Tom Hayes

JESUS AND A HURTING MOTHER

Luke 7:11-17

"And it came to pass the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and much people. Now when He came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And He said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited His people. And this rumour of Him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about" (Luke 7:11-17).

Pearls are formed when a foreign substance, like a grain of sand, enters into the body of an oyster. Due to the intrusion and the irritation experienced between the shell and the mantle of the oyster,activated cells produce a secretion which begins to form around the foreign substance. Eventually, abeautiful work of art, the mother of pearl is produced.

The mother of pearl is associated with suffering. No pearl can be produced apart from pain, hurt, andsuffering. Similarly, from the beginning, human mothers are associated with suffering and sorrow. In fact, in the text related to the first mother in the Bible, Eve, the Lord said, "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee" (Gen. 3:16).

Because of original sin, mothers greatly suffer in giving birth to children. And, as any woman will testify, the pain of travail is like no other pain. In several Bible scenes, great conflicts in life are likened unto a mother's pain in childbirth. The Prophet Jeremiah wrote, "Anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail" (Jer. 6:24).

Mothers not only suffer, however, under this universal law of sorrow. They suffer through life in general.Often, they experience pain and hurt through happenings and experiences that do not affect some of us husbands. Mothers have feelings and responses that others never know. It has been rightly said, "Thedeath of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her."

A sensitive mother loves everyone and hurts for everyone in the family. A mother of a large family was once asked, "Which one of your children do you think you love the most?" After a moment of thought, she answered beautifully, "The one who is sick until he gets well, and the one who is away until he gets home." And, that's the way it is, isn't it?

In the text before us, we meet a hurting mother. Dr. Luke records some events that are not found in the other Gospel accounts. For instance, The Parable Of The Prodigal Son is peculiar to his narrative. Also, The Conversion Of Zacchaeus is only set forth in Luke. And, here is another story, the death and resurrection of the Widow of Nain's son, that is not mentioned elsewhere.

It is also interesting that Luke says more about women than the other Gospel writers. In one form or another, August Van Ryn tells us, "We read 24 times of woman." He also adds, "Womanhood is given a large place here." And, as we read this Gospel, it is clear that Jesus healed and ministered to many of them.

While it is true that the miracle in these verses before us involved the widow's son, it is apparent that He Who was "made of a woman" (Gal. 4:4), had a heart for this hurting mother. We read that "when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her" (7:13). And, when He raised her son, Jesus "delivered him to his mother" (7:15). Magnifying Christ's concern for hurting hearts, I am preaching on the subject: "Jesus, And A Hurting Mother."

Now, as we approach the text, we are made aware, first of all, of:

1. CHRIST'S IDENTITY WITH A HURTING MOTHER

We see this truth in the first two verses of this division. "And it came to pass the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and much people. Now when He came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her" (7:11, 12).

According to earlier verses, Jesus had been in Capernaum (see 7:1-10). So, to meet this funeral process in Nain, He had to travel approximately eighteen miles. But, as is always the case, He came to the scene in the hour of this mother's crisis, in the hour of her need, right on time. As she was going out of town to bury her son, Jesus was coming in to town! He had come to identify with her broken heart, and to reveal His mighty power.

Christ's identity with this mother reminds us that:

A. Jesus Identifies With Our Situations

It is most interesting that Jesus could have gone to a hundred other villages. And, there would have been needs wherever He journeyed. But, it was in His heart to go to Nain. This is the only time this little town is mentioned in the Scriptures. But, there was a need there that demanded His attention. Thus, He traveled to Nain to identify with this hurting mother and her situation.

Dr. Ivor Powell, who greatly encouraged me in the later years of his ministry, was convinced that Jesus started His journey to Nain even before the boy died. He wrote, "Climatic conditions in Palestine made it imperative that bodies be interred soon after death took place. Therefore there would not have been time for any message to summon Christ from Capernaum." Before the hour of her crisis, then, Jesus identified with her situation in Nain.

Whatever your circumstances may be, dear friend, long before you ever came down this rough road, before this heaviness came over your heart, the Lord Jesus had you on His heart. Before you knew anything about this situation, in His omniscience, He knew all about it. And, now, He comes to your Nain to prove His love in the hour of grief and pain.

This account also teaches us that:

B. Jesus Identifies With Our Sorrows

This dear woman had already made one visit out to the place of burial for we are told that she was a "widow" (7:12). But, now, her heart experiences double grief and sorrow. And, she was not just going to bury her son, but to make the burden heavier, he was her "only son" (7:12). Yet, in this dark time, the Lord Jesus identified with her sorrow, and came where she was.

