Zebina sat in the wheat, holding her son’s hand as she swayed back and forth, tears streaming down her face. “My son, my son,” she sobbed. How could she go on? No husband and now, no son.

Hannah came to support her, but her mind remained in a fog. By noon the next day, John had raced to Nazareth to tell Mary the sad news and bring her back to Nain for the burial. As before, John’s father had arranged for the spices and anointing of Joash’s body, as well as preparing the open coffin and the wagon to carry it.

By mid-afternoon, Mary joined Zebina, along with many friends gathered behind the the wagon to make their way out of town to where Seth had been buried.

As they approached the city gate, a large crowd of people were walking toward town.  “Who are these people?” everyone wondered. Mary clasped Zebina’s arm and whispered, “Zebina, it’s Jesus.”

The mourners slowed as they watched the group approaching. Jesus walked directly toward the coffin and the men stopped the wagon. Jesus nodded to Mary as he walked over to Zebina and touched her arm. “Don’t cry,” he said.

Then he went back to the coffin and touched it. He called out, “Young man, Joash, I say to you, get up!” Everyone stood frozen, hardly breathing.

Joash sat up! He saw Jesus. The people gasped with one unified breath.

“You’ve come at last,” Joash said. Jesus smiled. But in that moment, Joash glanced down and realized he was in an open coffin. He noticed the white gown he wore and the spices.  Jesus offered his hand, so Joash pushed aside the spices while Jesus helped him out. Joash gazed around at all the people. Their startled expressions melted into joyous praises.

Joash turned again to Jesus. Jesus said, “You are alive again, my friend!” Jesus led him over to his mother and she hugged him. “Oh my son, my wonderful son,” she cried. She turned toward Jesus and grasped his arm. “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you.”

Soon, Jesus turned to the people of Nain and began preaching to them. His followers all sat on the ground, so the local people sat as well, their faces attentive. Their spirits were filled with awe as they praised God for the miracle of healing they had witnessed that day and his words that warmed their hearts.

When Jesus and his followers left, the people said, “A great prophet has appeared among us. God has come to save his people.” Soon the news spread far and wide.

Amen.

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 Luke 7:11-17—Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son – 

Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his      mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her, and he said, “Don’t cry.” Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, “Get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”

This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the remaining company.

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Friends, I have found that many well-read believers are not familiar with this passage. It is the first of three times (that are recorded) when Jesus raised someone from the dead. This is the first one, then the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:41-56), and finally Lazarus (John 11:1-44).

I’m banking on the idea that you will never read this passage again without feeling like you know this unnamed mother and son!

~ Joyce ~

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