What Jesus says to Weeping Ones

I have been reading through the gospel of Luke. This morning I read this passage:

"Soon afterward Jesus went to a city called Nain [near Nazareth], and His disciples and a large crowd accompanied Him. Now as He approached the city gate, a dead man was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her [in the funeral procession]. When the Lord saw her, He felt [great] compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep." And He came up and touched the bier [on which the body rested], and the pallbearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise [from death]!” The man who was dead sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother. Fear and profound awe gripped them all, and they began glorifying and honoring and praising God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people [to help and care for and provide for them]!” This news about Him spread through all of Judea and in all the surrounding countryside."

Luke 7:11-17 AMP

"Do not weep." Oh, the great compassion of Jesus! This poor woman- can you even imagine her pain and grief? She is a widow and then her only son dies. They are carrying him away on this platform, bound for the grave. This is the last time she will see her son. I can see her in my mind, lost and stumbling in the crowd of people, blinded by her tears and wailing in disbelief and reaching out her hand to touch him one last time before these men carry him away.

As the funeral procession continues and they approach the threshold of the city gate, another crowd is walking into the city. This crowd led by Jesus is in a much different state. They are bustling with intrigue at events that had just taken place in the nearby city of Capernaum. Through the activity, Jesus sees the corpse carriers and the grieving mother. The text says that he [felt] great compassion. His heart went out to her; He was moved with love and pity. This phrase is the same one used in the parable of The Good Samaritan who helped the traveler who had been robbed and left for dead and also the Father in the story of The Prodigal Son when he sees that his son has returned.

Jesus doesn't look away from the woman in distress. He cares about her broken heart and He acts. Her emotion doesn't put Him off, rather it draws Him in. "Do not weep." I know your whole world seems like it is falling apart. I know that hope seems lost. I know the pain is crippling and you feel like you can't take one more step. But, "Do not weep." I am here now.

He touches the wooden frame where the dead man lies and not only that but he does it risking ceremonial uncleanness under the Mosaic Law (Numbers 19:11). Obviously, he is less than concerned with these large crowds thinking he is repulsive because he touches a human corpse. He speaks, “Young man, I say to you, arise [from death]!” and it happens... just like that, Jesus gives the son back to his mother.

The crowds were awed and gripped with fear and couldn't help but praise God for caring for and providing for His people.

I don't know about you, but I've had seasons in life when the tears won't stop. In this chaotic and corrupt world, it's easy to give in to despair over circumstances. I believe Jesus has the same message for us when we are suffering as He had for this widow in distress: "Do not weep." Though the miracle may go unseen, He lays His hand on us in our sorrow and He acts on our behalf every single time. Our part is to look up in the midst of our heartache and keep believing. Tears will be turned to joy. There will be rejoicing again.