The Word of the Lord

Who of us has not felt the hand of death touch our lives whether from a family member or a friend. Who of us has not felt the heart ache that comes with that touch. But there is a touch so much greater and that is what I want to share with you. In Luke 7:11-16 you will find the story I am speaking about now.

Two groups of people meet near the gate of the city of Nain. Two groups with extremely different emotions riding high that day. Jesus with many of His disciples with Him and I can just hear the talk and laughter as they walk along with this magnetic personality. At the same time there is another sound and it is the sound of flutes, cymbals, women chanting their laments and men praying. The most outstanding personality in this group is a woman. Death and life meet each other that day in Nain.

The Bible tells us she is a widow and she is carrying her only son out to be buried. Already with great heartache from her husband’s earlier death she now feels that touch again as it reaches to take her only child. Alone now, no one to care, and facing an uncertain future she is in the funeral procession with no hope.

The Bible says in verse 13, "and when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, WEEP NOT." Then Jesus breaks all protocol and also the rabbinic law. He came and touched the bier, and those that were carrying him stood still. Jesus speaks the second time, and says, " Young man, I say unto thee, arise."

The Bible never tells us the woman knew Jesus, or even knew who He was. She did not ask for a miracle nor did she demonstrate some great faith. SHE HAD A NEED AND JESUS SAW IT. He performs this out of the great compassion that floods through Him for us and our needs.

Verse 15 is so exciting. "He that was dead sat up ,and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother." I have often wondered what the young man said, I somehow think his first word was "Mother."

We never face a trial of any type that God does not know it. He may not be walking down your street as He was that day but the Bible tells us in Matthew 28:20 that "He is with us always even unto the end of the world." The precious Holy Spirit that Jesus sent back to dwell on the earth when He returned to heaven after His Resurrection from the dead is with us now. We are never alone. While the Holy Spirit is here on earth and is everywhere at one time let me show you what Jesus Christ is doing for us. Hebrews 7:25 says, "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Romans 8:34, "Christ is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." JESUS CHRIST IS INTERCEDING FOR YOU AND ME. Daily He cries out our need before God. When we pray it is not because the Lord does not know what you have a need for but it is a way of bringing us into fellowship with God. It keeps our communication flowing. It causes us to stop and consider the One who truly can do something about our need whether they be great or small.

Just as compassion touched the Lord’s heart that day He is still aware of our needs this day.  Hebrews 4:13 says, "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Yes, Jesus touches our life in a manner that brings peace regardless of what else touches us. PRAISE HIS NAME!