Luke 7:11-17
There are some questions that can never be answered. Why this young man and not some other or all young men? There was no doubt there were many funeral processions across Palestine that day. But it was this one that Jesus interrupted. Some questions are easy to answer. Why did Jesus do this act of kindness? Because of compassion! The Greek doctor Luke writes the gospel to Theophilus who would have been well aware of the Stoics. Every religion and philosophy has to deal with the problem of pain. The approach of the Stoics was if you don't care then you'll never get hurt. They projected this toward their concept of the divine; God was completely apathetic about suffering. Nothing hurt him because he had perfect apathy. This worldview both explains the presence of evil or suffering and at least, in theory, provides a way for them to deal with suffering.
In a worldview where god cares not at all, Jesus comes and is full of compassion. It is expressed for this poor widow. Compassion so strong His stomach was tied in knots. It was compassion so intense that it compelled Him to heal the young man. In verse 15, Luke uses the medical term “sat up”. This is a term used by doctors to describe a completely healed person.
In the world religions it is not hard to find a god that is vengeful, vindictive, peevish, angry or apathetic. But a caring deity, this is the greatest of rarities. Luke by the guidance of the Holy Spirit links these two stories. First is the story of faith great enough to ask and then a story of the God who cares. We can live in the realization that what breaks my heart is known to God and beyond that He cares.
So, what are my fears, what are my hurts, where do I need the Lord to do what only the Lord can do?
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