Touched by Grace - the Healing Miracles of JesusSýnishorn

The Sovereign Touch

Luke 7:11-16 is a story about Jesus interrupting a funeral. A young man’s life had been cut short, but Jesus had compassion for the widow who was burying her son. Jesus “walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearer’s stopped.” Jesus spoke to the dead, saying, "Young man, he said, "I tell you, get up!”

Immediately, the deceased boy was sitting up and talking! I wonder what he said to Jesus! Then Jesus gave the boy back to his mother. This healing miracle should’ve been seen as a marvelous sign of divine intervention, but instead, this sovereign act was met with great fear.

The widow’s situation was serious. She had lost her husband, and now her only son had died, her last means of support. The crowd of mourners would soon disappear, leaving her penniless and alone. The widow was probably past the childbearing age and most likely wouldn’t marry again.

Unless a relative came to her aid, her future would be bleak. She would likely be reduced to begging for food. In fact, Luke repeatedly emphasized throughout his writing that this woman was just the kind of person Jesus had come to help. Jesus had great compassion for her pain and had the power to bring hope out of her tragedy.

The touch of Jesus goes beyond physical interaction. It represents a spiritual connection that transforms lives, inviting believers into a relationship with Him that offers salvation and spiritual healing. We are spiritually dead until we are drawn to Jesus and acknowledge Him as our Lord and Savior. Knowing the woman had no one to care for her, Jesus’ sovereignty provides healing for her family and future.

The people thought of Jesus as a prophet like Elijah or Elisha. They both raised children from the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:25-37). The people were correct in thinking that Jesus was a prophet, but He is much more—He is God Himself!

The whole world is dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1). Being dead in our sin, we couldn’t ask for help, but because of God’s great love and compassionate grace, He sent us Jesus to bring us back to life. The boy’s resurrection serves as a reminder of Jesus’ willingness to engage with humanity's suffering and offers hope for restoration in every aspect of life. Only God has sovereign touch!