Luke 7:12
Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
At the gate of Nain Jesus met a funeral procession carrying out for burial a dead young man who was his widowed mother's only son and sole support, while many townspeople went with her in sympathy for her deep loss. Seeing her sorrow He felt compassion, came beside her, told her not to weep, and by His word alone raised her son and gave him back to her. This shows He is touched with unchanging tenderness by the sorrow of mourners, especially a bereaved mother's woe, and still remains compassionate toward mothers in sorrow and need. The son was called back only to mortal earthly life with its hardships, still subject to decay and death, and not clothed with immortality as were those raised to everlasting life at Christ's own resurrection nevermore to see death or sorrow. His life-giving word still comforts those who mourn and gives hope because He has conquered death and can do more than can be asked or imagined, leaving His followers an example of compassionate work in sympathizing with, hearing, comforting, aiding, and helping every trusting mother and all in need.
Funeral Procession at Nain
As He came near to the gate of Nain He met a funeral procession just as it was leaving the city, bearing a dead man out for burial. The dead man was a young man being carried to his burial. He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. He had been her sole earthly support and comfort, which made her grief and loss especially deep as she followed his bier.
Much people of the city, many townspeople, were with her and accompanied her out. Their presence showed their sympathy for her in her loss.
Compassion, Power, and Hope
Jesus saw the widow's sorrow, felt compassion, came beside her, told her not to weep, and then raised her son and gave him back to her. It was by His word alone that the son was brought back to life, without a long process of treatment. This compassion shows He is touched by mourners' sorrow with unchanging tenderness, and especially by a bereaved mother's woe. He remains compassionate toward mothers in sorrow and need, touched by a mother's sorrow and ready to help those who trust in Him.
The son thus restored was brought back only to mortal earthly life with its hardships, still subject to death and decay, and he would die again. This was not a clothing with immortality. Those who came forth at Christ's own resurrection were different, for they were raised to everlasting life nevermore to see death or sorrow or experience decay. His word that called the young man back to life remains powerful, still comforts those who mourn, and gives believers hope because He has conquered death. It assures that He can do more than people can ask or imagine, offering the greater hope of deliverance from death.
The act stands as an example of compassionate medical missionary work for His followers to study and imitate. It proves He sympathizes with every mother in her work and hears her earnest prayers. He remains woman's best friend, ready to aid every mother in need who trusts in Him, and ready to comfort, aid, and help all in need.