“Jesus went to a town called Nain…as he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out – the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Do not cry.’”
Luke 7:11-13
How dare Jesus tell this widow whose son has died, “do not cry.” What an insensitive thing to say. Not only had she lost her husband but now her son, the only source of stability is gone.
Customarily in the Ancient Near East, inheritance was passed from male to male. Hopefully, if a wife lost her husband there would be a son left to provide for her. If not, all wealth and provisions would be awarded to the nearest male relative who may or may not care for the widow. To be a widow in Jesus’ day left one with an uncertain future. Not only did the woman in Nain lose a son but her only source of provision – in essence her very life was lost! But Jesus took notice.
Throughout Scripture we find Jesus taking notice of those marginalized and in need. If you are like me, you may take this posture of our Lord for granted. “Of course Jesus notices the needy!” But it’s not just the needy that Jesus takes notice of but those in need without hope, without a future. No hope to repay a kindness. No hope to return a favor. No hope to offer recompense or repayment. Jesus does not qualify his love for others and what they might do in return; Jesus simply loves. (As if those of us in need had anything of worth to offer God in the flesh anyways)
Before entering Nain, Jesus encourages his disciples to “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” This is a command to love without qualification. Do you really believe Jesus meant this for us? To someone as hope-less, conniving, and self-centered as me? I often get sulky when someone doesn’t smile back at me while walking down the street. How much worse if a person does not return a greater favor or a kindness I might offer of great worth! Yet it is not the kindness we have earned that we offer to those who hate us but the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
God is so gracious and kind to us. God loves us even when we are hopelessly self-centered. God still provides us hope and a future. When we catch but a glimpse of his love for us it cannot help but bubble up and out over those we come in contact with. Those in need, those without hope, those without any means to repay us or offer us recompense experience the deep joy of Christ in us. Don’t take this grace and simple love for granted. May your heart go out to those in need around you today.
*Jonathan Sullivan is the Pastor at First Baptist Church, 1201 Western Circle Dr., in Dimmitt, Texas. Small groups meet on Sunday morning at 9:30 and Worship is at 10:30. Check us out at fbcdimmitt.com for more events and times.