The Miracle at Nain

Jesus and His disciples left Capernaum and began to make their way toward Jerusalem. Look at Luke 7:11. "Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd."

Jesus had just healed the servant of a centurion at Capernaum (vv. 1-10), and now He is about to step up His game. He and His disciples, followed by a large crowd of curious onlookers, came to the "city called Nain" (v. 11a). "And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her" (v. 12).

Nain is a small city, "a village," might better describe this town. It is one of those small towns where everyone knows nearly everyone. So a large number of people, "a large crowd... was with her" (v. 12b). Nearly all came to the funeral of this beloved widow's son. So crowd meets crowd, greatly multiplying the number of people who witnessed this miracle first hand.

"When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, 'Do not weep'" (v. 13). Jesus felt a sincere concern for this widow because of her great misfortune and suffering. As a widow in that society and at that time, she already had little to no means of earning a living, but now her only provider, her only son, had died and was being carried out of the city to the cemetery to be buried.

Then Jesus "came and touched the open coffin" (v. 14a). In that day, this was the final opportunity to view the body for closure to the loss of this young man. But Jesus touched the coffin, "and those who carried him stood still"(v. 14b). Then Jesus spoke to the young man who had died, saying, "Young man, I say to you, arise" (v. 14c).

And what happened? There are too many witnesses for this to be denied. "He who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother" (v. 15). Jesus raised this young man from the dead! He restored him to life and restored him to his mother, so that he could again provide for her needs.

"Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, 'A great prophet has risen up among us'; and, 'God has visited His people'" (v. 16). Verse 17 concludes, "And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region." Rightly so. It was true. God had visited His people in His Son Jesus Christ. Trust Jesus. Follow Jesus. Jesus meets needs; your needs! He will even perform a miracle, if need be, to take care of you! Amen.