There was a city of Galilee, called Nain, which means beauty, or pleasant. It was built on the hillside, with a lovely view of the mountains, and we might expect all to be very happy there.
But many were sad the day Jesus and the disciples walked up the hill, for death had come in that pleasant city. And when Jesus and those with Him came near the gates, a funeral procession was coming out on the way to the tombs. People did not then use carriages, but walked, and men carried the dead person on what is called a bier, or stretcher.
The person who had died was not old, but a young man, the only son of a widow. This mother was weeping, and the many friends with her could not comfort her, or take the place of her dear son. She did not know that there was One near who could change her sorrow to joy.
Jesus came to her and said, “Weep not.” Then He stepped to the bier and touched it. The men carrying it seemed to feel His authority and stood still. Then Jesus spoke to the lifeless body, “Young man, I say unto thee. Arise” The young man sat up and began to speak; what he said is not told, but what a change from a dead body, so soon to have been laid in the tomb! And what instant power came by the voice of the Lord Jesus!
The young man’s mother or his friends could have called ever so loudly and he would not have heard, but the voice of the Lord at once brought him to life. Wonder and joy must have filled his mother’s heart, and “fear,” or awe and great reverence, came to all the people beside that road. They said “A great prophet is risen up among us.” Later they would learn that Jesus was more than a prophet— that He was the Son of God.
Resurrection
This account is given only by Luke: the story of the raising of the ruler’s daughter is given later (Luke 8). So this young man may have been the first person the Lord Jesus raised from death. His sorrow for that mother and His words, “Weep not,” can still comfort those who mourn, and His power to raise that one, assures us that He will do so for all, as He later said. And it will be His own voice which will call the dead of all ages, for He said, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice (the voice of the Son of Man), and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-2928Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28‑29)).
In the Bible, “the good” or “the just,” are those who believe God’s words; “the evil” or “the unjust” are those who do not believe God. So these words tell that those who believe God will be raised for blessing: those who do not believe Him, will be raised later for judgment (in Revelation 20:55But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (Revelation 20:5) a time is named between the resurrections). These are solemn words; how important to believe God and the Son of God, whom He sent!
Further Meditation
1. What does it mean that fear came on the people who saw the widow’s son raised from the dead?
2. What is it that makes the death of a loved one such a painful moment? Why does the power of God to raise the dead cause both great joy and intense fear?
3. You might the short pamphlet Death, the Intermediate State, Resurrection, and Final Destiny by B. Anstey to be very informative as you think about what happens after death.