Scripture: Luke 7:11-17; Psalms 146; 1 Kings 17:8-16
Title: New Life in Nain
Sermon: In this passage Luke shares with us the Power of Four Important Things - 1. The Power of Universal Death 2. The Power of Love 3. The Power of Tears and 4. The Power of Life which comes through Christ Jesus .
INTRO:
Many years ago a young pastor1 was getting ready to do preach his first funeral message. He was a little nervous and wanted it to be just right, so he decided the best way to do that was to see how Jesus handled funeral services. If anyone could show him what to say or what to do, it would be Jesus. As he began his search the Gospels the young man quickly noticed a pattern that emerged concerning Jesus. Jesus attended marriage celebrations, he attended all kinds of parties but there is no record of Jesus ever conducting a funeral service.
The young man did discover that on three different occasions when Jesus could have been at a funeral or at least attended a memorial service that Jesus interrupted everything by bringing the dead person back to life.
+St. Matthew shares with us the story of how Jesus brought Jarius' daughter back to life (Matthew 9:18-26)
+St. John shares with us the story of how Jesus called Lazarus back from the dead after four days. (John 11:38-44)
+And in our passage here in St. Luke shares with our story of how Jesus stops the funeral proceedings, comforts the grieving mother and then brings her son back to life. Our story predates those of Matthew and John. This is the very first time that we see Jesus bringing someone back from the dead.
The background of our story is quite intriguing. Just a few days earlier, Luke tells us that Jesus had been preaching and teaching around the city of Capernaum. The city of Capernaum served as Jesus' missions headquarters. It was the home of several of his disciples (Matthew, James, John, Peter and Andrew) and it was an ideal location to meet and greet large groups of people. Capernaum was both a thriving economical center and an important military outpost. Caravans and travelers from all over the area would stop by Capernaum to restock their supplies and rest.
While Jesus was there, Luke tells us that He miraculously healed a centurion's dying slave. This centurion was one of the most important men of that area. He was responsible for keeping the peace and making sure everyone stayed safe.
He was a great friend of the Jewish elders and had even been a key player in helping them build their synagogue. They had been the ones that had gone to Jesus to see if He could do anything for the young man. It's a remarkable story of faith, love and humility.
Jesus heals the young man which causes quite a buzz. As a result a large crowd of people began to follow Jesus and His disciples. They wanted to know more about this man named Jesus who could not only heal but who would even heal a Gentile's dying slave. They wanted to learn more about Him and His Message of God's Grace and Salvation.
In verse 11, Luke tells us that Jesus decided that it is time to go on another missionary tour and so he set off for the small community of Nain which was located about 20 -25 miles southwest of Capernaum. A large crowd of people decide to go with him. Perhaps they wanted to learn more about him or to see if he will perform another great miracle. If that was the case then as we read they were not disappointed. If they thought healing that centurion's servant was a great miracle then what they were about to see would amaze them even more. And it did!
As they walked mile after mile Jesus taught them and shared with them about the Kingdom of God. He probably taught them the Sermon on the Mount or something very similar. The trip from Capernaum to Nain would have taken a few days as Jesus would stop and teach, they would share a meal, rest and then go on. Traveling 20 - 25 miles back then would have taken at least 2 - 3 days.
Verse 12 tells us that just as Jesus and his followers were going up the hill into the city's gates they encountered a group of people coming down out of the city. It was a funeral procession. Located right on the outskirts of the town was a line of burial caves where the residents of Nain would burying their dead and these people were going to lay their loved one to rest.
We understand that Jesus and his followers quickly learned about the tragic circumstances that surround this funeral. It involved a widow who had not only had to endure the loss of her husband but is now on her way to burying her only son. The young man doubtless had been the sole caretaker of his mother. Since his father's death, it had been his responsibility to provide for her a home and take care of her needs. But now he is dead and her future is bleak at best. She will have to depend on the love and generosity of others. Both sorrow and uncertainty fill the air. This story begins as one of the saddest stories of grief and sorrow that we find in the New Testament. No woman ever wants to bury her husband much less have to bury her only son.
It is a story that shows us what could be called the Four Great Powers of Life. It's a story that reveals to us four things that are very powerful in and of themselves. Three of those things we will all encounter but if we allow the fourth thing to rule in our lives then it will make all the difference like it did in our passage this morning.
