Powerful Compassion (Luke 7:11-17)
Sermon Series: Journeying With Jesus: Through The Gospel of Luke
June 23, 2024
Only 6 stories of those raised from the dead. 2 Ot: Kings 17(Zarephath) 2 Kings 4 (Shunnamite), 3 Gospel, 1 Acts
Heb 11:35 – “Women received their loved ones back again from death”
The recipient of virtually all of the miracles of resurrection are women.
Luke 7:11-17 (NLT)
11 Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. 12 A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her.
I. The Plight of the Widow (11-12)
A) Two Crowds
B) The experience of the widow
C) Grief is the tax we pay on love.
13 When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. 14 Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” 15 Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
II. The Authority & Compassion of Jesus (13-15)
A) Resurrection power and deep empathy for human suffering
B) Jesus’ authority over the law, sin, and even death
16 Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today.” 17 And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside.
III. The Response of the Crowd (16-17)
A) Reacted as in the presence of God: fear and wonder.
B) “God has visited” is a major theme: I will be their God, they will be my people and I will dwell among them.
Application: We are to use our power and authority to care for the vulnerable, and to contribute to human flourishing.