In Nain (Luke 7)

The story of the widow of Nain has long been one of my favorite Gospel passages. Perhaps I like it because it is unique to Luke. This is a rare passage that is found in only one of the Gospels. Or, more likely, I like it because it is a story about an only child, an only son. I am an only son. And it so happens that my mother is a widow. Perhaps those are facts that give me an emotional attachment to the story.

I think, though, that I cherish the passage for more reasons than that. I think I cherish the passage because it reminds us how Jesus gives us hope in the worst of circumstances. For the widow of Nain, this was a bad time. Of course, it was bad because her only child had died. The pain that, that tragedy would cause doesn't even have to be stated. But the disaster was worse than that. In the first-century, women were typically dependent on men to support them. A woman without a husband or a son was a woman who was likely to have a difficult, impoverished life. The prospects for the widow of Nain were very bad. Yet, at this moment of crisis, Jesus enters the scene. And as Jesus comes, a time of tragedy and sorrow is transformed to a time of hope and joy.

The story of the widow of Nain reminds us of three things:

1. It reminds us that Jesus cares. He has compassion for the poor widow even though He has never met her.

2. It reminds us that Jesus is a powerful helper. Jesus comes into this tragedy and transforms us in a way that no one else could.

3. It reminds us that Jesus is near. I love the ending to the story. I love what the people have become convinced of in verse 16. They say: "God has visited His people!"

I think that is why I love this story so much. I love that statement: "God has visited His people!" In Jesus, that is true. In Jesus, we have help for the worst of circumstances. In Jesus, God is close.