While others probably stood over to the side until all the grieving ones passed by, we're told that the Lord Jesus came right to the "bier" (7:14). The bier, "the funeral couch," was usually a homemade wicker bed, on which the body was carried. This touching scene reminds us that in sorrow, not just in our times of joy and gladness, the Lord Jesus comes near and identifies with us.

It is clear, also, that Christ does what He does in mercy and grace. As in several other New Testament scenes, Christ was not summoned to come to Nain. And, this mother did not plead with Him to come to her aid. But, often, as it is written, He is found of those who do not seek Him, and He manifests Himself to those who never ask for His help (see Rom. 10:20). As the "Man of sorrows" (Isa. 53:3), He is especially drawn to sorrowful hearts.

Secondly, we notice:

2. CHRIST'S INTEREST IN A HURTING MOTHER

The interest of the Lord Jesus is accentuated three times in verse 13. "And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not." Notice the words are not, "When the Lord saw the boy's body," but "when the Lord saw her." The second phrase reads, "He had compassion on her." And, again, we read, "He . . . said unto her, Weep not."

Christ's interest was genuine and real. He did not look in her direction merely as an act of charity. His words were not the words of empty humanitarianism, or altruism. He had no desire to be known for vain philanthropic deeds. He was not interested in the accolades of men. He was interested in this mother's broken heart!

Two aspects of genuine interest are set forth, the first being that:

A. His Interest Is Evidenced In His Consideration

The words "the Lord saw her" indicate that Jesus focused upon this dear woman. No doubt, in a general sense, His heart went out to the whole group of mourners. But, in a specific way, He had a heart for this hurting mother. Consequently, He had eyes for her! In His purposes, He singled her out and considered her need. In our age, if there is a cause, it seems that the only way to get the attention of the media is to assemble masses of people. It is unfortunate that a large group seems to be heard more easily than individuals. However, this was never the case, and is not the case, with the Lord Jesus. He has a heart for individuals. "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry" (Ps. 34:15). Oh, may hurting hearts be comforted with this truth!

This account also teaches us that:

B. His Interest Is Evidenced In His Compassion

It is impossible to preach the New Testament and not be confronted with the subject of compassion. In some cases, the term "compassion" is the same word for "mercy" (see Matt. 18:33; Mark 5:19; Jude 22). But, even in these settings, the term suggests more than feelings of sympathy. It usually refers to acts of sympathy resulting from the feelings of sympathy.

The word "compassion," as it is used in this text, actually comes from two Greek words which suggest "to suffer with." It carries with it the idea of entering into one's sufferings, and giving assistance. W. H. Griffith Thomas commented, "It indicates then that Jesus not only has a feeling with this woman's burden, but He has a feeling for this woman's burden." Thank God! We are not left to ourselves! There is One Who has compassion upon us!

Having examined these two spheres of thought, let's move on to another emphasis, that of:

3. CHRIST'S INSTRUCTION TO A HURTING MOTHER

Jesus not only "saw" this sorrowing mother, and "had compassion on her," but He had a word for her. The Bible says that "He said unto her, Weep not" (7:13). Before He did anything, He spoke to her heart. Before He performed a miracle for her, He performed a miracle in her with His word.

Earlier, we observed that Jesus came to Nain without an invitation. Now, we see that He also spoke to the widow's heart without being asked to speak. His heart was so touched by her pain, He could not be silent. When she was overwhelmed, He undergirded her with His word. When she was blinded by grief, He gave a word of illumination and instruction.

In Christ's words to the widow, we see that:

A. His Instruction Is Personal

The Lord Jesus did not speak to everyone in the crowd. He didn't even speak to two or three of the people. His word was what Solomon called "a word fitly spoken" (Prov. 25:11). It was a special word, spoken to a special person, in a special way, at a special time. It was a "He" and "her" experience! It was a personal moment!

Sometimes Jesus speaks to us in the time of worship. Sometimes He speaks to us in the course of our daily involvements. Sometimes Jesus speaks to us in the sunshine of life's blessings. Sometimes He speaks to us in the darkness of life's trials. But, hallelujah, He does speak to us! As the songwriter said,

"He walks with me, and He talks with me;And He tells me I am His Own.And the joy we share as we tarry there;None other has ever known." This word also shows us that:

B. His Instruction Is Purposeful

Concerning Christ's word to this broken heart, Alexander Maclaren said, "It's a kind of prophecy that indicates that Jesus is going to take away the occasion for her weeping." The Savior was not just telling her to stop crying, but He was assuring her that He was going to take care of the dilemma. His word was Heaven's cure for a hurting heart.

