When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.

Luke 7:13

For Meditation

Read the story carefully and see the Master’s heart for the suffering and marginalized (Lk. 7:11-17).  Be sure not to miss the critical lesson for the grieving and sorrowing. Your cry touches the heart of God, and He cares.

Jesus went to the village called Nain with His disciples. The large crowd that had become His signature entourage trailed Him. Yet, He spotted the grieving woman. Widows have a unique spot in His heart. “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling” (Ps. 68:5). That is who Christ is. 

His heart went out to this poor woman whose world had fallen apart. As if burying her husband was not heartbreaking enough, now she must lay her only son to rest. Nobody told Him about her plight. Jesus knew it, just as He knows what you are going through now. 

“His heart overflowed with compassion” for the widow (13nlt). Tenderly, He said to her.

“Don’t cry!” 

He then turned to the coffin. “Young man, I say to you, get up!” No one speaks to a corpse the way Jesus did (14). His voice had authority, and the young man sat up and began to talk (14-15).

Never forget this scene. The heart of Christ overflows with compassion for you, who are crying over a painful situation. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, a heartbreaking divorce or disappointment, a job loss, a threatening illness, whatever your story is, the compassionate heart of Jesus has gone out to embrace you. Tune your ears to hear His tender voice bringing you comfort. Then watch Him turn to your circumstance and speak life and recovery into it. It is all for your joy and the glory of God. Amen!