The Resurrection at Nain - Jesus Speaks

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 Have you ever heard words that changed everything? I have. In 2001 I was in the Philippines for a conference. My accommodation was on the OM ship the MV Doulos. Groups came to visit every day. On one such visit, a lady caught my eye. That night in the cabin where I slept, I was settling down to sleep when I heard a voice in my head, clear as day: "She's the one". "No, Lord! That's impossible!" I replied. "I'm a missionary to Romania. I have hardly any money. She lives in the Philippines. How is this going to work?" We got married in 2003, had our daughter in 2004 and now live in Scotland. Against all the odds, and with the help of some very supportive brothers and sisters in Christ, and my family, we got together and jumped through all the hoops to stay together. In 1976 the Bee Gees released a much-covered ballad where the singer said that his attempts to woo his intended were "Only words". Well, words have power. The Word of God in particular has power: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12‭-‬13 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/heb.4.12-13.NIVUK In the case of this young man, Jesus' quietly spoken but authoritative words echoed across the great divide between the dead and the living and pulled him back. The prophet Ezekiel even had a vision where the Word of God, spoken through him, quickens a valley of dry bones and turns them into a mighty army (Ezekiel 37:1-14). Never underestimate the power of Jesus' words. The universe was created by the power of His word. His word can raise the dead. It did here. It did it three times in the Gospel. It can and will do it again. Maybe right now you feel like this young man: cut off in your prime, leaving only a trail of damage and destruction and pain in your wake. Maybe you feel like the only hope for you is the grave. But that's because you haven't met Jesus yet. Let Him stop your pity parade. Let Him touch your bier. Let Him speak gently to your lifeless soul. Then come alive! Come more alive than you ever were your entire life. Rise up! Rise up from your bier and live again! There's an old saying that says "Where there's life, there's hope." Jesus goes way beyond that. Where there is Jesus there is hope, even beyond the grave. So seek Him today. Listen carefully to Him. Read His Word and listen to His voice. Let those words be your life today.