Jesus' Compassion: Hope and Restoration for All
Summary
In today's exploration of Luke 7, we delve into the profound compassion of Jesus Christ, as demonstrated in the miraculous raising of the widow's son in the village of Nain. This narrative is unique to Luke's Gospel and highlights the depth of Jesus' empathy and power. The story contrasts with the previous account of Jesus healing the centurion's servant, showcasing Jesus' reach across social and economic divides. The centurion was a wealthy Gentile, while the widow was a poor Jew, yet Jesus' compassion extends to both, illustrating that His love and power are not limited by status or circumstance.
The widow's plight is dire; she has lost her only son, her last remaining family member, leaving her in a vulnerable position in society. Jesus, moved by compassion, intervenes in her moment of despair. He stops the funeral procession and commands the young man to rise, restoring him to life and to his mother. This act of compassion is not just about the miracle of raising the dead but also about Jesus' willingness to touch the unclean and to see those whom society overlooks. In doing so, He demonstrates that His kingdom is one where the marginalized are seen and valued.
This miracle is a foretaste of the ultimate victory over death that Jesus would achieve through His own resurrection. While the widow's son, like Lazarus and Jairus' daughter, would eventually face death again, these miracles point to the eternal life promised through Christ's resurrection. Jesus' compassion is not just for the moment but is an eternal promise of life and hope beyond the grave. As believers, we are reminded that Jesus sees us in our suffering, touches us in our uncleanness, and promises to raise us to new life. His compassion is a constant, unwavering presence that assures us of His love and the hope of resurrection.
Key Takeaways:
1. Christ's Compassion Sees the Poor: Jesus' encounter with the widow of Nain reveals His deep compassion for those in desperate situations. He sees the widow's plight and intervenes, showing that His love is not limited by social or economic status. Jesus' compassion is a reminder that He sees and values each of us, regardless of our circumstances. [07:14]
2. Christ's Compassion Touches the Unclean: By touching the bier of the widow's son, Jesus defies cultural norms and religious laws that deemed such actions as making one unclean. His willingness to touch the unclean demonstrates His power to purify and restore, highlighting that His compassion transcends societal boundaries. [16:59]
3. Christ's Compassion Raises the Dead: The raising of the widow's son is a powerful testament to Jesus' authority over life and death. It foreshadows His own resurrection and the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Him. This miracle assures us that Jesus has the power to conquer death and bring new life. [25:50]
4. The Universality of Jesus' Compassion: Jesus' actions in Nain show that His compassion is not limited to a specific group but extends to all, including the marginalized and overlooked. His love is inclusive, reaching out to both the wealthy centurion and the impoverished widow, demonstrating that His grace is available to everyone. [10:40]
5. Hope in the Face of Death: Jesus' compassion offers hope in the face of death, reminding us that He is with us in our suffering and promises resurrection and eternal life. His victory over death assures us that we will be reunited with our loved ones in Christ and that our tears will be wiped away forever. [28:44]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:54] - Introduction to the Compassion of Christ
- [04:39] - The Story of Robert Dabney
- [06:12] - Jesus' Compassion in the Face of Death
- [07:14] - Christ's Compassion Sees the Poor
- [08:37] - The Widow's Plight
- [10:40] - Jesus Seeks the Overlooked
- [12:23] - The Invisible in Society
- [13:44] - The Story of Joshua Bell
- [15:09] - Jesus' Pursuit of the Marginalized
- [16:59] - Christ's Compassion Touches the Unclean
- [18:56] - The Collision of Life and Death
- [20:40] - Jesus' Power Over Contagion
- [22:45] - Jesus Wept: The Reality of Death
- [23:53] - The Promise of No More Tears
- [25:50] - Christ's Compassion Raises the Dead
- [26:48] - The Ultimate Resurrection
- [27:59] - Hope Beyond the Grave
- [28:44] - Assurance of Eternal Life
- [30:31] - Invitation to Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Compassion of Christ
Bible Reading:
- Luke 7:11-17
Observation Questions:
1. What was the social and economic status of the widow in the story, and how did it contrast with the centurion from the previous account? [08:37]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate His compassion towards the widow of Nain? [07:14]
3. What was the reaction of the crowd after Jesus raised the widow's son from the dead? [23:53]
4. How does the story of the widow's son in Nain foreshadow Jesus' own resurrection? [25:50]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' willingness to touch the bier of the widow's son reveal about His approach to cultural and religious norms? [16:59]
2. How does the miracle of raising the widow's son illustrate the universality of Jesus' compassion? [10:40]
3. In what ways does the story of the widow's son provide hope in the face of death for believers today? [28:44]
4. How does Jesus' interaction with the widow challenge our understanding of who is seen and valued in society? [12:23]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overlooked or marginalized. How does knowing that Jesus sees and values you change your perspective? [10:40]
