Basic Questions

1. Identify as completely as possible the person in need (e.g., age, ethnic origin, religion, gender, social status).
   The only son of a widow in Nain.

2. What was the immediate, obvious need?
   The widow's only son was dead.
   There were many needs - the widow's grief, the loss of livelyhood ...

3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing?
   The person in need? Others? Jesus?
   How was it expressed?
   Jesus - He came upon the funeral procession.

4. Describe the actions or process leading to the healing; that is, what was said (e.g., questions, requests, commands) and what was done (e.g., approaching, following, touching, publicly/privately), and by whom?
   Jesus came upon the funeral procession.
   He said to the widow, "Don't cry".
   He commanded the son, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"
   Jesus gave the young man back to his mother.

5. Did the person in need or someone else verbally express faith? Non-verbally? Describe how and by whom faith was in involved in this healing.
   Faith didn't seem to be expressed here. Jesus' compassion is present.

6. What were the evidences that the person was healed?
   The young man sat up and began to talk after Jesus "healed" him.

7. What were the reactions to the healing?
   People were filled with awe and praised God. They were convinced that Jesus was a great prophet.

8. What in this narrative led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need?
   Jesus' compassion/mercy.

Digging Deeper
Note: In this story it is important to remember and appreciate the nearly hopeless social and economic condition of a widow without a son in Israel at that time.

1. Where did this healing take place?
   In Nain, near Shunem.

2. Contemporary wisdom instructs us never to tell a grieving person not to cry because tears are necessary and cleansing. Is something more than advice involved here when Jesus says, "Don't cry," to the woman and, if so, what?
   Jesus is reaching out to her in compassion.

   Do you see any similarity between "don't cry" and "don't be afraid" which Jesus often says in other circumstances?
   Matthew 14:27     But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
   Matthew 17:6-7    When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid."
   Mark 5:35-36     While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

   Jesus seems to say "Don't be afraid" out of compassion too.

3. When Jesus approached and touched the coffin, Luke says that the pall bearers stopped and "stood still." Does this suggest anything we should do when we are in a group praying for someone's healing?
   We should "stand still" and listen for the Spirit's guidance.

4. The exclamation of the people in v16 recall the Old Testament prophets who disappeared from the scene in Israel 400 years earlier. Perhaps John the Baptist and Jesus were heralding another age of prophecy. Of what healings by the prophets does Jesus' restoration of the widow's son remind the people? (see 1 Kings 17:7-24 and 2 Kings 4:8-37)
   Elijah raised from the dead a widow's son at Zarephath and Elisha raised from the dead a widow's son at Shunem. This convinced the people that Elijah and Elisha were prophets/ men of God. It also hints at the eternal life to come through Jesus Christ.
   John 17:2-3     Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

   What does this suggest to you about God's power to heal in the Old Testament, the New Testament and the present-day church?
   Hebrews 13:8     Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

5. How did Jesus demonstrate His love? Read Weep With Those That Weep.
   Jesus understood the widow's pain and need. He knew what it meant for the widow to lose her only son. He had a special understanding of the loss of an only Son - his mother would lose her only son. He gave the son back to the widow out of love/compassion.

6. What lesson(s) have you learned about healing from this account?
   Jesus has power over death.
   Jesus took care of the "whole need".

   Faith doesn't always have to be present for Jesus to heal. Sometimes healing occurs because of Jesus' compassion/mercy.
   Psalm 86:15     But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
   Psalm 116:5     The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

   Jesus' heart went out to the widow - He "understands".
   Hebrews 4:14-16 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
   Romans 12:15     Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.