Jesus really does see the ‘invisible’
Jesus is genuine. Jesus is empathy. He is love.
Here in Luke 7 we continue to find out more about who Jesus was and is. It is through these earlier passages that we see the unfolding of Jesus’ character and mission. I am really enjoying seeing how women a vital part to this too. I feel that the old testament and earlier Lukan passages are leading us to this point. The point of seeing Jesus in his fully human and yet fully God state and how he moves through humanity. Luke 7:11-17 portrays a striking image of Jesus as a human. In the past I think I have felt that Jesus was so perfect, so beautiful that I could perhaps not fully appreciate his gritty humanity. He is a man who leaked compassion with every step and yet at the same time perhaps it can be hard to truly grasp the depth of that. Yet, here I am shaken by the raw emotion we see in Jesus, and it is truly humbling.
11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 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.13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
14 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!”15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
12 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.
Two things jumped out to me here, firstly, we soon learn two things about this woman. She is a mother and a widow, both of which carry great significance here. In regards to being a widow, they were already considered lowly within society and now she would be without a son. Her son would have provided for her, protected her but now he was silent ... gone (Wilson,2017). She would have nothing left. Reid (p105,1996) highlights that widowhood is a golden thread weaving through the whole Bible. Exodus 22:23 highlights the social responsibilities of the time, and clearly stresses that no widow or orphan should be afflicted. Reid (p105, 1996) states that Jesus is acting as God. Jesus is acting on the laws written hundreds of years before! I love the consistency of God’s heart. Widows have always had God’s heart. They are to always be protected.
The second thing was the community that surrounds her. We read that crowds were with her. I imagine a flock of women leading the procession weeping uncontrollably. A sea of women joining together amidst the sorrow. Reid says that although this widow does not speak there is power in her silent tears (Reid, p106,1996). Reid draws attention to the power found through silent action and unity. For example, after the ‘dirty war’ in Argentina, a group of women called The Madres de la plaza de Mayo (a group of widows) would silently march through the streets every thursday over a period of years to express their outrage at losing their husbands and sons who just vanished during the war. In 1982 the dictatorship fell, I am sure this had something to do with it. I love that the powerlessness in the face of death can actually bring forth life (Reid, p106, 1996)
13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
I absolutely LOVE this verse! Jesus showed such raw compassion here. His gut response is to comfort her. He acts on impulse and what flows out of him is pure love for her. A childless widow. We know Jesus’ heart is drawn to her. This verse demonstrates the true authenticity of Jesus’ human side. Jesus’ first response is compassion, that is all we see here. He does not hide his feelings or make an informed decision he acts on his resounding empathy for this woman.
Luke refers to Jesus as ‘Lord’ here which is the first time it has been used in relation to Christ. Henrich.S 2010) Suggests that Luke uses this here as “ he is at his most "lordly" as one who shows mercy”. We also see that there are two parables teaching compassion that are unique to Luke: the good samaritan and the prodigal son (Henrich, S, 2010). I think this demonstrates that mercy and compassion are extremely important qualities of Jesus and his followers. I also love that Jesus SEES her! Henrich points out that in the two parables mentioned above along with Lazarus and the rich man and Zacchaeus there is the theme of sight, and being seen or found by Jesus. This moves me. Those who are unseen, or even those who hide out of sight are drawn out and saved by Jesus. I think it is much deeper than this, but I think it is remarkable that Jesus sees her, and that is important.
14 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!”15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
After Jesus brings her son back to life I find it prominent that Jesus hands the boy back to his mother. Jesus performed his first raising of the dead miracle for her, not for the son or for the people. Jesus restores her as a mother. He gives her back her love. Her identity. Her Life.
After Jesus’ beautiful response of compassion he then performs an act of God. He is compelled to heal the son after he sees the woman’s suffering. Earlier this year I was involved in a refugee conversational english class. It was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I felt so much compassion for these vulnerable people, and felt compelled to DO something. Anything. There is so much to be done, but I am so often bound by restrictions. Although many are perhaps my insecurities. The prominent issue here is that Jesus first felt compassion, then was moved to bring her son back to life. Let us be moved by things that break our hearts and act on that.
Before there was silence and now there is talking, laughing and weeping for joy!
“And in the midst is Jesus, smiling through tears” (Wilson,2017)
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