2. Jesus touched the unclean to bring healing and restoration. Is there a "taboo" or difficult situation in your life where you feel called to bring compassion and healing? [16:59]
3. How can you extend Jesus' compassion to someone in your community who is in a desperate situation, similar to the widow of Nain? [07:14]
4. In what ways can you be more aware of the "invisible" people in your daily life, and how can you show them that they are valued? [12:23]
5. How does the promise of resurrection and eternal life through Jesus impact your view of death and loss? [28:44]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to experience Jesus' compassion. How can you invite Him into that situation this week? [20:40]
7. Consider the story of Joshua Bell playing unnoticed in the subway. How can you ensure that you don't miss the "beautiful music" of God's work in the ordinary moments of your life? [13:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Compassion Transcends Social Barriers
In the story of the widow of Nain, Jesus demonstrates His profound compassion by reaching out to a woman in a desperate situation. The widow, having lost her only son, is left vulnerable and marginalized in society. Jesus' intervention in her life is a powerful reminder that His love and compassion are not limited by social or economic status. He sees the plight of the poor and the overlooked, and He acts with empathy and power to bring restoration and hope. This narrative contrasts with the healing of the centurion's servant, showing that Jesus' compassion extends to both the wealthy and the impoverished, the Gentile and the Jew. His actions remind us that His kingdom is one where all are seen and valued, regardless of their circumstances. [07:14]
"Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him." (Proverbs 14:31, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life might be feeling overlooked or marginalized? How can you extend Jesus' compassion to them today?
Day 2: Jesus' Willingness to Touch the Untouchable
In the account of the widow's son, Jesus defies cultural norms and religious laws by touching the bier, an act that would have been considered unclean. This action highlights Jesus' willingness to cross societal boundaries to bring healing and restoration. His touch signifies His power to purify and His deep compassion for those deemed untouchable by society. Jesus' actions challenge us to consider how we view and treat those who are marginalized or considered unclean in our own communities. His compassion transcends societal boundaries, inviting us to do the same. [16:59]
"And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, 'If you will, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, 'I will; be clean.'" (Mark 1:40-41, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone in your life whom you have avoided because they are different or considered "unclean"? How can you reach out to them with compassion today?
Day 3: Jesus' Authority Over Life and Death
The raising of the widow's son is a powerful testament to Jesus' authority over life and death. This miracle foreshadows His own resurrection and the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Him. While the widow's son would eventually face death again, this act of compassion points to the eternal life promised through Christ's resurrection. Jesus' authority over death assures us that He has the power to conquer it and bring new life. As believers, we are reminded that Jesus' compassion is not just for the moment but is an eternal promise of life and hope beyond the grave. [25:50]
"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22, ESV)
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life through Jesus' resurrection impact your perspective on death and suffering today?
Day 4: The Inclusivity of Jesus' Compassion
Jesus' actions in Nain demonstrate that His compassion is not limited to a specific group but extends to all, including the marginalized and overlooked. His love is inclusive, reaching out to both the wealthy centurion and the impoverished widow. This universality of Jesus' compassion challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes and actions towards those who are different from us. Jesus' grace is available to everyone, and as His followers, we are called to extend that same grace and compassion to all, regardless of their background or status. [10:40]
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)
Reflection: Are there people or groups you find difficult to show compassion to? How can you begin to see them through the lens of Jesus' inclusive love?
Day 5: Hope and Assurance in the Face of Death
Jesus' compassion offers hope in the face of death, reminding us that He is with us in our suffering and promises resurrection and eternal life. His victory over death assures us that we will be reunited with our loved ones in Christ and that our tears will be wiped away forever. This hope is not just for the future but is a present reality that sustains us in times of grief and loss. As believers, we are called to live in the assurance of Jesus' promise, finding comfort and strength in His unwavering presence and love. [28:44]
"He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken." (Isaiah 25:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you find comfort in Jesus' promise of eternal life during times of personal loss or grief? What steps can you take to share this hope with others who are suffering?
