Here are the main points I hope you hold in your heart after reading this story:
· Jesus has the power of resurrection for the son in the story, for you and me, and for himself.
· Jesus is compassionate. He knows our pain and is empathetic.
· Jesus comes to us in our darkest moments and gives us hope.
Enjoy this brief excerpt from Sharing Stories of Jesus with Children as well as my reflection and scripture reference.
Jesus raises a boy from the dead as the crowd stares in astonishment and offers prayers.
Get Up
Wooden casket,
weeping mom
such a sad time
so forlorn.
Funeral procession
winding road
many mourners
it is cold.
Jesus sees her
feels her pain,
words unspoken
won’t be the same.
Mom doesn’t ask
for help from him.
Her heart is broken
future looks grim.
Her son has passed
the loss is great
he needs to be buried
before it’s too late.
“Young man get up,”
Jesus says to the boy.
He opens his eyes
then there is joy.
Alive, alive
a miracle today.
Life after death
in Christ there’s a way.
If you enjoyed this poem click on the books link within this website for easy access to purchasing Sharing Stories of Jesus with Children. God Bless You.
Reflection:
To appreciate what led up to the miracle, it is good to understand the preparation and execution of a funeral during Biblical times.
1. The person must be buried the day of his death. Otherwise, it is considered sinfully disrespectful.
2. Mourners and at least two pipers are hired even if the family is poor. Keeners were hired to provide lamentations.
3. Charitable organizations prepared the body by anointing it with oil, bathing it and wrapping it in shrouds.
4. Coffins, usually wooden, were used for burial, but the body was brought to the graveside, in a kliva, a sort of knitted covering.
If you have ever witnessed a parent burying a child, then you can relate to this story. You can picture the somber atmosphere, the tears, heartbreaking memories shared, and profound sadness. When Jesus arrives in the city of Nain he comes upon the funeral possession and is immediately drawn to the pain of the widow whose son has died. With compassion, he touches the coffin and says, “Young man I say to you arise.” In plain view of the massive crowd the son is raised from the dead. Clothed in shrouds, he sits up and begins to speak.
How would you have reacted to this miracle? Would you have questioned its authenticity? Wondered if it could be a trick? Was it planned? OR would you have fallen to your knees, fully understanding the power of Christ, awestruck at this miracle? Would you have praised God or fallen silent in amazement? Did anyone look at the mother? What was her reaction? Was she a Jesus follower from that point on?
Here are the main points I hope you hold in your heart after reading this story:
· Jesus has the power of resurrection for the son in the story, for you and me, and for himself.
· Jesus is compassionate. He knows our pain and is empathetic.
· Jesus comes to us in our darkest moments and gives us hope.
Luke 7:11-17
11Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd. 12Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” 15The dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people!” 17This report concerning Him went out all over Judea and in all the surrounding district.
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