Luke 7:11 The next day Yeshua, accompanied by his talmidim and a large crowd, went to a town called Na‘im. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead man was being carried out for burial. His mother was a widow, this had been her only son, and a sizeable crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he felt compassion for her and said to her, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then he came close and touched the coffin, and the pallbearers halted. He said, “Young man, I say to you: get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Yeshua gave him to his mother.[Luke 7:15 1 Kings 17:23] 16 They were all filled with awe and gave glory to God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us,” and, “God has come to help his people.” 17 This report about him spread throughout all Y’hudah and the surrounding countryside.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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What did he say? What were his first words upon his resurrected birth from death to life? Was it, "Water please;" or, "Where am I?" or, "I have seen the light;" or, "Mom?" or, "I believe!" We do not know the words he uttered as he emerged from death's slumber. The narrator of Luke's Gospel only writes, "The dead man sat up and began to speak." What he spoke remains a mystery. As you read this story, what words do you hear the dead man say by way of your holy imagination?
A more poignant question for us all: What do we say when we hear the proclamation that Jesus defeats death and overturns the grave by rising from the tomb and breathing Easter life? I suppose it depends. If we are honest, at times we say things like, "Nonsense;" "I don't believe it;" "You lie." And at other times? Maybe we join with the crowd in Luke's Gospel, "God has looked favorably on his people!" Or perhaps we pick up a mantra from other disciples, "I believe. Lord, help my unbelief." Whatever we say, the only word that truly matters belongs to Jesus and Jesus alone. And for that we are free to say, "Thank you, Jesus. Thank you."
Holy Word, you shatter the still silence of death by speaking us into your Easter life. What more is there to say? Thank you, Jesus, thank you. Amen.
Justin Lind-Ayres
Augsburg College Campus Ministry, Minneapolis
Master of Divinity, 2003
Luke 7:11 Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him.
12 As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town.
13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep."
14 Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, rise!"
15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
16 Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!"
17 This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country. [New Revised Standard Version]
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