The Resurrection at Nain - Jesus Sees

Soon afterwards, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 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.’ Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.’ This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. Luke 7:11‭-‬17 NIVUK We have a very simple system in the UK. If you are disabled in any way, there are blue stickers you can put in your car that grant you car parking closer to shops and supermarkets and malls and entertainment venues. It's a good and a necessary system. Of course, there are those who are so selfish that they defraud it just so they can park a few metres closer to the place they are visiting, but overall, the blue badge scheme is the right thing to do. There are also those whose disabilities are not immediately obvious: who have problems with their heart or other internal organs, or who suffer from degenerative brain conditions, who have these badges. They are, of course, no less deserved, but these hidden disabilities can often cause suspicious glances from passers by who think their blue badge is not genuine. What we see here is a funeral. As I said in my introduction, funerals are hard to miss. They are very distinctive. Jesus sees the funeral. Of course He does. But He doesn't just see the funeral. He sees the hurt and pain of a widowed mother. He sees her last opportunity to have someone take care of her and provide for her disappear. He sees not just the dreadful loss of a child - and no parent should ever have to bury their child - but also the intense pain and fear of a lonely, potentially destitute future. He sees not only the outer pain, but the inner pain too. He sees it all. How do we know? You have searched me, Lord , and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord , know it completely. Psalms 139:1‭-‬4 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/psa.139.1-4.NIVUK And He sees our pain. Maybe you're like those blue badge holders who, on the outside appear fine, but have an inner disability. Maybe you can keep a smiley facade, but it simply covers up the fact that you are falling apart inside. Maybe you feel you have to keep going, you have to be brave, you have to be strong, but it's all a front. It's just a veneer. You're crumbling inside and you know it. So does Jesus. Maybe you feel hopelessly alone. You feel you can't talk to anyone about what you're going through. The pressure is building inside of you and you feel like you could blow up at any minute. You know there is a problem. You know you can't go on anymore. You know you need help. So does Jesus. Jesus sees all. He knows all. He knew to pick out a broken widow in a crowd of mourners. He knew where the person weeping the hardest was in a crowd of people crying out in pain. He knows. You might feel like your suffering is insignificant compared to others. You might scold yourself for "being silly". But Jesus sees. Jesus knows. Because Jesus felt it too: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/heb.4.15.NIVUK So whether you are the only person breaking apart inside in a crowd of shiny, happy people or you feel like just another mourner at a funeral, it doesn't matter. Jesus sees. Jesus knows. Jesus has felt it too. You are never, ever alone.