Devotion: the resurrection and the life

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

Setting

After healing the centurion’s servant, Jesus came to the city of Naim and raised a widow’s only son back to life. This miracle is unique to Luke.  In the canonical gospels, Jesus raised three people from the dead, the son of the widow of Naim,  the daughter of Jairus, and Lazarus of Bethany. 

Luke 7:11-17

11 Soon afterward, he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. 12 Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, “Don’t cry.”14 He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” 15 He who was dead sat up and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. 16 Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!” 17 This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.

Luke 7:11-17

Commentary

Ancient Naim is located 2 miles southwest of Mount Tabor in the Galilee region. When Jesus reached the city gate of Naim, He encountered a funeral procession of the only son of a widow. In the patriarchal society of first-century Israel, once a woman was married, she belonged to her husband. A widow could not go back to her father’s house for support. Without a son to support her, this widow would be destitute.

Jesus had compassion for her and comforted her. He touched the coffin and commanded the dead man to rise up. To the amazement of everyone, the dead man stood up and began to talk. Everyone trembled and glorified God, acknowledging that Jesus was a prophet and that God had visited them. Zacharias prophesied this in Luke 1:68. Words spread like wildfire throughout Jordan and all the surrounding region.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.

Luke 1:68

Application

Jesus had compassion for the widow of Naim. Jesus has compassion on you too. He is the God of all comfort, 2 Corinthians 3-4.

Jesus is more than a prophet. He is God’s incarnate who came to earth in the form of a man. He is fully God and yet fully man. He is the second Person of the Trinity.

Jesus raised the dead man to life by speaking the words. He had authority over death and have the keys to death and hades, Revelation 1:18 

Jesus has the words of eternal life. He is the resurrection and the life, John 11:25. God’s word has the power to give life. Today, you can speak the word of God to other people to bless them.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 3:4

and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

Revelation 1:18

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.

John 11:25

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to us, who is the resurrection and the life. Thank You that whoever believes in Jesus will never die. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross to wash away our sins and give us eternal life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.