by Rich Carlson

            "Young man, I say to you, get up! "Luke 7:14 (NIV)

            When I visited Israel, we stopped at a rest area for lunch and a break from tour bus traveling. I was soaking in as much as I could of Biblical geography and history (I’m a very visual learner). Instead of eating, I went for a walk knowing that I could see Mt Tabor on one side (the place where history tells the story of Deborah rallying the Israelites, and tradition says the transfiguration of Jesus happened), and therefore believing that Jesus and His disciples had probably walked around here somewhere.

Our guide apparently liked to walk more than eat, too, so we met up across the road on a dusty path and I started questioning him about what else was around here. He pointed to a little town a kilometer or so in front of me and asked if I knew what town that was. What a dumb question. Of course I did not know—I’d never been here before! Maybe he thought I had learned my Biblical geography from books (I hadn’t). He said it was the city of Nain. From there I knew the "rest of the story!"

Twenty-two miles southwest of Capernaum, Jesus and His disciples had probably passed Mt. Tabor where He might have retold the story of Deborah and the armies of Israel. Now as they moved slowly through the arid desert land (without the air-conditioned rest stop we had) they came to the city of Nain—the same place I was looking at. And that is the setting for today’s entry.

This story is only found in the book of Luke. Jesus’ followers had apparently grown in number because Luke describes them as "the disciples" and a "crowd." Probably after healing "every disease and sickness," quite a few people were interested in Him and His works! If only they had been as interested in His words. More interested in the miracles than the message? Some things never change. But back to the story.

As Jesus’ followers tried to enter the gate, the traffic flow was against them as a funeral procession was exiting the city—mourners, a mother of only one child—and he was the dead man in the coffin! Here is the abbreviated version of what happened (Luke 7:13-15):

"The Lord saw her."

"His heart went out to her."

"He said, ‘Don’t cry.’"

"He touched the coffin" (an absolutely forbidden practice by Jews lest they be declared unclean).

"The dead man sat up and began to talk."

"Jesus gave him back to his mother."

             The people then rejoice and praise God because they have another prophet who is going to help Israel (verse 16). Now that seems noble on the surface, but as I understand the history and tradition of the Children of Israel, a prophet, among other things, was their rallying focus for defeating political enemies. And "helping Israel" meant doing great and even miraculous things so they could defeat their enemies. It was all about them hoarding power and becoming great. And now having a prophet again could help them defeat the Romans and reestablish their power as a nation again. Imagine having to battle earth’s enemies but having a prophet who could also raise your dead (i.e. soldiers killed in battle or great leaders who might be killed by the enemies!). It was a guaranteed win as far as they were concerned! It all sounded good, but not according to Jesus’ mission and dream for His people. It’s not about this world and my power; it’s about God’s mission and His willingness to demonstrate in my life His power and His purpose.

I’m happy for the mom who got her son back; but I’m sad for the people who didn’t see the bigger picture.

                Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. “God Is Faithful” is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.