Luke 7:11-16

A little later Jesus went to a city called Nain. His disciples and a great crowd traveled with him. ¹² As he approached the city gate, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. ¹³ When he saw her, the Lord had compassion for her and said, “Don’t cry.” ¹⁴ He stepped forward and touched the stretcher on which the dead man was being carried. Those carrying him stood still. Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, get up.” ¹⁵ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

¹⁶ Awestruck, everyone praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”

Key Passage:

Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, get up.” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Awestruck, everyone praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”—Luke 7:14b-16

Commentary:

A widow was about to bury her only son. Jesus was moved with compassion toward her because he knew that without a husband or son to care for her, this woman would be destitute. Jesus restored life to the young man, and the crowd praised him as a great prophet. They also saw through Jesus’ acts of greatness that God is great and had come to help them.

Questions to Discuss:

When have others seen God’s love through your service?

How much are you moved by compassion to serve others?