Luke 7:11-17. The widows of Nain and Elijah’s time.

Jesus stopped everything he was doing and where he was going because he saw a widow weeping for her son, her only son, her only means of support. Not to say she was crying because she was alone now and had no income, no hope. I’m sure she loved her boy and missed him.

But Jesus, when he sees her, knows everything about her, knows her broken heart, her love for her son, her grief. But he also knows the dire straits now that she has to traverse without him. There were lots of other mothers mourning sons and daughters, but this one now was without hope to uphold her and family to help her through the days ahead. So Jesus stops his march and does what he can, provides for her, comforts her, raises her son. Answers her prayer even before she asks. She is his first priority. Before arriving on time at his destination. Before hanging out with his friends. Before supper.

And so the Bible is filled with injunctions to the faithful and the followers, love as I have loved you. Care for the widows and the orphans, those without hope and help and resources. See them. Make them your priority too.

I would guess that includes immigrants, strangers, the poor, all those who are alone, except for the Christ who loves them and those who are his hands and feet here near by and far away. He is here for them and his Body is to be too.

But do we even see? They are here. We drive by them on the street corner, hide them away in shelters, deport them, send them sympathy cards and then forget them in assisted living or memory care. Too busy. On our way to home, to church, to work and the bank, to kids’ games. Or to a political rally. Did the disciples see? Do we?

The miracle is that Jesus does.

And so keep your eyes open, Tim. That’s the biggest message here for me today.

The first miracle in Nain the day the widow’s son was raised was that Jesus was paying attention. Jesus looked through all that mass of people, across the town square, across the universe, and he saw this woman weeping. He was paying attention.

It’s a miracle when I am paying attention too. I am so wrapped up in my own life, my own needs, my own prayers. Hurrying through my day to supper.

Lord, help me to stop and pay attention too, not to my stuff but to yours.

2025/09/16 — Image generated with ChatGPT (OpenAI). Words by Tim Booth.