She may have thought the worst had already happened. Her husband had died. In the male-dominated Jewish culture, women were economically dependent upon male relatives.
At least she still had her son.
Then the unthinkable occurred: her only son also died. Would this double loss be her end?
WHO WAS SHE?
Who was this woman from Nain, Israel? We don’t know her name; Luke didn’t record it (Luke 7:11-17). While he told more stories about women than the other three gospel writers, he only relayed names of ten women in stories where they had parts to play. Ten others with roles remain unnamed.
Did these unnamed women not matter as much?
Do you not matter as much when you’re not acknowledged by name?
No and no. They mattered. You matter.
GRACE IN HER STORY
The widow in Luke 7 was on the road to her son’s funeral. Her final gift was to follow his dead body to its burial outside the city gates. Many were with her, helping her grieve and carry her son.
But unbeknownst to her, her crowd was about to intersect the path of another crowd, being led by Jesus.
She was about to discover resurrection. And it would be personal.
Jesus saw her. He talked to her. He told her not to cry. Even though she didn’t ask for His help (Jesus had yet to raise the dead—Jairus’s daughter and Lazarus were yet to come), He was about to give her a magnificent gift of grace anyway.
He touched the coffin. Everyone froze. Then talking directly to the dead son, Jesus said, “Wake up!”
And the dead man sat up and talked.
The crowd was awed. They’d personally witnessed a visit from God. They spread the news everywhere of their experience.
GRACE IN YOUR STORY
Even today, Jesus still sees. Even when you don’t know what to ask for, He knows exactly what you need.
It might not be a physical resurrection. That’s not always the best gift anyway.
On the day my mother died of Alzheimer’s, I wouldn’t have wanted her to return to that body. God blessed me instead with other gifts of grace—personalized for my family—to help us heal.
He graces you with resurrection in still other ways. Maybe with a restoration of hope. A friend to share your pain. An open door to something new.
While His salvation gift may look the same for all, His other gifts of grace are unique, personalized just for you.
- To fit your personality
- To favor your circumstances
- To fill your holes
GOD IS PERSONAL
So maybe it’s on purpose that the widow wasn’t named. Maybe you’re supposed to fill your own name in the blank. And watch for how God will intersect your path, showing up with monogrammed gifts just for you.
There’s nothing impersonal about God. If you think there is, you have the wrong view of Him.
He is good, He is generous, and He is personal.
He knows everyone by name and by need. Including you.
That’s a gift of grace worth celebrating.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:19-20
* * *
What gifts of grace have you received after a loss?
How has God blessed you in a unique way, perfect just for you? Please share in the comments.
Lisa,
This is a great post. My husbands sisters really struggle with losing their mother 3 years ago of cancer. Why they would not rejoice that God has her in his embrace and she is not suffering any more, I can not say. But I am sure He has something great in store for them in their lives. Maybe yet to be revealed! He is so good! I am going to tell them about this post and see if it doesn’t start the healing process. Thank you!
Sometimes our own pain is so intense for a season that we can’t see the gifts God is trying to give us. I pray your s-i-l’s will begin healing soon through the grace of Jesus. I’m sure they don’t want any bitter scars that grief can sometimes leave behind. I appreciate you sharing this so we can pray for their peace and joy to return!
Well done, my sweet friend. He is indeed personal…and that is exactly how He meets each of us. He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world…that indeed tells us of how personal He is. He created, He knows, He meets the needs in a very personal way. I love how in this section of Luke that Jesus was concerned for the mother, how He tells her not to cry and then how He just looks at her son and tells him to wake up! Thanks so much for sharing here today, Lisa. I’m headed to my mom’s today and get to see my brother there, as well. I am going knowing that He Who is meeting my personal needs goes with me! ;)
“Chosen in Him” – yes! It is indeed an act of personal kindness for Him to specifically choose each of us. I appreciate you pulling in Ephesians 1. (You’re not just memorizing; you’re absorbing and applying.)
I know you’ll be a blessing today to your mom and brother. And I pray the Lord will surprise you with His own blessings while you’re there. :)
Oh, man. What a great post, Lisa. Thank you for pointing out the different kinds of “resurrection.” God does provide, doesn’t He?
This is so important: “While His salvation gift may look the same for all, His other gifts of grace are unique, personalized just for you.”
Thanks, Caroline. It makes me feel special when He gives me a gift that I know is meant just for me. Although you and I are a lot alike, so He may give us duplicate gifts because we’d enjoy them the same. ha.
Awesome post, Lisa. Our names aren’t what we desire to bring glory to. Our calling is to bring our Father honor so that the people might come to know Him and His name. Humility is the door to the heart of our Father. Great reminder for me. Thanks.
I love in this story (and many others) that the people went away telling how awesome God was. That was the ultimate purpose of His miracles for them. And His miracles for us. When we see how great HE is, we understand we don’t have to rely on ME. Humility, yes! Thanks for pulling that in, Floyd.
A beautiful view of our personal God, Lisa. It’s so good to start my day with that quality of Him on my mind!
When I think about the billions of people that have been born in this world, and yet God sees each one as special, it blows my mind. He’s awesome to still care for us one by one!
Love this, Lisa. So glad HE knows our names and our own unique needs and is more than able to give His grace in just the way that would best accomplish His purpose.
Agree, Barbara. Can you imagine what a mess we’d make of things if WE were totally in charge? So thankful He knows all and He knows best.
Even today, Jesus still sees. Even when you don’t know what to ask for, He knows exactly what you need…..
Perfect! I have been struggling many years with prayers for my familys salvation. For their lives and paths. I don’t even know how to pray some days. Lisa, thank you for your insight and bringing this word of encouragement to us.
Learning more and more about His lavish love and grace.
Your comment brings to mind Rom 8:26: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
I’m thankful that we don’t have to know exactly which gifts of grace to ask for (even though I often *think* I do know which ones I need, ha).
Joining with you in prayer right now, Susan, for the salvation of your family and for the light I know you shine, pointing them to Jesus. May He keep blessing you with patience and perseverance to continue to pray for them. It’s a special gift you give them, whether or not they realize it.
Thank you Lisa, your standing in the gap prayers mean a great deal, I truly appreciates knowing your prayers are joined with mine in the heavenly places
It’s my honor, Susan. I know God listens and cares and answers.
God knows my name but often he just calls me daughter and that’s enough.
Beautiful, Beverley. To be called His daughter–can there be a more rich relationship? We are blessed.
we are – we just need to remember that we are x
Good point. If we don’t realize and remember that we’re daughters of the King, we miss out on the joy and peace inside that comes from knowing who we are because of Whose we are.
A beautiful piece in many ways, thank you. Your interpretations of “resurrection” and the “personal God” are very thought-provoking and helpful. I’ll be re-reading this more than once.
PL
I’ve had several “resurrections” in my own spiritual life; I’m thankful God continues to breathe fresh Spirit into us as we need it. He knows.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.