And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”
My kids used to hate it when I would make them laugh when they were trying to be mad. I get it. There is a time for everything and they felt that was the time for anger and I ruined it. Now I have grandchildren… This story in Luke was definitely a time to mourn but Jesus said something extraordinary. Do not weep. It was not for my reason with the kids, to make them happy, though they soon would be. This was to display his power as God the Son visiting his people.
God’s presence was not lost on those people, yet sometimes we go through trial as if we are alone and it is a time to mourn or worse, give up. When Jesus says do not weep, it means he is about to display his power of comfort, patience, and mercy to us in our lowest moments. Our response is the same as the people at the funeral. Jesus has risen among us! God is with us! This is how we know that joy will come in the morning.
Dear Lord, thank you that you have promised us joy in times of suffering and you show your power. Help us to not be afraid or give up. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church