Luke 7: 11 – 28 The Widow of Nain

Luke 7: 11 – 28 The Widow of Nain

Soon afterward he journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man I tell you, arise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his people."

This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region. The disciples of John told him about all these things. John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" When the men came to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?'" At that time he cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. And he said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." When the messengers of John had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out to the desert to see--a reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom scripture says: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.' I tell you among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

The buzz about Jesus is growing. Everywhere he goes now he has a large following. Every miracle cure causes awe and amazement and is spoken about throughout the land. Then John the Baptist comes back into the story. He hears of Jesus and sends two of his followers to inquire, “Are you He who is to come?” Jesus answers by quoting that famous passage from Isaiah about the blind recovering sight, the lame walking, the dead being raised, the poor being preached the good news. He finishes by saying “Blest is the man who finds no stumbling block in me.” What does he mean by this statement? I think it is an exhortation to have faith in him, to believe in his words and actions even though some might find them unbelievable. Jesus after sending the two messengers back to John turns to the crowd and asks them, “What did you expect to see when you went out into the desert? To see a mystic? An influential man? A prophet? Jesus then pays John the highest of compliments – he calls him - a simple man who acts on God’s promises without fanfare,"great" in God’s eyes. But the least of those who come to and through Jesus, who follow him and believe in the coming of the kingdom and act upon that belief will have an even greater future in store for them.