Luke 7: 1-17 Approaching the Gate of the Town

Luke 7: 1-17 - Approaching the Gate of the Town

[11] Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. [12] As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. [13] When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." [14] Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, rise!" [15] The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. [16] Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!" [17] This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

What is happening in this scripture? – When you read this story, and imagine, from a first century perspective, what the author of Luke is telling us here, consider these things:
(a) other gods and goddesses of the day were believed to have resuscitated the dead. Some were worshipped as a great healers. Most Jews believed in the fleshly (as opposed to spiritually) process of the resurrection of the martyrs and just (faithful to the faith) ones in Sheol, not just in an exclusive resurrection of Jesus. (b) No right-thinking Jew of the time would have touched a dead person’s bier, except the carriers, who would later have to go through purification rituals.
Some would say that this story, then, is about Jesus approaching a widow and her dead only son, and a large crowd. If you were a widow in those days, and your only son died, you were in big trouble. Who would support you. Who would look after you? Jesus communities beginning to spring up when Luke was probably written were saying to others, “The resurrection has begun. The kingdom of God has come. Come see how we live!" They were gathering in shops and villas, telling the story of the Christ and singing hymns. But most of all they were collecting a tithe from everyone, and they used this money to support those in the community who had no one to support them. They were resisting the tyranny of civilization in those days, by loving and helping each other; by living out the commandments of their faith, Love God with all your heart, soul and might, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Perhaps Jesus really brought this young man back to life. Perhaps this is a story about bringing a community, a large crowd, who knew about dead sons and widows, back to life. Whatever, you think, the message is clear: A great prophet had risen among them!, and God has looked favorably on his people! According to the scripture, that word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country, like a million mustard seeds that started to sprout up everywhere.

Questions to Ponder:

What does this scripture tell you about the nature of God? The style, or Way, of Jesus?
What does this scripture tell you about our responsibility to those who have nothing and no one?
What does this scripture tell you about the Kingdom of God, here and now, and your role in that?