Lucas 7

Lucas 7

Meyer - Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. No widow stands by the bier of her only son, no mother by the empty cot of her babe, no lover beside the fading beauty of his beloved — but the Son of Man, unseen but glorious, is at hand, seeing, understanding, touched with compassion, and saying, in his tenderest tones, Weep not! Weep not: Love is eternal. — Hast thou forgotten that there are three things which abide for evermore, the greatest of which is love? Is it likely that those blessed ties which have woven us to others can be snapped by death, which can only touch the body, but is not able to reach the soul? Is not love of God — and can God’s love change, and pass away? No; though severed from your sight, the dear ones that are gone are thine today, and have not forgotten, but love thee still. Without us they cannot be made perfect. Weep not: recognition of the beloved dead is certain. — Did not Mary and the women, Peter and five hundred more, recognize Jesus after his resurrection? Is He not the same Man? Are we not to be like Him? Recognition went so far, in his case, that the Magdalene recognized the very tones of his voice, when He said Mary, and she answered Rabboni. Yes, though refined and purified, the face thou hast loved shall smile, and the tones that have made thy heart-music shall speak again. Weep not! Weep not: they shall rise again, nevermore to be separated. — The Lord raised this youth to life; but there had to be another parting, when his mother or he died. But when thy dear ones are re-united to thee, there will be no more partings. There shall be no more sea. Thy heart shall find its mate. Thou and he shall go no-more out. Luke 7:14 And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise!" KJV And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. coffin. Lk 8:54,55; 1 Kings 17:21; Job 14:12,14; Ps 33:9; Isaiah 26:19; Ezekiel 37:3-10; John 5:21,25,28,29; 11:25,43,44; Acts 9:40,41; Romans 4:17; Ephesians 5:12 Luke 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 7:11-17 Christ’s Hope and Power for a Hurting World - Steven Cole Luke 7:11-17 Jesus' Power over Death - John MacArthur Related Passages: Numbers 19:11; 16+ ‘The one who touches the corpse of any person shall be unclean for seven days. 16 ‘Also, anyone who in the open field touches one who has been slain with a sword or who has died naturally, or a human bone or a grave, shall be unclean for seven days. Resurrection of the Widow's son from Nain Altar panel by Lucas Cranach the Younger, c. 1569 JESUS SPEAKS TO A DEAD MAN! Luke has just recorded Jesus' power over disease and now records His power over death. Now don't let this escape your notice! It would be like being at the funeral visitation and a person walks up to the casket and says "Arise!" Imagine the bystanders' initial reaction when they heard His "Arise!" Their shock at His words would soon be fear at the dead man's coming to life in front of their eyes! Just place yourself in "beautiful" Nain on that day. How would you have reacted? Would you have like they did call Jesus a great prophet, but miss that He is the Great God? And - Don't miss this little word which connects what is before and after and can yield precious insights when you pause and ponder. He came up and touched (hapto) the coffin - What motivated this action which was radical to say the least (see TECHNICAL NOTE below)? What filled His heart came out of His mouth and motivated His action! (Lk 7:13). Compassion should not just be passive but active. Does this describe your compassion? Are you imitating Jesus (cf 1Co 11:1+) abiding in Him (1Jn 2:6+), following in His steps (1Peter 2:21+)? If you are filled with His Spirit continually (Eph 5:18+), your answer is a God glorifying "Yes!" By custom Jewish funerals included an open coffin. How do we know it was open? Observe! Observe! Observe! We know it was open because he sat up! It is considered to be ceremonially defiling to the one who touches the coffin (Nu 19:11, 16+). Jesus is not fazed, for He is not tainted by defilement but in fact as