Luke 7:14-15

New International Version

Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

For Meditation

How could he not rise? The life-giver had commanded. The soul of that young man had no reason to remain in the realm of the dead. It had only one option—to obey the command of his Creator—Jesus Christ, Son of the living God.

He saw the grieving mother drenched with sorrow, crying for the second time. She cried for her dead husband the first time. Now she was crying for her only son. The icy hands of that cruel thief they call death had snatched away from her, the only hope in life. And now, the grave has opened wide to swallow her heart a second time. What will she do now? How can she continue to live?

The whispers! The insinuations! If only they will even say it to her face. Yet they came around in numbers, presumably to mourn with her. While they expressed their sympathies, they sneered. “You witch! When will it be enough for you?” Still, they walked with her, the pallbearers displaying their skills.

Jesus steps on the scene. The consummate rescuer He is, He has come to planet earth for this purpose. Cruel death is in trouble. The terror it packs, and the fear it has effectively used to enslave all human beings were ending. Pretty soon, Jesus will reveal death as only a bully. The Master has come. The light that gives life to humans has appeared with compassion to embrace the grieving mother.

“Don’t cry,” Jesus tells her.

His mighty right hand tenderly touches the coffin bearing the stiff body of the widow of Nain’s son.

“Young man, I say to you, get up!”

His voice shatters the darkness. The brilliance of His face shines on the soul of the dead man. He opens his eyes and smiles at Jesus, and he sits up. Amazing! 

A great prophet has come among us, the stunned mourners shouted. God has indeed visited His people!

You have it right. Jesus is the prophet Moses spoke about in Deuteronomy 18:15. He is the God of Israel who has visited His people that old priest Zechariah sang about at the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:68). He is the same person old Simeon called “God’s salvation” at His dedication in the temple (2:30). And O, our dear grieving widow, didn’t your compatriot, the old widow and prophetess, Anna, speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the salvation of Jerusalem (36-38)?

He is the resurrection and the life—the Christ who presents to you, the opportunity to live after death. Death does not have the final say after all. The Savior does, and you have seen His glory in the raising of the widow’s son. What then is your response to Him? How do you respond to His call to discipleship (Matthew 11:28; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; Titus 2:11-13).