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From Heaven With Love
people came, bringing their sick for healing, and ever hoping that He
would make Himself known as the King of Israel. A glad, expectant
company followed Him up the rocky path toward the gate of the
mountain village.
As they drew near, a funeral train was seen proceeding to the
place of burial. On an open bier in front was the body of the dead.
Filling the air with their wailing cries, the mourners gathered to
show sympathy for the bereaved.
The deceased was the only son of his mother, and she a widow.
The lonely mourner was following to the grave her sole earthly
support and comfort. “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion
on her.” As she moved on blindly, weeping, He came close beside
her and gently said, “Weep not.”
“He came and touched the bier.” To Jesus contact with death
could impart no defilement. The bearers stood still, and the mourners
gathered, hoping against hope. One was present who had vanquished
demons; was death also subject to His power?
In clear, authoritative voice the words were spoken, “Young man,
I say unto thee, Arise.” That voice pierced the ears of the dead. The
young man opened his eyes. Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted
him up, and mother and son united in a long, joyous embrace. The
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multitude looked on in silence, as if in the very presence of God.
Then they “glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up
among us, and that God hath visited His people.” The funeral train
returned to Nain as a triumphal procession.
He who stood beside the sorrowing mother at Nain is touched
with sympathy for our grief. His word is no less efficacious now
than when spoken to the young man of Nain. See
Matthew 28:18
.
To all who believe on Him, He is still a living Saviour.
The mother’s son was called forth to this earthly life, to endure
its sorrows and to pass again under the power of death. But Jesus
comforts our sorrow for the dead with a message of infinite hope: “I
am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore,
... and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Revelation 1:18
.
Satan cannot hold in spiritual death one soul who in faith receives
Christ’s word of power. “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from
the dead.”
Ephesians 5:14
. The word of God which bade the first
man live, still gives life. Christ’s word, “Young man, I say unto thee,