Luke chapter 7

vs 11

You know, that place called Nain?

vs 12

That is about the saddest thing that can happen in this culture. You're already a widow, so you've got no husband to support you. Now your son is dead, and he was the heir to that family. So not only has her pride and joy died, but with it any hope of her living a normal life.

vs 13

If you read this completely dispassionately, then it sounds almost lame. But Luke doesn't write it that way. Jesus sees the scene, knows the situation, and his heart is really affected. He says the words not of a messiah to his disciple - these are the words a child says to his mum. Or that a parent says to their child. Simple comfort.

vs 14

He calls him a young man, so we could assume he was of age. Not sure. Of age is still only 13 or so, so it's not like he'd lived a full life if he was that young. Anyway, the important thing is not the age, but the fact that Jesus, in his loving kindness, seeks to give the widow a second chance at life by bringing her boy back from the dead. I might also point out that, as far as I know, their coffins weren't made of wood - either these guys were carrying a matt of beir of some sort, or they were carrying a stone ossuary, in which case good on them for standing still while Jesus does his thing!

vs 15

The story ends with an unexpected result. Let me say that yes, we aren't told exactly what the child died of, and so he could have swooned. But people back then weren't stupid. You didn't bury someone who was still breathing. Regardless, it's still a miracle for the widow, because she now does not have to go through life poor and alone.

vs 16

Obviously the people around thought it was pretty cool too.

vs 17

And things like this wouldn't stay home for long. It makes you wonder, actually - how many people brought their dead to Jesus hoping he could bring them back? I don't think anywhere it is recorded that anyone ever brought a dead person to Jesus. Usually they're sick, and die before he gets there. But it would be interesting if people did, because someone coming back to life is fairly unbelievable.

vs 18-19

When it says John's disciples told him, were they following Jesus? Or did they just hear the stories and tell John? Anyway, John isn't sure that this guy Jesus is the Messiah! Remember, he baptised him, heard the voice of God, saw the spirit descend on him, and yet he still isn't sure. Could it be that Jesus isn't turning out to be the messiah John the baptist had hoped for? A military leader, perhaps?

vs 20

And so, as you would expect, his disciples do go and ask Jesus. Good for them, they did what they were told.