I’m standing before you this morning not on my own, because I have A good mother. I’m here this morning because, somebody prayed for me. I’m here this morning because God answers prayers for healing. Therefore, I’m standing here today, because of Jesus Christ. You are also here this morning, because of Jesus Christ. It’s Mother’s Day! So, I would like to say: God bless you on Mother’s Day!
I read three different funeral processions that Jesus broke up. Now, I don’t know about you but I’ve never been to a funeral procession and has been broke up. They have all been somber events.
But, in scripture Jesus brought back to life or resuscitated 3 people. Believe it or not, he is still doing this today.
John 11:25 says: “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,”
And if you count me that’s four. But we also know that each one of us will be resurrected from death and life, because Jesus Christ, himself, arose!
The three times were printed in the following passages:
Lazarus (John 11:17–44),
the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11–17)
Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:40–56).
Since it is Mother’s Day let’s concentrate on the widow was an extreme distress. Jesus and his disciples, followed by a large crowd, came to Nain, a Galilean town not far from Nazareth. As they are about to enter, they encounter a funeral procession that is presumably on its way to a place of burial outside the city.
Usually towns were built upon a
mountain. The city gate was at the bottom of the mountain. Then, the burial ground was at least 5 miles from any town. This means that she had to come down to the gate. This means that she met Jesus when she was at the bottom. Isn’t that just like us, when we are down, this is when we meet Jesus. When we are low and have nowhere else to turn. Jesus is ready to swing open the door or gate and let us in. People don’t generally meet Jesus when they’re high on the mountain! People start looking for Jesus when they are down in the valley. Either way, Jesus is the best encounter will ever have in this life.
It’s interesting to note, that as the two crowds met, Jesus Christ was concentrating and focused on the most needy person in the crowd. It did not matter to Jesus whether she was male or female, Jew or gentile, but the fact is the woman was the most neediest. The fact is, that Jesus Christ, is always interested in the most easiest person or persons in the group. It is a fact, that when Jesus entered a new location, he was always looking for those people who were in need, Because they were the ones that Jesus came to minister to. You see in several places Jesus said: “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” (Matthew 9:12, Luke 5:31, and Mark 2:17) we are often guilty of thinking just the opposite. For example, don’t we say: “ i’m so weak and I felt so much; that Jesus is not interested in me!” Wrong! Be encouraged! Jesus is very interested in your personal life, both in your struggles and in your successes. The Bible says he draws near to the lowly. And in this passage the widow has just lost her only son. He draws near her.
Jesus approaches the body of a young man being carried on a bier, a structure that allowed for the transport of a body or coffin for burial. Jesus commands the young man to rise, and he does. With great reverence, the crowd praises God and exclaims that a great prophet has come among them, with news of what Jesus has done spreading far and wide.
As, Luke sees it. Jesus responds to the need of a widow, whose only son has died (7:12) and has compassion on her (7:13). Luke’s inclusion of the detail that this was her only son highlights her difficult situation. Without a husband and now without any son to support her, it is very likely that she is now or will soon be financially destitute. Luke’s shaping of the story suggests that her sole means of support has been taken from her. You see, there was no social assistance set in place. There was no food banks, there were no food pantries, there was no food stamps, there was no EBT card, There were no death benefits,and the responsibility fell on the families. However, she had no family and this mother’s son was it for her. Finally, according to my studies, this woman would’ve had two choices. The first choice would be to become a beggar. The second choice were to become a prostitute. This lady was at her wits end. You see, in those days there were no nursing homes and it would’ve been a sin to put your parents into a nursing home. The Bible tells us that if you honor your father and your mother; then your life will be lengthened. (Exodus 20:12) For this reason children provided for their parents until their death. Furthermore, the scripture means that your life will be blessed. God promises to bless your comings and you’re going‘s. Your life will be extended because it’ll be in the protection of God. I’ve come to figure out, that if you’re no good to your mom and dad, then chances are you’re no good do the community!
For Luke emphasizes that, when Jesus sees her situation, “his heart went out to her” (7:13, niv). Three times Luke inserts the feminine pronoun into this single verse. Jesus’ compassion is fueled by the widow’s plight. In the ancient world much more than in contemporary Western settings, it was the case that people’s children were their retirement. Jesus’ compassionate restoration of this widow’s son may have meant the difference between survival and destitution.
I want you to notice here that two crowds met. One crowd traveled down to reach the bottom gate. This crowd is following a mother who is in morning. She can be easily recognized because she is most likely wearing all black and has torn her clothing. They are all weeping and wailing with her. While, the other crowd was following Jesus Christ. The ones in the funeral procession were in great anguish and there were gnashing of the teeth. They hired professionals to play flutes and other musical instruments. But, notice here, that two crowds meet at an intersection and something else happens. There is now two sons face-to-face with each other. One son, Jesus, who is alive, but the other son is dead and is his on the way to to the tomb. Yet, he is on his way to be brought back to life.
Now, we can see that there are two crowds and there are two enemies. The two enemies are: life and death. Therefore when life and death intersect someone has to give up the right away. Death cant abide when life shows up.
So you see: we have
2 lives,
2 crowds,
and 2 enemies.
But there are two cities represented. One is on the way to the silent city of the dead; while the other is going to the rejoicing city of heaven. And everyone here at Hissom Tabernacle are in one of those crowds! We are one of these two sons, we know one of these two enemies, and we are headed to one of these two cities.
If you are saved and filled with the Holy Ghost you were going to a city of rejoicing, but if you have rejected Jesus Christ you were headed for a awful place called hell. Where there is no water and you’ll face eternal fire. I’d rather go to a place that has pearly white gates, walls of Jasper and streets of Gold. But you have to know Jesus Christ in order to make it to that city.