I. The first thing we see is Universal Power of Death - Verse 12
Death touches everything on our planet. It touches the Plant Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom. All of us here this morning have been touched by the Universal Power of Death. We see it all around us. All we have to do is go outside and look around. Plants, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses and even bugs have been and will be touched by the power of death. Death is no stranger to any of us.
We humans are not exempt. Each day our newspapers are full of obituaries and death notices. Nearly, 7000 people die in our nation each and every day. Over 151,000 people die every day all over our world according to ecology global network. That is a staggering number. That means that this year over 55 million people will die and go into eternity. 55 million people that we need to make sure hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Our Heavenly Father did not design any of us to die in the manner we do today. In the beginning the writer of Genesis tells us that the LORD made a way for humanity to enjoy everlasting life through the eating of the tree of life. I believe that it was the LORD's intention for all of us to enjoy life here on earth forever and ever. Adam and Eve were not design to experience death as we do today. It was the LORD's intention for humanity to create an Eden like world and enjoy life but as we know we chose to rebel and to sin against the LORD. As a result, sin and therefore death entered into our world (Romans 6:23). Sin not only robs us and creates chaos it ultimately brings death. To protect Adam and Eve, the LORD placed an angel to guard the tree of Life so that they could not eat of it and condemn themselves for ever (Genesis 3:24). Revelation 22:2 reminds us that the Tree of Life will once again be enjoyed at the end of time as it brings life and healing.
In this life we all know that death comes to us all. The Bible tells us plainly that "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
Death is now a part of our world. Death is not a respecter of persons. It does not matter how rich or poor, how beautiful or common, how young or old you are - death comes to everyone and everything on earth.
Death is a power that we humans have very little control over and no ultimate power to stop. Though our modern technology and skill we have been able to extend and prolong life but we have not been able to defeat death. We have spent trillions of dollars in our feeble attempt to do so, but it seems that the upper level for human life is around 110 - 120 years of age. Emma Morano of Italy is presently the oldest living human being at the age of 116+ years. We must remember in Genesis 6:3 the LORD made it clear to Noah that He was going to place a time limit on how long humans would live. If you remember that time limit was right around 120 years. After the time of Moses, Aaron and Joshua we see that throughout our history that has been our longevity limit - right around 120 years. In recent times very few have even made it to that mark. Jeanne Louise Calment (21 February 1875 – 4 August 1997) was the last person to make it past that mark as she died at the age of 122 years, 164 days.
The majority of us here this morning will enjoy about 85 years here on this planet. Some of us will live a little longer while others of us will be called home a little sooner. 85 may not seem like a great many years and it isn't especially if you are near that number but for the average person living in Russia and Sierra Leone it is quite remarkable. The average lifespan of a person living in Russia today is only 68 while in Sierra Leone it is only 56 years. But they don't come close to the fate of the poor people who grow up and live in Haiti. The average lifespan today of a Haitian native has fallen to a mere 38 years. Can you imagine what it would be like to live in such a country where the average person lives less than 40 years?
But whether it is 85 or 56 or even 38 there is still one unmistakable fact and it is that Death is a Universal Power touching everyone and everything. Even the great patriarchs like Adam and Noah who lived over 900 years could not escape death. The Bible tells us that they too experienced the Power of Universal Death.
In our story here we don't know what happened to this young man, all we know is that the Universal Power of Death touched him. Earlier it had touched his father and now it had taken him. Luke tells us that after his death his family had prepared his body and they were on their way to place him in one of the burial caves when Jesus stepped in and transformed everything.
II. A second thing we see in this story is the Amazing Power of Love - Verses 12 - 13
Love truly is an amazing thing. Luke shares with us the Power of Death but also the Power of Love. The Power of Love I believe is the greatest powers that we have here on our earth. We see that power of love being expressed by all those who were with this widow. We see the power of love being expressed by this young mother with the loss of her only son. We see the power of love in Jesus and his followers as they stop to join the funeral procession.
The Power of Love can transform a person and a situation. The Power of Love can cause us to do amazing things in this life.
MIss Aleida Huissen was a 78 year old chain smoker. She lived in Rotterdam, Netherlands. For over 50 years she had been a heavy smoker, waking up each morning grapping a cigarette and a cup of coffee for breakfast. Throughout the day her constant companion during work breaks, bathroom visits and meal time was her cigarettes. They ruled her day. For 50 years she had desperately tried to quit smoking. But no matter how hard she tried she had been unsuccessful. Her addiction to tobacco was just too great.
