Such love transforms
Two hired mourners led the way. One played a dirge on his flute; the other wailed. The town rabbi came next, rehearsing to himself the kaddish, the graveside prayer. Two men followed close behind, bearing on a stretcher the body of a boy, only lately relieved from the fever that had stolen away his life. Beside the stretcher his mother blindly stumbled in inconsolable grief, guided only by occasional nudges from the stretcher. The townspeople were next, whispering to each other, "Could anything worse have happened to this poor widow? Her only son!" At first, no one noticed the Stranger. He had intercepted the procession. Boldly He stepped forward and blocked the widow's way. Surprised, she looked up, and instantly the Nazarene caught her tear-filled eyes in His gaze. "Don't be afraid," He said. Somehow she sensed that He felt her sorrow, not as a stranger, but as a kinsman. To the watching crowd, He made Himself unclean when He touched the stretcher, something only a close relative would do. Everyone froze, even the mourners fell silent. He said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!" Before anyone could scold or accuse, the boy sat up and rubbed his eyes, as if awakening from a nap. Who could keep from weeping for joy and praising God? The funeral procession became a triumphant parade, and Hephzibah's funeral dinner became a celebration banquet. Once more the Master had comforted the brokenhearted, resurrected the dead, and unexpectedly changed mourning into laughter. The good news is: He still brings celebration with Him wherever He goes. He wants to become your kinsman even now. Today His touch still means new life. Even the flutist changed his tune. You will too. |
| —Steve Singleton DeeperStudy.com |
Want to go deeper?The Greek verb haptō (with middle voice: "to touch") describes what Jesus does to reach out to the widow of Nain (Luke 7:14). If you look up "touch" in a concordance, you will discover that Jesus uses touch again and again to connect with people and express His love and concern for them (e.g., Matt. 8:3, 15; 9:29; 17:7; 20:34; Mark 7:33; 10:13; etc.). According to A. H. McNeile in his commentary on Matthew (103), "By touching the leper, the Lord allowed the ceremonial law of uncleanness to give way before the higher principle of love." He goes on to note that the patristic writers contrasted Jesus' touching the leper with Elisha's avoidance of touching Naaman (see 2 Kings 5:10; Origen's Commentary on John, Bk. 6, §374; John Chrysostom, Homilies on Gospel of Matthew, Hom. 25, §169). It is, perhaps, coincidence that this same verb haptō in the active voice means "to light, to set afire" (used this way in Acts 28:2). Yet it seems appropriate that this use contributes symbolism to the power of the compassionate touch. Relationships ice cold can melt with touch; your words, fitting as they are in themselves, can penetrate like the warmth from a fireplace, when accompanied by a gentle touch. How tragic that sexual perversity has rendered people, especially children, virtually untouchable. "To the pure all things are pure" (Titus 1:15), but to the jaded worldling, no touch is innocent. Only in extreme situations of joy or sorrow are exceptions permissible. We can only hope that perhaps this trend will someday reverse itself.
John Burns. The Miracle in a Daddy's Hug (2003). In this book for dads, you'll discover the miracle you give your children when you hug them. Your touch, words, time, love, and faith can enrich your relationship with your children for a lifetime.
This easy-to-read and practical book explores the miracle in a mother's hug, touch, presence, encouragement, influence, commitment, example, faith, and friendship. With these simple principles, any mother can nurture security in her child's heart and pass on the legacy of love for generations to come. Recommended for online reading: Tina Allen. "Peaceful Touch/Healthy Touch" (training for children ages 3 to 8, and their parents or teachers). |
Everything was arranged: once the funeral was over, all were to go to Hephzibah's house for the after-funeral dinner. It was the way things were done in Nain, typical of the customs followed by citizens of the Jewish towns of the Galilee.
