Tuesday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 7:11-17
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. 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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
7:11–17 Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son. Jesus’ power to heal is now demonstrated by a greater miracle: raising the dead (cf. 8:40–56; John 11:1–44; Acts 9:36–43). This miracle, involving a widow’s son, recalls a similar miracle by Elijah (1 Kings 17:17–24).
7:11 Nain is commonly identified with a modern village (Nein) southeast of Nazareth, though other locations have also been suggested.
7:12 The only son of his mother … a widow reveals the desperate economic situation of the woman.
7:13 Do not weep indicates that Jesus will do something. Although not intended as a sign but as an act of compassion, this miracle will nevertheless provide evidence for answering the question “Who is this …?” (v. 49).
7:14 Jesus touched the bier (a plank that served as an open coffin, used to carry the dead body outside the city to its burial place). Jesus is unconcerned about ceremonial uncleanness (cf. Num. 19:11, 16), for he is not made unclean when he touches the dead. Instead, the dead man comes to life.
7:15 sat up and began to speak. Proof of the miracle. gave him to his mother. These are the exact words found in the Septuagint of 1 Kings 17:23, describing the raising of a widow’s son by Elijah.
7:16 In recognition of God’s powerful presence, the people’s fear immediately leads to worship: they glorified God (cf. 2:20). A great prophet is a correct description of Jesus (4:23–24; 7:39; 9:8, 19; 13:33; 24:19) but an inadequate one unless one adds: Christ; Son of God; Son of Man; Lord; etc. God has visited his people. God is making known his presence in Jesus, bringing salvation to the Jewish people who had waited so long for him (cf. 1:68; 19:44; Acts 15:14).
7:11 Nain is commonly identified with a modern village (Nein) southeast of Nazareth, though other locations have also been suggested.
7:12 The only son of his mother … a widow reveals the desperate economic situation of the woman.
7:13 Do not weep indicates that Jesus will do something. Although not intended as a sign but as an act of compassion, this miracle will nevertheless provide evidence for answering the question “Who is this …?” (v. 49).
7:14 Jesus touched the bier (a plank that served as an open coffin, used to carry the dead body outside the city to its burial place). Jesus is unconcerned about ceremonial uncleanness (cf. Num. 19:11, 16), for he is not made unclean when he touches the dead. Instead, the dead man comes to life.
7:15 sat up and began to speak. Proof of the miracle. gave him to his mother. These are the exact words found in the Septuagint of 1 Kings 17:23, describing the raising of a widow’s son by Elijah.
7:16 In recognition of God’s powerful presence, the people’s fear immediately leads to worship: they glorified God (cf. 2:20). A great prophet is a correct description of Jesus (4:23–24; 7:39; 9:8, 19; 13:33; 24:19) but an inadequate one unless one adds: Christ; Son of God; Son of Man; Lord; etc. God has visited his people. God is making known his presence in Jesus, bringing salvation to the Jewish people who had waited so long for him (cf. 1:68; 19:44; Acts 15:14).
Study Questions:
- Many Christians stop right here... If you have enough faith, God will heal you. But if we are going to know the FULL counsel of God's Word, we have to keep reading! Clayton's second point was, "Jesus moves in response to his COMPASSION." When Jesus sees that a widow had lost her only son, his heart "overflowed with compassion." How amazing is it that a God that is big enough to create the universe and speak things into existence still cares about a widow in an obscure village. He answered her heart's brokenness without her even having to ask! The God who makes galaxies is the same god that cares for the sparrow. Have you ever thought about God's heart being moved with compassion when you struggle or are in pain? How does this change your view of God?
- If you have kids, you know the pain of a parent having to watch their child in pain. It's a difficult thing to deal with, especially when there's nothing at all you can do about it. Now think about Jesus in the Garden, crying out to his Heavenly Father, to take away his cup of suffering. Jesus didn't want to go through the torture that was headed his way. And even though it broke God's heart, Scripture says it was his good will to crush Jesus. But why?? Because he loved us that much. Jesus had to suffer and die in order for us to have a relationship with him. And yes, when WE suffer, it breaks his heart as well. Have you ever considered that his heart breaks for you when you suffer, just as any good father's would? How does it change your view of your suffering?
Pray:
- That you would remember that we serve a compassionate God
- That you would remember today how much God loved you, and what it cost him to love you.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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