THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:11-17
“God has come to help his people.” (Luke 7:16)
We’re all in different stages of a funeral procession, step by step closer to the grave.
Some people believe that this life is all there is; death is final.
I happen to believe that we were made by God to live, not die.
His heart goes out to us too (v.14), as He sees us in our death march.
Death was not His plan; His plan was to give us “life to the full” (John 10:10)
God IS concerned for the misery in the world – caused by our sin.
Through Jesus He has stepped into our world to help His people.
Jesus has beaten sin, Satan, death and hell; He is leading God’s rescue mission.
He is raising up agents of love, joy and peace in the world, to help those in need.
Jesus-follower, why else do you think you were restored?
We are called to join Jesus in bringing help and hope to those in need…
*** Praying with our words and actions, encouraging the discouraged, tending the sick, visiting the lonely, feeding the hungry, defending the innocent, supporting the refugee, providing healthcare, education, a place to live, clean drinking water, and other essential human needs, and the list goes on ***
… to show the world that God has come to help His people!
God may or may not raise the dead through you and me… that is up to Him.
But through us, He gives living hope to dying hearts, so they too can praise God (v.16).
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, today I will meet people in grief or crisis, like this widow. Help me to open my heart to them, like You did, and somehow bring them help and hope. Perform a miracle of life through me too!
Observation/Application
Jesus was moved to His very core – His heart when He saw this widow going to bury her only son. She would have to fend for herself having no husband and no other children. She lost her security and livelihood.
The Jesus did a miracle. He raised her son giving Him life. Not only would that shock the people but also that He touched a dead body which according to the Jewish laws would make Him unclean. Jesus restored the young man from death to life.
Jesus does the same for you and me. Because He died I can live and live forevermore. All who believe that He is Lord shall have abundant life.
A non believer thinks he lives today and dies to an eternal death.
A christian lives today and dies to an eternal life with Him.
Lord, help me daily to walk with You on my pilgrim’s progress.
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.