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Luke 7:11-17
In this passage there are several very important factors that we need to take notice. This man who had died was the only son of his mother and we are told that she is a widow. In this culture, the women relied on the men to provide for the family needs. Being a widow and without any male children, this woman’s way of survival would now have ended – there would be no means of income or person to work and provide for this woman. Her life would end by dwindling into poverty and her husband’s family name would end. There was a large crowd with this woman in the funeral procession, showing that her family would have had some sort of prominence in the community, but that would all now be lost.
Jesus had compassion on this woman and “touched” the coffin (Luke 7:14). Touching the coffin would have, by the Law, made Jesus unclean (Numbers 19:11), however, the power of Jesus overcame death and instead of being defiled, He gave life to the man. By restoring this man’s life, Jesus also restored this woman’s life. This is a story of a woman in need, and Jesus was able to provide for her needs and give her a new life – through Him.
There was a “large crowd” (Luke 7:11b) that was traveling with Jesus, and a “large crowd from the city” that was the funeral procession (Luke 7:12e). This provided a large audience for Jesus to show His healing power, and in spreading the Gospel, Luke 7:17 states, “17And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.”
This is an example of the compassion of Jesus for those in need.
This is an example that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. (What the Law made defiled, Jesus gave new life).
This is an example that Jesus fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17).
This is an example that Jesus will provide for our needs and give us a new life – through Him.
Jesus shows His power over death in this passage, and in so doing, shows His power to give life. The significance that the woman/widow plays in this passage (Luke 7:11-17) is that this woman would not have been helped by anyone. She would have been left to dwindle away into poverty. Jesus shows His compassion on this woman/widow in that he came to save everyone from the treacheries of this world…even this woman who would have been forgotten by the rules of society. Jesus is showing that He cares for us all…even you, regardless of the stereotypical rules of society.
Jesus came to give life to all of humanity through His death on the cross in paying our debt to sin, and then overcoming death in His resurrection proving His power over death. He longs to give us all spiritual life by forgiving our sins, that in so doing, we will gain everlasting life – through Him.
Dear Lord,
Please help us to see the importance of life through Jesus and that we would put our faith in Him and ask His forgiveness of our sins. Jesus is the only way to everlasting life in heaven with You Lord. Please help us to share the Gospel with those around us so that everyone may learn of Your saving power to life through Your Son Jesus, and begin living a new life as a child of God (John 1:12-13). In Jesus name I pray, amen.