Tom Barnard

“As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’”

 (Luke 17:12, 13)

“The words are not out of a textbook on pastoral care. They seep from the cracks of a heart bursting with compassion. Jesus turns to the woman’s son. ‘Young man, I say to you, get up.’ Two words to the bereaved, eight to the deceased. But that is enough. Enough to snatch a son from death’s pilfering hand and return him to the arms of his mother.” (Ken Gire, in Incredible Moments with the Savior, Zondervan, 1990. page 43)

The widow-lady was alone now, even though surrounded by friends and neighbors. She had lost her husband, and now she had lost their only son. Her home no longer laughed with celebration. Now it was a shell, emptied of the life it once knew. She was part of a procession that was accompanying the casket to a grave-site outside of town. Another procession was approaching the town gate from the opposite direction, led by the Master. The Lord paused to honor the procession on its way to the cemetery. Luke said that when Jesus saw her, “His heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t Cry.’”

Not only was this miracle an incredible display of the Lord’s power, but also of his compassion. It is so easy to focus on miracles and overlook that behind the miracle is always the caring heart of God. He not only sees, but He feels the hurts we carry. As far as we know, the woman did not even know who Jesus was. She did not throw herself at Jesus’ feet and beg for the life of her son. She didn’t demonstrate faith that a miracle was possible. For her, all hope was gone. Without prompting by anyone present that day, Jesus paused to focus on the woman and her broken dreams.

Are you overwhelmed by events in life over which you have no control? Do your disappointments run deep? Have you thought, “This is a hopeless situation”? Has the mourning begun? Is there no one who cares?  “Don’t cry.” There is One who cares. He has called to a halt everything around Him so he can concentrate on you. You are more important to him at this moment than any other world event. Think of that! He calls a silence to every piece of bad news you have ever heard. He who is the architect of creation has stopped to care for you. To give life to your dreams again.

Jesus, Savior, Friend, thank you for pausing by my procession today. I was about to bury a dream, but you have brought life to that dead dream. You have not only called a halt to my tears, but you have restored the hope that I was sure was gone. With everything else doing on in this world, you have singled me out for a healing. Oh, how much I have needed to hear you speak today. Your grace is so amazing. I accept it today. I praise you in advance for what you are doing in my behalf. Thank you for caring so deeply for me. Amen.