From: March 26, 2014
Jesus doesn’t like funerals. When he encountered the crying widow of Nain marching behind her only son’s coffin in a funeral procession, he interrupted their progress. He was moved with compassion for the widow whose only link to a hopeful future lay in the casket. The rights and possessions of her husband belonged to her now dead son. She would be left destitute and alone. But Jesus crashed the funeral and told the widow, “Don’t cry!” How offensive this would be if he were only telling her to deny her feelings. After all, what else could she do? She had no power to overcome death. She had every right to those tears! Who is this that he would stop a funeral along with its tears? He is Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life. When death meets Life, Life wins. And tears end and laughter begins.
From: March 26, 2013
Every day we awake to a new day never expecting otherwise. Yet, we have no control over the sun’s rising nor setting. We haven’t even any authority over our heart’s beating or lung’s breathing. Even the faithless atheist counts on such things remaining constant, setting his alarm and marking his calendar as if there were some galactic guarantee. But the Psalmist “blessed the Lord,” recognizing that it is God who gives us life and daily sustains us, awakening us to a new day.
From: March 26, 2012
Where is death threatening today? In your marriage or other close relationship? Perhaps in your body as you’re getting older or the doctor has given a scary diagnosis? There are little “deaths” that we die along the road to dying. But our God saves. This salvation will overcome all death.
From: March 26, 2011
Live wise: Live for eternity and aim your time, talent and treasure at taking others with you.
From: March 26, 2009
Luke records the raising of the widow’s son by Jesus. I love this story! Jesus and the disciples approach a city and are met by a funeral procession coming towards them. You know, their headlights are on and they’re heading for the graveyard. But Jesus stops the pall bearers and tells the dead boy to get up (Jews buried their dead within 24 hours and usually carried them on open pallets or caskets)
The boy is raised and Jesus gives him to his overjoyed mother. Doesn’t Jesus know that you’re not supposed to stop a hearse on the way to a funeral?