Then one day she meet Leo Jansen. He was a 79 year old man who caught her eye. The two of them started seeing each other and very quickly fell in love. Leo deeply loved Aleida but he couldn't stand her smoking habit. Her constant chain smoking was more than he could bear. One day, Leo proposed to her but only if she would give up smoking. He loved her but if they were going to be together she would have to put down the cigarettes for good.
For 50 years ( for over 18,000 days) Aleida had never been without her cigarettes. They had been her constant companion. She had tried so hard to quit but she just couldn't put them down. Now, they were going to cause her to miss the love of her life.
So she made a bold decision. Her love for Leo drove her to divorce her cigarettes. Her love for Leo enabled her to do something that she had not be able to do for 50 years. She would rather live without her cigarettes than live without Leo. Her addiction to tobacco was overwhelmed by her love for Leo. Aleida quit smoking, married Leo and had a great life. Aleida testified, "Willpower never was enough to get me off the habit. Love did it." (The Complete 101 Collection: What Every Leader Needs to Know By John C. Maxwell)
The power of love can do amazing things in our world today.
You know why some people never have difficulty coming to church, being faithful in their stewardship, reading their Bibles or fasting and praying? You know some people seem to just love doing everything they can for the LORD. It's not because they love their pastor or the Small Group leader or even their denomination. It's because they have fallen in love with Jesus. When people fall in love with Jesus you never have to worry about them coming to church, spending time in prayer or paying their tithes. You never have to worry about them studying God's Word or seeking new ways to share Jesus. They do it because they love Jesus. The Love of Jesus transforms them, guides them and leads them to a progressive and deeper walk with Him. The Power of Love is amazing.
III. A third LIFE POWER see in this story is the Power of Tears - Verse 13
It doesn't take long for us to understand the Power of Tears. If you have a child and especially if that child is a girl then you know the tremendous power of tears. In our story this morning it was the tears of the crowd and especially the tears of the young man's mother that touched Jesus' heart. Her tears opened up for her to receive the greatest miracle of her life.
These were not "crocodile tears" - you know those tears that some people can shed just for appearance sake. Those tears that are really just a way to manipulate other people into doing something for them. Probably all of us have been fooled at times by "crocodile tears."
But this was not what was happening in our passage. People's hearts were breaking. His death had been a tragedy. Now, there was no one to be with this young widow. Her very future and safety was at stake. Who would take care of her? Where would she live? How would she make it?
John 11:35 is the shortest verse in our Bibles - it's only two words but it those words are two of the most powerful words in all of scripture. John 11:35 simply says - "JESUS WEPT". Jesus wept over the pain and suffering that Mary and Martha were enduring. Jesus wept over the loss of Lazarus, one of his best friends. Jesus' weeping led to the Lazarus being raised from the dead.
Tears can lead to miracles. God gives us our tears as a means of release and healing. We all know this morning that if we do not express our grief our lives will become stilted. We will fall into a life of chronic depression. Tears possess healing power. Tears can do more for us at times than flowers, friends or even words of kindness.
Dr. Judith Orloff, a professor of psychiatry shares some findings from her study about tears. She tells us that "For over twenty years as physician, I’ve witnessed, time and again, the healing power of tears. Tears are your body’s release valve for stress, sadness, grief, anxiety, and frustration. Also, you can have tears of joy, say when a child is born or tears of relief when a difficulty has passed. In my own life, I am grateful when I can cry. It feels cleansing, a way to purge pent up emotions so they don’t lodge in my body as stress symptoms such as fatigue or pain. To stay healthy and release stress, I encourage my patients to cry. For both men and women, tears are a sign of courage, strength, and authenticity."2
Jesus tells us "Blessed are those who morn, for they shall be comforted." A great deal of that comfort comes by way of actually mourning. It comes through the shedding of tears. Tears are not a sign of weakness, they are instead a sign of healing and wholeness. The Holy Spirit uses our tears to bring healing to our wounded hearts and lives and to the lives of others.
IV. Finally, we see the Power of LIFE through CHRIST JESUS - verses 13 -17
Luke shares with us the Universal Power of Death. He shares with us the Power of Love. He shares with us the Power of Tears. In verses 13 - 17, Luke shares with us the Greatest Power of All - The Power of Life in Christ Jesus.
