Jesus is Essential
Luke 7:11–13: Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
“When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her” (v. 13). Jesus’ heart went out to her in unmitigated compassion. Luke uses the strongest word possible here to describe Jesus’ pity. The root word from which it comes refers to what is inside (the heart, liver, lungs), the viscera. It describes an emotion that has a physical effect. Jesus felt for her.
We should note that this was typical of Jesus. Later, at a similar occasion, when Jesus observed Mary and Martha weeping for Lazarus, “he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled” (John 11:33). The word translated “was deeply moved.” E. V. Rieu comments, “He gave way to such distress of spirit as made his body tremble.” Jesus felt for the two sisters so much that he had a physical reaction. And his convulsive feeling gave way to tears (v. 35). When he saw the widow, Jesus was inwardly convulsed with compassion. 1
Walking with Jesus
Jesus feels every ounce of your pain, hurt, and sorrow. He wants to help you. Will you receive His comfort? Will you allow His words to minister to your heart?
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Those who suffered heartbreaks are those who move with compassion.
Praying
Lord, thank You for upholding me and my family by your grace everyday.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1998). Luke: that you may know the truth. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
