Jesus Transforms Tears into Joy

“Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ’Do not weep.’” [1]

Many disciples and a large crowd! More than the twelve were disciples of Jesus in some sense.

Pall bearers were transporting a dead man out the city gate presumably to a cemetery. The deceased was the only son of his mother. She was a widow. Her grief was great.

Jesus said to her, “Do not weep.”

The Lord once said to a dying king, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you.” [2]

The Psalmist wrote, “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” [3]

Jesus transforms tears that fall to the ground like seeds to produce crops of joy.

Jesus has compassion on this widow. The English word for compassion means to “suffer with.” The Greek word in the original text “σπλαγχνίζομαι” means to have the bowels yearn, i.e., feel sympathy, to pity: —hence to be moved with compassion. [4]

Jesus instantly understood the situation and had sympathy upon the widow.

Luke emphasizes Jesus’ deity by referring to Him as Lord.

“Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ So, he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen up among us;’ and ‘God has visited His people.’ And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding regions.” [5]

Jesus looked at the boy and spoke to a dead person as if he were alive. “God gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” [6] “He who was dead sat up and began to speak.”

Jesus transformed funeral processions into celebrations. This was also true for Jarius’ daughter and Lazarus. D.L. Moody was asked to conduct a funeral service, so he decided to study the gospels to find a funeral sermon delivered by Jesus. However, Moody searched in vain, because every funeral Jesus attended, He broke up by raising the dead!” [7]

May our Lord Jesus transform your tears into joy!

[1] Luke 7:11-13
[2] 2 Kings 20:5
[3] Psalm 126:5
[4] Strong’s Concordance
[5] Luke 7: 14-17
[6] Romans 4:17
[7] Luke 8:41-56, John 11:1-45, and Enduring Word Commentary