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- Oct 26, 2007
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Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried [him] stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Luke 7:14-15 NKJV
Jesus had compassion for everyone, but He specifically sought opportunities to help the powerless—and few people in society were more powerless than childless widows. In Jesus’ day, a woman’s rights were bound up in her husband or male children. If a woman didn’t have a man in her life to speak for her and protect her, she might well be cast out of society to become a beggar.
So when Jesus saw the widow of Nain walking alongside her only son’s coffin, He used the opportunity. In a scene reminiscent of the Old Testament prophet Elijah—see 1 Kings 17:17-24—Jesus brought the widow’s son back to life.
The widow now had a protector again. The people who witnessed the miracle believed Jesus was the prophet they were waiting for. Modern readers can see an example of Christ’s heart and priorities.
As Jesus sought out opportunities to help the powerless, so should you. The widows of Jesus’ society were practically voiceless, but Jesus heard their cries. In what position of society has God placed you to hear the voiceless?
How can you lend them your power?
Prayer: Lord, help me to see and act on opportunities to help the powerless.
Jesus had compassion for everyone, but He specifically sought opportunities to help the powerless—and few people in society were more powerless than childless widows. In Jesus’ day, a woman’s rights were bound up in her husband or male children. If a woman didn’t have a man in her life to speak for her and protect her, she might well be cast out of society to become a beggar.
So when Jesus saw the widow of Nain walking alongside her only son’s coffin, He used the opportunity. In a scene reminiscent of the Old Testament prophet Elijah—see 1 Kings 17:17-24—Jesus brought the widow’s son back to life.
The widow now had a protector again. The people who witnessed the miracle believed Jesus was the prophet they were waiting for. Modern readers can see an example of Christ’s heart and priorities.
As Jesus sought out opportunities to help the powerless, so should you. The widows of Jesus’ society were practically voiceless, but Jesus heard their cries. In what position of society has God placed you to hear the voiceless?
How can you lend them your power?
Prayer: Lord, help me to see and act on opportunities to help the powerless.
