In Luke 7 we learn of a widow who’s only son has died. Jesus and his disciples come upon the funeral procession as they are traveling to the village of Nain. The New Testament is full of references to Jesus’ keen sense of observation. He doesn’t merely look at people, but he truly sees them. As Jesus looks upon this scene he is deeply moved by the widow’s grief and the situation. In verse 13 we learn that his heart overflowed with compassion. He shared her pain. He was aware of the depth of emotion she was experiencing, and in response, he walked over to the coffin, touched it, and commanded the boy to get up. This act was unthinkable because the Law of Moses determined that anyone who touched anything associated with a dead body would be unclean. If it happened certain protocols had to be followed for the person to be reinstated into the community. It was especially forbidden for a priest to touch unclean things. Jesus always considered people before rules. His concern was for the widow, not for a rule that would prevent him from healing her hurt. Other stories tell us about Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath, associating with people who were far from God, doing what he needed to do to reach people where they were. Jesus experienced all the emotions that we do. He was fully God and fully human. There is no hurt he doesn’t understand.

Scriptures – Luke 7:11-16

Verse – Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today.” (Lk 7:11-16)

Thought – The Lord sees you. He knows what you’re going through, sees your pain, hears the cries of your heart. He knows when you are trying to catch your breath, your heart rate accelerates, you are feeling desperate, afraid, anxious, when you are in pain, hurting. Just as he was overwhelmed with compassion for the widow, he is overwhelmed with compassion for whatever you are going through. He feels your pain and he wants to bring healing. No matter what has caused your hurt, whether disappointment, betrayal, loss, health concerns, or whatever, he stands nearby wanting to reach out in love. Don’t keep God at a distance, he cares about what you’re facing and is reaching out in love wanting to touch that area of hurt, pain. It takes just one touch from God to change everything.

Questions – Are you dealing with a long-term hurt? If so, why have you been unable to move beyond it? Do you easily take offense even when the person or situation was not aimed at you nor intended to cause hurt? What is the deepest hurt you have ever experienced? Have you moved past it? Explain. If yes, how were you able to move on? How can you forgive and move on without resolution of the situation that hurt you?

Response – Talk to a trusted Christian friend about your hurt. Get some input, advice about how you can move forward. Pray and seek God’s guidance and ask him to place forgiveness in your heart so that you no longer harbor contempt or anger toward anyone. Read the Bible. Find Scriptures that deal with your specific hurt and be open to God’s will. Give it to God. It may take doing this repeatedly…but if you are consistent and determined, it will come to pass. Pray for healing and forgiveness even if restoration or reconciliation aren’t possible.

Prayer – Dear Lord, calm my heart, ease my pain. Give me the power to forgive. I know that you can soothe my spirit and heal my hurt. Let me use my energy to serve you and not waste it by being stuck in a cycle of hurt. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who gives me strength. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.