And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto you, Arise. And he who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God has visited his people. And this rumor of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about.

The wondrous event described in these verses, is only recorded in Luke's Gospel. It is one of the three great instances of our Lord restoring a dead person to life — and, like the raising of Lazarus and the ruler's daughter, is rightly regarded as one of the greatest miracles which He wrought on earth. In all three cases, we see an exercise of divine power. In each we see an indisputable proof that the Prince of Peace is stronger than the king of terrors — and that though death, the last enemy, is mighty, he is not as mighty as the sinner's Friend!

We learn from these verses — what sorrow SIN has brought into the world.

Let us never forget this great truth. The world around us is full of sorrow. Sickness, and pain, and infirmity, and poverty, and labor, and trouble — abound on every side. From one end of the world to the other — the history of families is full of lamentation, and weeping, and mourning, and woe.

And whence does it all come? Sin is the fountain and root to which all must be traced! There would neither have been tears, nor tares, nor illness, nor deaths, nor funerals in the earth — if there had been no sin.

We must bear this sinful and sorrowful state of things patiently. We cannot alter it. We may thank God that there is a remedy in the Gospel — and that this present life is not all. But in the meantime, let us lay the blame at the right door — let us lay the blame on sin!

How much we ought to hate sin! Instead of loving it, cleaving to it, dallying with it, excusing it, playing with it — we ought to hate it with a deadly hatred! Sin is the great murderer, and thief, and pestilence, and nuisance of this world! Let us make no peace with it. Let us wage a ceaseless warfare against it. It is "the abominable thing which God hates." Happy is he who is of one mind with God, and can say, "I abhor that which is evil!" (Romans 12:9.)

We learn, secondly, from these verses — how deep is the COMPASSION of our Lord Jesus Christ's heart

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, and never refuse to take interest in our sorrows. He still lives — who made the widow's heart sing for joy in the gate of Nain. He still lives — to receive all laboring and heavy-laden ones, if they will only come to Him by faith. He still lives — to heal the broken-hearted, and be a Friend who sticks 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 forever wiped from their eyes!

We learn, lastly, from these verses — the almighty POWER of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us see in this mighty miracle a pledge of that solemn event, the general resurrection. That same Jesus who here raised one dead person — shall raise all mankind at the last day. "The hour comes in the which all who are in the grave shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; those who have done good — unto the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil — unto the resurrection of damnation!" (John 5:28, 29.) When the trumpet sounds and Christ commands — there can be no refusal or escape. All must appear before His judgment bar in their bodies. All shall be judged according to their works.

Let us see, furthermore, in this mighty miracle — a lively emblem of Christ's power to quicken the dead in sins.

Let us leave the passage with a solemn recollection of those things which are yet to happen at the last day. We read that "Fear seized them all!" at Nain, when the young man was raised. What then shall be the feelings of mankind when all the dead are raised at once?

The unconverted man may well fear that day! He is not prepared to meet God. But the true Christian has nothing to fear. He may lay himself down and sleep peacefully in his grave. In Christ He is complete and safe, and when he rises again — he shall see God's face in peace!