Luke 7: 11-17 Jesus = compassion = action. What about me?

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son

11Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. 12A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. 14Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” 15Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today.” 17And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside.

“His heart overflowed with compassion.” Jesus saw, felt and acted. It’s easy to say that, as God, Jesus knew all the nuances of the circumstance, and I agree that he did. We do not know all those nuances, but we do know Jesus. How many times will I see something very sad and either not have compassion, or not take action?

And why don’t I take action? Seriously, it is the question of the day. I know I feel Jesus pulling at my heart sometimes to say a word or do a deed and I do not do it. Why? Perhaps it is a question for the ages, but I’ve aged enough. I’ve seen enough good times and bad times. I’ve sat back and I’ve taken action. I’ve matured enough. It is time to be a disciple of action.

Holy Spirit set me on fire anew. Give me the courage to feel the pain of another, and to act as you inspire.