Luke 7:11-17
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
In today’s passage, Jesus continues to demonstrate the presence and power of the Kingdom of God. Read Luke 7:11-17 taking note of anything that stands out to you in the story.
Jesus’ miracle is so amazing in this story that you might miss some of the other elements that show the Kingdom of God in action.
For the woman, described only as a “widow,” the loss of her only son means that she is now alone in the world of first century Israel and holds little value to the rest of society. As a woman without husband or son her future is bleak.
But just as Jesus saw the Roman officer whom he never laid eyes on, he now sees this woman and recognizes her utter helplessness. Luke doesn’t tell us, but it appears this woman has never encountered Jesus before, so she doesn’t even know to turn to him. This time it is Jesus who, out of deep compassion, reaches out without being pursued or asked.
Stop to consider whether you’ve ever been in a situation where you felt completely alone and utterly helpless. Imagine Jesus seeing you and reaching out in deep compassion before you ever turn to him. Stay with this image for a while and talk to Jesus about it.
Read Luke 7:11-17 again.
The “fear” of the crowd is completely understandable – a dead man just climbed out of his coffin mid funeral procession. But this fear is not the kind that sends people into a state of panic. These people have just experienced the very presence and power of God, and they have discovered in Jesus an Almighty God who has compassion on people. The only response they have is worship.
Throughout the biblical narrative we see God’s eternal, faithful love for faulty people. Jesus is the manifestation of all that God is. Jesus sees you. And when Jesus sees you in your helplessness, he overflows with compassion.
Once again, return to Jesus’ first three “blessed are you…” statements from Luke chapter six. Talk to Jesus as you meditate on these and be sure to listen well:
“God blesses you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
God blesses you who are hungry now,
for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now,
for in due time you will laugh.”
What is Jesus saying to you today?
What will you do about that?
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