Today concludes our spirit week here at Advent EMS.  It has been a great week and the students have learned and had a lot of fun.  One of the main focuses has been on the power of Jesus to work in our lives when we need Him the most.  We all go through things in life that are challenging and Jesus is always there right beside us and sometimes even carrying us through.  Let’s look at another story of this found in Luke 7 together today.

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

I can’t read the mind of Jesus but my guess is that this healing was less about the boy or even the large crowds that were around Him or in the funeral march.  I would guess that this miracle was simple about easing a woman’s pain and suffering.  Here is a widow, who has already lost her husband and now she faces the loss of her son as well.  Jesus’ first words to her are don’t cry, which to me shows that he is focused on her and her pain.  He then goes and touches the bier which is holding the son and tells him to get up.  That’s the thing about Jesus He loves us and cares about our pain.  When you are walking through a hard time and feeling hurt or alone, Jesus is with you.  He wants to tell you not to cry and wipe away your tears.  He doesn’t always take the pain right away but He is with us every step of the way through it.  Next time you feel alone in your hurt remember this story and thank Jesus that you are never alone.  He is right there with you.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave