(11) And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain: and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. (12) Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, Behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and much people of the city was with her. (13) And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. (14) And he came and touched the bier; and they that bare him stood still: and he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. (15) And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak: and he delivered him to his mother. (16) And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. (17) And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about.
This city of Nain lay near Mount Tabor, and not very remote from Capernaum. The case of this poor widow, and her dead son, is not noticed by either of the Evangelists, except Luke, and therefore it may be proper to attend to it somewhat more particularly. The history is but short, yet it is wound up to the most finished description of sorrow. This youth was not an infant, whose endearments had not therefore been long, so as by time to work deeper holdfast in the affections; but one arrived to manhood, in the flower of his age, and capable of recompensing a mother's care. And what made the loss more bitter, he was her only son; so that in his death she had been stripped of all. And, as if all this was not enough to weigh her down with overmuch sorrow, she was a widow; so that she had no husband to bear a part with her in the affliction, and to drink a portion of the sorrowful cup. Yea, an husband dead, and child too, so that she was desolate.
The scriptures have noticed the distress of such bereaving providences, as among the heavy calamities of life. Jeremiah 6:26; Zechariah 12:10. And we find this case attracted the attention of the Son of God. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her. Reader! what a sweet thought it is to relieve the sorrows of the Lord's people, that the eye of Jesus is always upon them. And his knowledge of their distresses is not only as God, but his feeling for them is as man. Blessedly is it said of him, in that he hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:18
The miracle he wrought in raising this young man from the dead, became the fullest and most decided evidence of his own sovereign power and Godhead. For although there are on record in scripture, several instances of the Lord's servants, for the confirmation of the faith, working such miracles, yet not one without first praying to the Lord to justify them as his servants, in the accomplishment of such deeds. But in the instance before us, here is the immediate act of Jesus, saying, Young man, I say unto thee, arise! I beg the Reader to notice this, with that due attention so decided a testimony gives to the Godhead of Christ. John 10:37-38. The improvements to be drawn from this miracle of Jesus, are very many; but it would swell our little work into too great a bulk to notice all. Yet, I cannot allow myself and Reader to leave it altogether, without first observing, what a most lovely view it affords of the tenderness and compassion of Christ. Truly was it said of him by the Prophet, He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. And I would request the Reader, while beholding this affection of character to his people while on earth, to remember that He is the same Jesus now in heaven. And the most blessed part of the subject is, that He not only knows what the exercises of his redeemed are, as God; but He knows also, and feels for them as man. That union of God and man in One Person, gives him both the power to know all, and the fellow-feeling to administer the suited relief to all; and in such a way, as without this union of the two natures, could not have answered our wants, and his glory, as Mediator. Oh! the preciousness of such views of Christ!
Reader! allow me to add one thought more on this glorious miracle of our God and Savior. Think what a testimony it carries with it concerning Him, and his Almightiness of character, as the resurrection and the life. Surely, He who raised the widow's son, can and will raise the members of his own mystical body, at the last day. They shall arise by virtue of their union with Him. All that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and come forth. But the dead in Christ shall rise first. For thus the charter of grace runs. He shall quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you. Read in confirmation those precious scriptures: Isaiah 26:19; John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Romans 8:11.