Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional, where, after a short break, we now continue in the gospel of Luke. This week, we will be using Jesus’ account of the raising of the widow’s son as inspiration for our reflections.
‘Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.’ (Luke 7:11-17)
Today, in this account of the raising of the widow’s son, Jesus wants us to see and experience His power and compassion and then go on to minister His power and compassion to others.
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This event of the healing of the widow’s son is twinned with the previous miracle of Jesus’ healing of the centurion’ servant (Luke 7:1-10). This miracle, set against the previous, is an escalation in the revelation of the power and compassion of Christ; it is designed to challenge and increase our faith in Christ’s compassion and power.
Through these two accounts, Luke reveals that Jesus is willing to help the rich and poor and both men and women; the wealthy and influential centurion man is set in contrast with this destitute widow; God wants us to see that all need Jesus’ power and compassion and He is willing to help all.
Today, may we see that Jesus’ heart goes out to us and those who are suffering. If we have lost, Jesus cares and sees us. This woman was surrounded by ‘a large crowd from the town’ but the support of people can never do what only Jesus can do. Jesus can both heal, and when He doesn’t, He can meet us in a way that holds us in our deepest hour of need and loss.
Response
Jesus wants us to see and experience His power and compassion and then go on to minister His power and compassion to others. How do you need Jesus’ help at this time? Do you need Him to work a miracle or support you in your loss? Come to Him in prayer knowing that He is sufficient for all of your needs and the needs of others.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Please ensure that the members of your group are aware and familiar with using the daily devotionals.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
After a short break, we now continue in the gospel of Luke. This week in our devotionals and in this CG study, we will be learning from Jesus’ account of the raising of the widow’s son.
Please read Luke 7:11-17
If you were to summarise this account, how would you say it in one sentence?
Why do you think that Luke puts this and the previous miracle together in this way?
What stood out to you or how did God speak to you from Sunday's message?
What characteristics does this event reveal about Jesus?
What are the various applications and how, specifically, do you feel to respond to the message of this moment?
What was the end result of this encounter with Jesus?
SIV - How could you show the power and compassion of Christ to those outside of faith?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ this week?
SIV - Lets now pray together that, this week, we will have opportunities to SIV.
Jesus remains, as in this text, compassionate and powerful. Therefore, does anyone want prayer for anything else arising from this study?