Luke 7:11-17 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.… I. WHAT ARE WE HERE CERTIFIED CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST? 1. This miracle attests that He was an authorized messenger of God. This was the direct and immediate conviction that it wrought upon those who witnessed it. "There came great fear upon all; and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us, and, That God hath visited His people." Nor were they mistaken in their conclusion from the premises. No one can recall the dead but by the great power of God. Only He who originally gave life can restore it after it is gone. 2. The same forcibly attests the compassionate sympathy of Jesus for human sorrow. 3. And He is as mighty as He is good — as able to help as He is ready to pity. It is no easy thing to console and heal a broken heart. But Jesus not only relieved it, but entirely removed it. In a mere moment of time He dislodged it, and set a light in that darkened mother's soul, brighter than had ever shone there before. This miracle accordingly shows Him possessed of redeeming power, as well as sympathy. II. WHAT IS PICTURED TO US IN THIS MIRACLE OF THE WORKINGS OF GRACE? 1. Jesus found this young man dead, and being borne to burial. And herein is shown the sad and hopeless condition of everyone apart from Christ's gracious interposition for our rescue. The help of man in such a case is utterly powerless. If it were a case of mere physical disorder, the great storehouses of nature might perhaps furnish a remedy. If it were a case of mere functional lethargy or error, some stimulant or alternative might chance to be found out by the physician to correct the ailment. Or if it were a case of mere mental aberration, science and a better philosophy might serve to set the matter right. But the case is one of death; and no power of man has ever been able to bring the dead to life again. 2. "He came." There was no going or bearing of the dead man to Christ; but a coming of Jesus to him. The first approaches of grace and salvation are all from the side of a Divine movement toward us. From first to last, He is ever the coming One, who comes to us, approaches us, and brings to us whatever of salvation is ever experienced. "Lo! I come!" 3. "And touched the bier." Not without veritable contact with the polluted things of earth could spiritual quickening be imparted to its fallen inhabitants. 4. Yet it was by the Word that the resuscitation was imparted. "He said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise." All the potency of creatorship and resurrection resides in it, and goes forth through it. People often have a very poor appreciation of the Word. They care not to hear it. Many only despise it. Christ's words are spirit, and they are life. 5. When Christ's word of command reached the consciousness of this dead man, it then devolved upon him to obey it. Human agency and volition must, after all, cooperate with Divine grace. III. WHAT, NOW, AS TO THE PROPHECIES AND FOREPLEDGES CONTAINED IN THIS MIRACLE? 1. It was a raising of a dead man to life, and so an exhibition of resurrection power. To raise one requires the power of God; to raise all requires no more. He has raised the dead, and He can raise all. 2. It was the making glad of a very sorrowing heart and a very desolate home. (J. A. Seiss, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
    |