"When the Lord saw her, (the widow whose only son had just died), he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’…fear seized all of them and they glorified God…" (Luke7:13 and 16) And then "In their fright the women (the ones at Jesus’ tomb) bowed down with their faces to the ground but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He (Jesus) is not here; he has risen!’…" (Luke 24:5-6)

I am struck by the similarities between the Gospel text for today (the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost), Luke 7:11-17 and the resurrection account of Jesus from Luke 24.  In both cases we have weeping and despair over one who could not afford to die — and worship in response to something miraculous.  In both cases we have deep love and compassion.  In both cases we have the dead coming to life.  And in both cases the Good News is being proclaimed to all who would hear.

I said earlier that one similarity is that the Luke 7 account and Jesus’ resurrection included two people who could not afford to die.  Well…that is not entirely accurate, but I will stick with the above statement.  Jesus and the widow’s ONLY son could not afford to die in the eyes of the loved left behind.  For the widow, her only son was a source of income and care.  For Jesus early followers, he was the Messiah who was to save them and restore Israel.  Their deaths meant certain despair and definitely a cause for weeping.

But as Jesus proves in both cases, death does not have the final word.  In the case of the widow’s son, his resurrection is not the main point for this man would eventually die again.  The point is that this man’s new life was to give glory to God through Jesus Christ.  Something new was happening in their world and something new continues to happen in our world as well. 

Both of these stories prove that when it comes to Jesus, death has no power or strength.  It may cause weeping for the moment, but when the Good News is proclaimed, our weeping can turn to joy.  It turns to joy because in faith we know that death is only the doorway to our REAL home — paradise with Jesus Christ.  Death is not the end, but only the beginning.

So I think that I will take this text and head in that direction.  For me personally I find great hope in this especially when I face a grandma who’s health is declining fast.  She has told me countless times that she is ready.  And I know she is ready, but I am not.  But as I read this text, I move closer to being ready for I know that no matter what I will see my grandma again.  Death is a formidable foe, but it has lost. 

Do not weep…our Savior, Jesus Christ, reigns supreme.

Praise be to God always and forever.  Amen!
-edh-