The Women Who Met JesusSample

Will Jesus Provide For Me?

The Bible tells us that death is unnatural. It was not God’s intention that humans would live out their lives and die. But due to Adam’s sin, death entered into the world (Romans 5:12), and introduced all kinds of horror and despair into existence. As is the case of the widow in today’s reading, death meant that parents could experience the heartbreaking reality of outliving their children.

Jesus comes across a funeral procession. The fact that the child was in an open coffin and not wrapped in burial clothes indicates that they were poor. Not only was the woman mourning the loss of her son, but also her complete financial security and status in the community.

Luke tells us that Jesus was moved with compassion toward the woman. After telling her not to cry, He raised the young man from the dead. He not only returned this woman’s son to her, but also her hope for a future.

The very being that could so confidently walk up to a casket and tell a dead child, “I say to you, get up” is the same one who tells His followers, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). When someone this powerful (and compassionate) tells us not to be anxious, it is important to pay attention.

He is not saying that we’ll never go through difficult and trying situations. He is not even saying that we will never find ourselves at the end of our rope. What He is saying is that we can trust the One, who raises the dead and calms storms, to be with us in the middle of our most challenging moments.

Reflection: What anxieties have you experienced? How has the Lord met you in those anxious times? Who do you know who is currently struggling? As a caring friend, would you consider reaching out to this person?