He Had Compassion (Luke 7:13)

 


Saturday, February 22, 2025


Psalm 118:1-18

Genesis 30:25-43

Luke 7:11-23


He Had Compassion (Luke 7:13)


The fact that Jesus knows how to speak strongly is a well-known fact. He has some very strong words that he speaks, for example, to those who came to try and trap him in his words. Hypocrites, vipers, and whitewashed tombs are some of his most famous. But look at today’s gospel passage, because we see another way in which he spoke strongly.


Seeing that which he came to destroy, that is, death, he stopped and had compassion. Surely the devil, rejoicing at the tragedy of a widow losing her only son, must have felt like he had just gotten a swift kick up the pants when he saw that Jesus stopped. But, notice this – it is not yet time for strong words. Jesus, turning to the mourning widow, is filled with compassion. “Do not weep”, he says – empty words when spoken to us by a fellow human, but this is no normal human. He is about to give her a good reason to stop weeping. When Jesus speaks words of comfort to us, we should not be afraid to take them to heart and inscribe them on our souls. He has the power of life and death, and it is his will that all those who love him rest in his love.


And so it is now that the time for strong words have come. “Young man, I say to you, arise” – these are the type of words that bring together compassion and strength. Jesus does not come and give us some pithy words of vapid encouragement; he speaks to us with compassion, and raises us from death to life. Be comforted, Christian, for your Lord looks upon you with compassion – and he follows it up with the strength of his life, given for you.


What is happening in your life that you need to hear words of compassion from Jesus? What is happening in your life that you need to hear words of strength from Jesus?


Lord of compassion and strength: you know exactly what we need, and what words we need to hear. Speak to us in the way that you know best, for you know us best.

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