“We learn from theses verses how deep is the compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ’s heart.
We see this beautifully brought out in His behavior at this funeral in Nain. (Luke 7:11-17) He meets the mournful procession, accompanying the young man to his grave, and is moved with compassion at the sight.
He waits not to be applied to for help. His help appears to have been neither asked for nor expected.
He saw the weeping mother, and knew well what her feelings must have been, for He had been born of a woman Himself.
At once He addressed her with words alike startling and touching: He ‘said unto her, Weep not.’ (Luke 7:13)
A few more seconds, and the meaning of His words became plain. The widow’s son was restored to her alive.
Her darkness was turned into light, and her sorrow into joy.
Our Lord Jesus Christ never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
His heart is still as compassionate as when He was upon earth. His sympathy with sufferers is still as strong.
Let us bear this in mind, and take comfort in it. There is no friend or comforter who can be compared to Christ.
In all our days of darkness, which must needs be many, let us first turn for consolation to Jesus the Son of God.
He will never fail us, never disappoint us, never refuse to take interest in our sorrows.
He lives, who made the widow’s heart sing for joy in the gate of Nain.
He lives, to receive all laboring and heavy-laden ones, if they will only come to Him by faith.
He lives, to heal the broken-hearted, and be a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
And He lives to do greater things than these one day.
He lives to come again to His people, that they may weep no more at all, and that all tears may be wiped from their eyes.”
–J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Luke (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1858/2012), 1: 161-162. Ryle is commenting on Luke 7:11-17.
