“Rejoicing in the Morning”

Have you ever found yourself in a place of need where humanly you can’t see a way forward – things seem ‘hopeless’? So desperate that unless God steps in, you feel you can hardly survive? Maybe you’re close to that today? In a strange KofH way, you are blessed! Ever notice how it is the poor, those who mourn, those hungry, those persecuted for their faith who Jesus says are blessed. Make sense?

 

Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.

- close to Capernaum, center of ministry/teaching, crowd with Jesus because so attractive – when genuine needs met (healing, love, etc), people are drawn. World full of sorrow. What are genuine needs today?

 

As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out--the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

- know that burial site near the gate, procession of mourners. Most significant thing, only son of a widow (family would not continue, no visible means of support). Woman at her end, no hope, how could things continue? We see and hear God most when we’re at our limit, in our ‘desert’. You? ‘Pain God’s megaphone’.

 

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

- in comes Jesus, no coincidence (are we looking for similar opportunities, are we available?), understand the compassion of Jesus, reflection of God.

Time will come when all tears will cease (apart from those of joy), but not yet. Sometimes God leads us to the desert to meet with us (experience of Jesus).

 

Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still.

- religious convention/ritual laid aside for the sake of this woman and son. Though risked becoming unclean, compassion for suffering overrides this. What about how we relate to those considered ‘unclean’?

 

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.

Both the power of Jesus witnessed – spoken creative word (same with us and prophecy), not uncommon for some Rabbi’s to heal/deliver – but raising the dead?! This sets Jesus apart – conquest of death. First time Jesus called ‘Lord’ in Luke. Also the Lord’s desire to restore the family. Just like Elijah. More important than asking young man to follow him.

 

They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people."

- refrain of people steeped in history of time in Egypt. God becomes the deliverer, in the words of Psalm 30, he turns mourning into dancing, and joy.

 

Rev. Mike Watson – BridgePoint Church - www.bridgepoint.org