Sometimes, the circumstances of others are almost too challenging. How can anyone understand the pain of this widow losing her only son in the ancient world? After showing his authority over disease for an outsider in the earlier verses of this chapter, now Jesus goes one better. In this passage, he shows his power over death. And he does this for a nobody. Obviously, this widow in Nain was not a nobody. But after previously losing her husband, now she had lost her only son. This tragedy meant that effectively she had no future: no support, no security and no family. Her prospects were bleak, but Jesus’ heart went out to this poor woman.

The miracle Jesus performed in Nain was really a resuscitation from the dead. The boy was not resurrected, never to die again, as Jesus would be later on in Luke. He was brought back to life – a notable miracle, nonetheless. The crowd certainly noticed it. They declared that Jesus was a great prophet (v 16), and they saw in this miracle the evidence that God was at work in their midst. They spoke better than they knew, for God physically had come to help his people that day!

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’¹

It is easy to miss multiple important cultural themes in today’s story. This widow’s situation is serious – she has lost her husband and now her ‘only son’ (v 12) has died, her last means of support. She is probably past the age of childbearing and therefore will not marry again. Unless a relative comes to her aid, she will be left penniless and her future will be bleak. People will try to take advantage of her, and she may be reduced to begging for food to survive. Luke emphasises how dire her situation is – she is exactly the kind of person Jesus has come to help. When Jesus sees her, Luke says, ‘His heart went out to her’ (v 13) – the Greek indicates an intense feeling of pity and compassion for someone.

The elaborate funeral procession is an important way to honour the dead in Jewish culture. Relatives follow the body through town, bystanders are expected to join, and hired mourners even cry aloud to draw attention to the spectacle. This explains the ‘large crowd’ (v 12) with the widow at this stage. Yet the throng of mourners will soon go home and she will be left destitute and alone. When Jesus tells her not to cry, he is recognising her desperate situation and reassuring her that it will be OK.

When Jesus raises her son from the dead, he makes a point of giving him back to his mother. She and her dire situation are the focus throughout. Luke is saying that Jesus notices the broken and hopeless and is moved by their plight; so much so that he brings hope out of tragedy and restores the widow’s son to life. Are you in a hopeless situation, surrounded by tragedy? Jesus’ heart is moved for you in just the same way.

Lord, thank you that you care for the details of our lives and that you also intervene miraculously. Replace the pain and tragedy of our lives with your hope today.

¹ Rom 15:13