ command.
The crowd responds with fear & praise.
The crowd makes declarations about Jesus (a prophet, God has visited us)
- A result of Jesus’ miracles is ALWAYS leading us to decide: “Who is this Jesus?”
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