Hunkered Down Devotion

Luke 7:11-16 (Voice)
11 It wasn’t long after this when Jesus entered a city called Nain. Again all of His disciples accompanied Him, along with a huge crowd. 12 He was coming near the gate of the city as a corpse was being carried out. This man was the only child and support of his widowed mother, and she was accompanied by a large funeral crowd.
13 As soon as the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her.
Jesus: Don’t weep.
14 Then He came to the stretcher, and those carrying it stood still.
Jesus: Young man, listen! Get up!
15 The dead man immediately sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother, 16 and everyone was both shocked and jubilant. They praised God.
Funeral Crowd: A tremendous prophet has arisen in our midst! God has visited His people!

It is a crazy thing to say, especially as a pastor, but I sometimes forget about all the people Jesus raised from the dead.  I mean, everyone remembers Lazarus, but after that the details get a littler blurry……. We just read about a boy, and is there a girl too?  It’s hard to keep track of all of Jesus’ miracles – even the big ones.  (Jesus resurrected three people: Lazarus; this boy – usually referred to as the widow of Nain’s son; and Jairus’ daughter).  

One of the most amazing parts of these stories – to me at least – is that these most impressive of miracles don’t seem to require any special preparation or, really, anything other that a few simple words from Jesus: ‘Get up’.  

In the busyness of our lives it is easy for us to get weighed down by the things we can’t control and all that seems to be going wrong: the pandemic; natural disasters; political and partisan division; and so much more.

For many of us our personal lives are no less challenging as we struggle with parenting; challenges and changes at work; strains on our closest and most important relationships; addition and more.  

There is no problem, no issue bigger or more permanent that death.  It is the last and most severe issue any of us will face.  This miracle story is a vital reminder to us that the God that we believe in, the God that loves us so much that he came down to be with us, is bigger, more powerful, stronger than any of our problems, even death.

There is no part of our lives that Jesus can’t resurrect.  There is nothing too far gone for Jesus to breathe life into.  There is no problem that won’t fade at the word of Jesus Christ.  Whatever issues and problems you are facing in your own life, and whatever problems we face as a community, a country, and a world, Jesus is up to the challenge.  Jesus is able to save, and because of Jesus we too can be ‘more than conquerors of all that stands against us.

Sharing God’s Love, 
Chip  

Prayer:  Lord, at the sound of your voice, even death is powerless.  Help us to trust in you and bring all that is on our hearts and minds to you.  Amen.