From the beginning, the word of God has prepared the way for His work. First, the Lord said, "Let there be light." Then, we are told, "And there was light" (Gen. 1:3). And, here, Jesus spoke before He did anything! He gave the instruction. Then, He performed the miracle. But, what He spoke was the promise and the proof that He would do something!

This brings us to a fourth lesson, a lesson regarding:

4. CHRIST'S INTERVENTION FOR A HURTING MOTHER

In the next two verses, we come to the miracle itself. The text reads, "And He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And He said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother" (7:14, 15).

The Lord Jesus, having given a word of comfort, now gives a word of conquest. In his sermon to young men from this text, Charles H. Spurgeon pointed out, "The Savior spoke with His Own authority. Neither Elijah nor Elisha could thus have spoken. But He Who spoke was very God of very God." As Lord of life and death, Christ intervened saying, "I say unto thee, Arise."

In this miracle, we witness:

A. Intervention In The Form Of Resurrection

The resurrection of this mother's son was one of three resurrections in the ministry of Christ. He raised Jairus' daughter from the dead (see Mark 5:41, 42). He raised Lazarus from the dead (see John 11:43, 44). And, now He raised the widow of Nain's son from the dead. Enroute to His Own resurrection, He evidenced His inherent power in the resurrection of others.

As we contemplate this scene, we see the young man's resurrection as a miracle. But, it was just another ordinary event in the life of Christ. Dear friends, our circumstances cannot and do not present any obstacles too difficult for the Lord Jesus. As He raised the cold, lifeless body of this boy, He can bring our cold, lifeless hopes to life again. Hear Him say, "I say unto thee, Arise."

In this supernatural happening, we also witness:

B. Intervention In The Form Of Restoration

The funeral was called off! The pallbearers were sent home! Mourning was turned into joy! We read, "And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother" (7:15). First, the young man's faculties were restored to him. He even began to talk. And, then his family-life was restored to him. Jesus "delivered him to his mother."

I can't predict what this intervening Lord will do in your life. The great Sovereign comes to Nain as He pleases. He meets those He pleases to meet. He resurrects as He is pleased to resurrect. But, it could be that He will bring your hopes back to life and restore them to you again. It could be that the One Who came to Nain will come where you are and intervene in restoring grace.

In the concluding statements in verses 16 and 17, we observe:

5. CHRIST'S INFLUENCE THROUGH A HURTING MOTHER

When Jesus raised this boy from the dead, "There came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited His people. And this rumour of Him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about" (7:16, 17).

When Paul spoke to King Festus of the Person and work of Christ, he reminded him, "This thing was not done in a corner" (Acts 26:26). And, this miracle in Nain was not performed in obscurity. It was a public manifestation of divine power, and the influence of this intervention was known and felt in many lives.

In the people's response to this miracle, we are made aware of:

A. The Consciousness Of Divine Influence

The phrase, "And there came a fear on all," indicates that the fear of God overwhelmed the population. There was not only a general impression of Christ's supernatural gifts, as He was called "a great prophet," but there was a specific consciousness of a divine visitation. They "glorified God," for, they believed that "God had visited His people" (7:16).

And, what was it that brought this sense of God-consciousness to their hearts? The King of the ages chose to use a mother's desperation, hurt and pain, as a channel of His mighty power. In her weakness, His strength was made perfect. In her brokenness, His glory was revealed. Oh, in our own burdens, may our hearts embrace this principle.

The concluding words of the text also remind us of:

B. The Circle Of Divine Influence

The whole area was affected by this supernatural intervention. The text reads, "And this rumour of Him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about" (7:17). The news was not limited to Nain. But, the report traveled over the Judaean hills and the valleys. And, a rippling effect brought the good tidings to the entire area.

Through this hurting mother's sorrows, the influence of the Lord Jesus was more widespread. And, through our heartaches, dear friends, as the God of all grace ministers to us, He makes that same grace to abound in and through us, and uses us in the lives of others (see 2 Cor. 9:8). Oh, may each hurting heart experience this abundant grace!

Teaching her students about magnetism, a school teacher brought a few magnets to class, placed them on the table, and illustrated how they worked. She promised them a quiz on the subject the next week. When she gave the quiz, one of the questions read, "My name starts with the letter 'M.' I have six letters and I pick up things. What am I?" Of course, she wanted the word "Magnet." But, all the children wrote down the word, "Mother."

In one sense, through her suffering and pain, this little mother in Nain became a magnet. The Lord used her desperation to attract others to Himself. He will do the same for hurting mothers in our day. And, bless His name, He will do the same in any broken heart. May the Spirit of truth take the Word of truth and apply this truth in our lives! Amen.