THINK TOGETHER.
Have you ever been to a funeral? What was it like.
READ TOGETHER.
Luke 7:11-17. 11Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” 17And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.
Up until now, Jesus has done lots of miracles. He has turned water into wine (his first miracle). He has healed sick people and cast out demons from people. He has even healed a man with leprosy. Do you remember that story? But what Jesus does in this story is one of his greatest miracles so far. Jesus brought a dead boy back to life! And he did it at the boy’s funeral.
In today’s Bible story it says that this young man’s mom was a widow. That means that her husband had also passed away. Back then if a woman lost her husband and her son she might also lose her land and her house. Land was owned by men only, not women. Without a son, she could end up very poor on top of already being very sad.
But Jesus came to help the poor. He came to make sure that everyone in God’s kingdom was taken care of. That’s why Jesus walked up into that funeral and told the dead boy to ARISE. Get up. As if he was only sleeping and not really dead. What happened? The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Why did Jesus do miracles like this? Well, one reason is because he was full of compassion. Jesus truly loved and cared about people who were hurt and sad. He wanted them to be alright. The other reason Jesus did miracles like this is to show us what God’s kingdom on earth will be like someday. Jesus didn’t heal everyone. He didn’t raise all the dead sons of widows back to life. He didn’t cure every leper and cast out every demon.
But one day he will! One day Jesus will make everything that is wrong into what is right. Look at how the end of the Bible says it:
Revelation 21:4. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
That sounds like a great day doesn’t it. Until then let’s make today great by helping others like Jesus did.
Because of Jesus everything wrong will be made right.
With Jesus we can have compassion and help others too.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Do you know anyone that’s been sad lately? How can you cheer them up? Make a plan together to do something nice for someone who is going through a hard time.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, one day all will be right in this world. Until then help me trust and to do what is right. Amen.
TLICfamily 