One day her husband got very sick. He stayed sick a long time. She tried everything she could to help him get well. The doctors did too.
But finally her husband died and went to heaven. His wife was now a widow. And his son was now an orphan. They were very sad he was gone.
She had a funeral for her husband. People cried. They were very sad for the new widow. She would have a hard time supporting herself and her son. But she did okay.
Life was hard for the widow and her son, mostly because they missed their husband and father very much. They had loved him very much and still did.
Then one day her son got very sick. He stayed sick a long time. She tried everything she could to help him get well. The doctors did too.
But finally her son died and went to heaven too. Now his mother was left alone in the world. She didn't think she could be strong in her sadness.
She planned a funeral for her son. People cried. His young friends cried. His mother cried. He was so young and they missed him so much.
Jesus had been in the town of Nain preaching. Now he was ready to leave. He decided to leave out the same gate as the funeral procession.
On the widow's way to bury her son out of town, Jesus met up with them. Jesus could read minds, just like God can. He knew the boy was the only son of a widow.
When Jesus saw the widow, his heart was sad and he said, "Please don't cry." Then he went over to where her son was lying and talked to him even though he had died.
"Young man, get up now," Jesus said to her son. So the boy did! He actually sat up and greeted everyone at his own funeral. He went over and hugged his surprised mother.
This was amazing. God can bring people back to life again. Jesus proved it that day. God can bring people back to life after they die to live with him in heaven if they like being around God.
God doesn't force us to like him. God doesn't force us to like being around him and worshipping him. But if you love God, he will be happy to share his home in heaven with you. And that's a promise!