Quotes
We thank you, Jesus, that you respond to requests when we come to you in faith, but also, Lord, that you look to us in our points of pain when we're not looking for you, and you stop and you touch us anyway. And so, as we unpack this ancient miracle, might your compassion be poured out afresh into any points of sorrow, sadness, and suffering in the room, that we would encounter the living Savior with his living compassion, and know that you are a compassionate Lord and Savior. We ask this and pray this in Jesus's name. [00:03:10] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And I realized, today, we see Jesus do a miraculous work, namely stop a funeral, right, and raise a child. This is the first of three times Jesus raises the dead. And if you've been a believer for a while, you realize that death is an enemy. It's not naturally part of the created order. It was brought into the world because of sin, and Jesus came to push back the curse through his resurrection power. [00:05:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And whether Jesus heals in that moment or Jesus heals on that final day, we remember afresh that Jesus cares and Jesus cancels out death. Jesus is a compassionate Savior, amen? [00:06:47] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Jesus sees her, and he speaks to her, and he comes to her to offer his compassion, we're told. He's making a special journey to the least of these, to the poor, to those who aren't even looking because Jesus is looking for the least, the left out, and those who are passed over to bring the compassion of God. That's good news, amen? [00:11:14] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
These two stories couldn't be any more starkly different, which should also give us caution if we ever have a view that Jesus blesses the rich or only the poor. Jesus covers all the spectrums and everywhere in between, and he responds in faith, and even when we don't have it, he'll give it to you anyway, right? Our Bible is so rich with all of these different stories. He goes after the Gentiles, and then he goes to his own. He goes to us all. All with his compassion. [00:11:43] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
But before we get to the miracle in a moment, I want you to see once again the willingness of Jesus Christ to go to some of the most unclean places in the world and to see the dead corpse. And traditionally what would happen, right, if you touch something unclean, you become unclean. But in the inauguration of the Christ coming into the world, the curse is being pushed back and the great grand reversal that puts together all that is broken in the world is ushered in, in the person and work and ministry of Christ so that when Jesus touches the unclean, he doesn't become unclean. Rather, the unclean thing is cast out, amen? The unclean thing, the unclean thing becomes clean. And so the confrontation between death and the disciples of Jesus, Jesus wins and Jesus stands in the way of death with his compassion to wipe away the tears that death would usher into the world. Jesus touches the unclean. [00:19:13] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Because I'm tired of crying, and I'm tired of people dying, and I can't wait to get there where my friendship with you will last forever and will never be interrupted by this vicious enemy named death that crawls into our life and cuts it short, in the blink of a moment. You were not created for death. You were not created for tears. You were created for joy, and you were created for life. And Jesus will give you both forever if you touch him, amen? Christ, compassion first. He sees the poor, and he touches the unclean. [00:23:38] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Jesus is the one who raises the dead. John the Baptist asks, are you the one, or are we to look for another? He says, tell John this, the dead are raised. And this is the first of those three accounts. So we talked about the one here. We talked about Lazarus, and there's the raising of Jairus' daughter. In all three of those instances, Jesus raises the dead. He raises people who were already dead. [00:25:13] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Jesus has the power to raise the dead, and these are all a foretaste of the perfection of that future. It spills into this present evil age to see the inaugurated power of God that will one day cancel death for good. [00:26:48] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
That Jesus sees you in your sadness. That Jesus sees your tears and he cares. That Jesus came into this world to weep beside us like he did at Lazarus' tomb. That Jesus came to us to give us hope. Hope in the face of death. And Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead to ultimately overcome death for you. You will meet your child again if they are in Christ Jesus. Amen? You will meet your spouse again on that final day. And you will meet all of the saints who have gone to sleep before you because Jesus holds them secure in the palm of his hand. And on that final day when we get there and we see our Father face to face, I'm so thankful. I'm so thankful that we not only meet the judge of all the earth, but we meet the Redeemer who carries us on his lap and sees those tears. [00:28:58] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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