I LIKE true stories best. Shall I tell you one that I am never tired of hearing? It is about a poor widow whose son died, and about Jesus making him alive again. Any child that can read may find it in the seventh chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke. It begins at the twelfth verse.
The city where this poor woman lived was called Nain. Was it not sad that her only son should die? It made her feel more lonely than ever. She did not know, as she sat by his bedside when he was ill, and grieved to see him look so thin and pale, that the Lord Jesus was noticing her all the time, and that he meant to help her so wonderfully. Yet though Jesus cared about her sorrow so much, he did not come just then to make her son well. He knew it would be better not.
So the sick man died, and when it was the day for the funeral, the poor mother came crying along the road, with the people who were going to bury her dear dead son. No doubt she had prayed to God and told Him all her trouble. But she never thought the should get her son back again so soon. At least, the Bible does not say she did. She wanted comfort, and God sent it in quite a new way, so that everybody was taken by surprise. For just as they went out of the city, toward the burying-place, Jesus was coming in, with his disciples, and much people. They met very near the city gate.
When Jesus saw the poor mother crying, what do you think he said? “Weep not.” He felt for her. A number of her neighbors and friends also felt for her, but they could not do for her what Jesus did. Yet it was well they came with her that day if they had staid at home, they would have missed seeing Jesus make that dead man alive again. They came to see a scene of death and sadness; but the presence of the Lord Jesus turned it into a scene of life and joy.
Jesus put forth his hand, and when he touched the bier, the men that carried it stood still. Then the Lord said: “Young man, I say unto thee, arise!” That very moment the dead man was able to sit up and speak. How wonderful! Think how glad his mother must have been. Would she not love Jesus very much, and often think how he had made her desolate home happy and bright again through his grace and goodness? Would she not try to please him every day, to show that she was really thankful in heart? And would not her son go and tell as many people as possible about that kind Saviour who had rescued him from death by his mighty power?
The people were afraid when they saw the dead man rise up to life again. They did not understand who Jesus was, or they would not have been afraid, but they would have been glad indeed that he was come into the land to do them good.
Now, will you each look out three nice Bible texts that tell of his love, and three more that speak of his great power? and, if you can save some more time from play for this pleasant work, you can begin to find texts that show how God answers prayer. It would be a pity to pass one single day without finding something you have not noticed before in God’s holy word. There is no book like the precious Bible.