The Bible said that when Jesus Saul her he had compassion on her. Notice here, that the miracle had not been asked for by anyone. The woman never asked Jesus to do anything. The Bible does not record anyone in the crowd soliciting Jesus for help. The woman is helpless and doesn’t expect help from Jesus Christ, because death is final and she is on her way to bury her only son. And her state of mind, death is final, and she is not looking for Jesus. This should encourage us right here! Because and your stuff, and your misery, and you are issues, and your trails, and your troubles, Jesus sees you! Sometimes, we get so messed up in our situation that we can’t even express how someone can help, but aren’t we thankful that Jesus knows. Scripture tells us that he knows what we have need of before we ask him. (Matthew 6:8). And in someway, and some how, Jesus brought you out, even though you did not see him -he saw you. When Jesus sell her and when Jesus sees you he has compassion!
Now, let’s back up to the last part of verse 13, it says: “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not” now King James interprets this as cry not, but if you go back into the earlier translations it actually means stop crying. Which makes far more sense, because why would the woman not cry if her only son was being buried. It makes more sense for Jesus to say stop crying your help has arrived. This should encourage us right here! Someone reading this blog or listening to my voice needs to know that Jesus is standing right here beside of you! He is saying stop crying, dry your tears, your help has arrived! Stop walking with your head down put your chin up! Stop worrying about who likes you and who doesn’t like you! Stop worrying about who wants to be your friend and who doesn’t want to be your friend! Stop worrying about your finances! Stop worrying about those snakes who are criticizing you or tearing you down! He wants us to know that he is here! He is in control! He has your back!
You know what God has brought to my attention? Some of us, like the woman who had a whole crowd following her, we like a whole lot of people feeling sorry for us. You know, those people that you don’t wanna ask: how are you doing? Because you know the answer! Their answer is something like this: well my medicine is too high, my children don’t call me, gas is to high, car insurance is too high, well just pray for me because…, All they want to do is whine, murmur, and complain. They don’t seem to ever have a good day in the Lord. They seek attention from their problems; instead of, giving God the glory. And we know what happens when we give God the glory? He draws all mankind to himself. Giving a great testimony enhances the opportunity for someone to get saved.
Listen, if you’re gonna worry don’t pray! If you’re going to pray don’t worry. He may not show up when you want him to or when you direct him to, but he’s always on time. When he shows up, he will dry your tears. He will open doors were doors were shut. He will do marvelous works. He’ll make your enemies leave you alone. He will shut the mouths of those who criticize you. He will put food on your table. He will put clothes on your back. He will heal your body. Jesus said, “stop crying!”
Listen, Jesus demonstrated why he wanted the widow to stop crying. Because he knew that he was going to wake that boy up! Jesus was so full of contact compassion that he did something that made him ceremonially unclean. He touched the funeral barrier and this may Jesus unclean. You can find this in numbers chapter 19. “Whoever touches the dead body of anyone will be unclean for seven days. He must purify himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then he will be clean.” In layman‘s terms, this meant that Jesus could not participate any further. He had to go home and begin his ritual. To be ceremonially clean again means that you also could not go back to church for a week. We all experienced and are experiencing Covid and know full well what it means to be in isolation. Remember, that means no contact with anyone and your house better be stopped with what you need for a week. Then, when you come back into public some people are still keeping their distance from you. Jesus would’ve been a time of isolation for Jesus.
Sometimes, we can’t see the forest from the trees. Sometimes we let the laws dictate what we can and cannot do; instead, of listening to the Holy Ghost. The text, says that Jesus had compassion on her. Jesus had compassion and love. And if we’ve been born again we also have this compassion and love. We need to quit being just Nazarenes and be Christlike. We need to allow the Holy Ghost to love and have compassion for people through us. When you see a need it, don’t murmur and complain, but do something about it. Don’t wait to be asked, but do something out of the love of God.
Near the end of today’s scripture, you’ll find that the people began to praise and glorify God. First, the people were in shock and in awe of what was going on. I’m sure some speculated if it was a set up or if it was real. But the people who had been following Jesus knew what he was capable world. For example, the centurion soldier realized who Jesus was and who’s authority that Jesus was operating under, because he told Jesus that he was not worthy of Jesus to visit his home. But he only had to speak yet and it would be done. Remember, Jesus marveled at his faith and understanding?
Notice here, that the people were glorifying God in those instances. When we use our talents and gifts with our resources two things can happen: one, being you get the credit glory for two, God gets the glory. When God gets the glory we lay treasures up in heaven. When we get the glory we are miss using the gifts God gave us, because he did not intend for us to use them in that way. After all, God should receive glory for his work. Furthermore,
1 Corinthians 10:31, KJV: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of “ Therefore, we should be careful and letting our light shine. Our light should shine to direct others to Christ and not for us to become boastful. Here, we see that the people were not glorifying Jesus, but they were glorifying God who sent him. Oh if we would only exercise our gifts, in the right way, as we serve in ministry. So, that when people seen us, they would see us as the instrument; in which, God used to complete the task.
So Jesus touched him. Now, he wasn’t in a closed casket. He was on a BIER; which in Jesus‘s time, was kind of like a plank. This boy was mumified. He was bound up by tightly wrapped linen cloth. In order for him to get up he had to get out. Let me repeat that: “in order for him to get up he had to get out!” Now, for us today, the Lord is trying to resuscitate someone. Now before you can receive God, you have to get up. You have to get up in order to get out. Now, I would love to introduce you to this man called Jesus Christ. He is only a prayer away. Be leaving in him, accepting him, and repenting of your sins, it’s all but it takes. Are you ready?
