Mary’s Lent Diary (Day 25)

I can relate to the lady Jesus helped today – she is a widow and has a son, just like me…

Jesus decided to leave Capernaum and go to Nain, about 30 miles away.  As he was approaching the gate to the town, he saw a funeral procession.  When he got closer, he saw that the chief mourner was a widow, and that she was burying her only son.  How awful.  She had lost her husband and now her son was dead, too.  Maybe I can’t relate to her as much as I thought – my son is alive and well though, for some reason, Simeon’s words about a sword piercing my heart have just come to mind…

Jesus saw the woman and his heart went out to her – he is so compassionate!  And he told her not to cry.  That seems a bit strange to me, of course the poor woman was crying – she had lost everything.  She had no way of supporting herself.  She would probably end up begging for food in order to survive.  Her son was dead…of course she was crying.  But, of course, when Jesus says something, it is best to take notice – and that was true this time.  I hope the woman managed to dry her tears because there is no way she would want to miss what happened next!

Jesus went up and touched the coffin.  The people carrying it stood still.  Jesus told the dead boy to get up.  And the boy did!  He began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

All the people in the funeral procession were amazed. Someone had actually been raised from the dead – how is that possible? They praised God that Jesus had come among them, saying that Jesus is a great prophet and that God had come to help his people.  The story of what had happened spread around again – Jesus is the top topic right now!

In Jewish tradition, it was very important to honour the dead.

The mourning period lasted 30 days.

When the funeral itself took place, the body would be carried through the town, more and more people joining the procession that followed it.

Mourning was a community event.

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15 NLT

The people in the funeral procession were happy when the boy was raised to life.

And they’d also mourned when the boy was dead.

Maybe it is easier to be happy with people, to rejoice with them, to share the good times.

What about the hard times?

Are we there with people in those times, too?

Weeping with them?

Acknowledging that it’s hard?

Is God asking you to weep with someone at the moment?

Jesus saw someone having a tough time, and he cared.

His heart went out to her.

When you have hard times, however long or short they may be, Jesus sees.

And He cares.

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.

Isaiah 66:13

What about us? When people are having difficult times, do we care?

How could you show Jesus’ compassion to someone today?

The widow, and the people were comforted.

There was no longer any need to mourn.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Revelation 21:4

Easter brings Hope.

One day, there will be no mourning.

And, until that day, as we ‘live in Lent’, we have Jesus.

Seeing.

Caring.

Comforting.

Once more, the people were amazed by Jesus.

Are you?

And they praised God that Jesus was there.

Do you?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Lord Jesus,

Please show me if there is anyone You are asking me to weep with.

As I live in Lent,

thank You for seeing me,

and for giving me Hope.

Amen

Mary’s Memo Jesus Comforts Me