First, 'Don't cry' (11-13). Jesus, his disciples and a large crowd were on their way to Nain. As they approached the town gate, they were met by a funeral procession. The only son of a widow had died and a large crowd from the town was with this widow to bury her son. This widow had lost everything - her husband and then her son. Her future looked bleak and sorrowful. Jesus' heart went out to this widow. He said, 'Don't cry.' Life can make us cry but Jesus comforts us in all of our sorrows. Second, 'I say to you, get up!' (14-17). Jesus had more in mind than comforting this widow. He went up and touched the bier. The bearers stopped. Then Jesus said, 'Young man, I say to you, get up!' The dead man got up and was alive again! Jesus is God who gives life to the dead. The people praised God. They recognized that God had come to help his people. Jesus gives hope to the hopeless and turns our sorrows into joy.
Application: Lord, thank you for your compassion and life-giving power. Please comfort the sorrowful and give new life to the spiritually dead.
One Word: Jesus can raise the dead back to life