In verse 13 the LORD steps forward and stops the procession. He tells the grieving mother that she doesn't need to cry any more. Her love and tears have touched his heart. Those with her must have thought Jesus was either crazy or being very rude. Who would tell a grieving mother to stop crying?
Jesus then touches3 the burial bier (burial plank) and commands the young man to get up. Do what? Can you imagine what everyone was thinking and feeling at this moment? Here was this visiting rabbi touching this dead man and commanding him to get up. I am sure many of those around Jesus began to think that somehow they had to get Jesus away from here. This was not going to go well. Not since the time of Elisha had someone raised anyone from the dead. But before they could move and to everyone's surprise and amazement the young man did exactly what Jesus commanded. The young man who was dead immediately sat up and began to speak. I wonder what he said?
In just a matter of seconds the touch of Jesus brought LIFE and transformed everything.
Luke this morning paints for us a picture of two great procession that collided into one another :
+One procession was led by a grieving mother and her dead son - A procession dominated by Death, Sorrow and Despair. A procession that shows us the Power of Death, Love and Tears.
+The Second procession was led by Jesus, his disciples and a crowd of followers. For days they had been learning, praying and praising the LORD. It was a procession lead by Life, Joy and Hope. It was a procession led by Jesus - the Power of Life.
It must have taken everyone back for a moment who was a part of each crowd. Here was one group of people full of sorrow and grief feeling like their whole world had come to an end walking out of the city. Here was another one coming into the city filled with joy and laughter.
Which crowd would take center stage? Would Jesus' crowd cease their rejoicing? Would they be silenced and join in the funeral procession? Would the stark reality of death shake their faith? Would they be overwhelmed by all the tears and sorrow they were seeing and hearing?
The Universal Power of Death meets the Power of Life - Jesus Christ on the road. Death is ready to stop the message of Jesus. Death is ready to proclaim Universal Power and Authority. But Luke reminds us that Death was and will never be a match for our LORD JESUS. With only a touch of Jesus' hand and a simple command death is defeated. Grief must make way for rejoicing and celebration. Sorrow must make way for hope and new life.
In John 11:25 26 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
In Revelation 1:18 he also declared, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Luke shares with us the Power of Life that Jesus can bring into our lives. I love what Luke writes in verse 16 - "GOD HAS COME TO HELP HIS PEOPLE."
That sums up our whole story in a nutshell. Luke reveals to us to very important truths that we can hold on to this morning:
+Jesus has the Power of Life in this life and in the life to come. Nothing can stop Jesus
+Jesus came to help all of us. Jesus came to bring us healing and wholeness.
Jesus' touch transformed everything. What was the worst day on earth for this little widow was radically transformed by the touch of Jesus. Jesus' touch turned her worst day into her best day. I have watched the touch of a spouse, a friend or even a doctor bring comfort and peace. But nothing can bring more healing and wholeness than the touch of Jesus. Nothing can transform a life like the touch of Christ Jesus. For Jesus is Life.
Jesus' touch can conquer death. Jesus' touch can take love to a whole new level. Jesus' touch can wipe away our tears and our sorrows. Jesus touch can bring hope, joy and life into impossible situations. The touch of Jesus can change everything!
This morning, as we close I wonder if there is someone that is facing something that appears impossible. You are facing a struggle and a trial that is bigger than you and it is getting your down. You're facing something similar to what this little widow was facing - the death of a dream, the loss of hope and having to face a future that seems like it is full of gloom and doom.
You know, it only takes the touch of Jesus to bring about a miracle in our lives. This morning, the LORD sees our pain, our tears and our sorrows. He understands more than we could ever understand. He is here today for any of us if we would like for Him to touch our bodies, our minds or our souls.
Luke tells us that Jesus has come to help his people. Will you let him help you today?
As we sing our song of invitation, if you need the touch of Jesus this morning our altars are open. Jesus is here to help His people. Come and let Jesus transform your situation.
Hymn - No One Understands Like Jesus
1The young pastor was Dr. Dwight L. Moody
2 Dr. Orloff, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA.
3 Once again we see Jesus breaking all the rules and regulations. When He touches that young man's burial clothes he becomes unclean. It was something no rabbi or Pharisee would do. But Jesus once again shows us that his love for us is greater than any sin, or uncleanness or even death. Jesus reaches out with love and brings healing and wholeness.
