In one of the more desperate scenes our town has witnessed in recent memory, an incredible drama unfolded before our eyes. Hundreds turned out to comfort the grieving widow as she prepared to lay her only son’s remains to rest in the town cemetery. It seemed the entire town was sympathizing with her loss and sense of profound destitution.
A neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that the woman was totally dependent on her only son and had no other source of income or support. After her husband’s death, her son had become the sole breadwinner. He was well-known in the town as a hard-working young man who took his responsibility to support his widowed mother very seriously.
The mood was sombre, and the grief was palpable. The funeral procession was heading outside the town. It had just passed through the gates. Heading down the hill, they were met by a group of travellers approaching the town. These unexpected visitors arrived announced.
What appeared to be a poorly timed visit and, yes, a distraction and disruption to the outpouring of grief, brought with it an unprecedented development.
A relatively young male peasant from the Galilee district, thought to be in his early 30’s, approached the funeral procession. A few others accompanied him, but he seemed to be leading them. Some feared the encounter would lead to a skirmish as the residents tried to protect the mourning widow’s privacy.
The young man approached the widow, and reliable sources have confirmed for this paper he said to the widow: “Do not cry.” Immediately, he touched the stretcher and the pallbearers stood still. Numerous witnesses reported the Galilean spoke to the deceased: “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 
A senior reporter for the Nain Daily Transcript, unable to capture the scene with a camera, affirmed under oath, the deceased man immediately sat up on the stretcher and started talking. The astonished crowd erupted into loud cheering, chanting a great prophet had arrived and “God has visited His people.”
Although no such ancient newspaper clipping exists, the fantastic drama is documented in the Word of God – the most reliable source of all. The compassionate Christ is no less able today to arrive at just the right time in our lives to comfort, console and to show compassion. He still says to grieving people today – whether it is over disappointment, death, devastation or disillusionment:
“Do not cry.” Luke 7:13
Did you notice He said ‘Don’t cry,” before she had any good reason not to cry? She only had His words – but not her son at that point. The glaring reality of the corpse was still before her eyes.
Is this encouragement somewhat idealistic and unrealistic? Do you think it is impossible to hear Him say today: “Do not cry?” Not at all! Countless believers in times of distress and despair have heard His voice speak to their deepest needs as they were reading through the Psalms or following their daily reading schedule for that day.
With your wet, tear-stained cheeks today – stop and hear Him whisper: “Do not cry.” Appreciate His sensitive heart. Understand that He is able to climb the hill to your Nain as you are heading down — just when you are sure it is all over and painfully certain that the situation will never be changed.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today,
Warmly in Christ
Peter Ramsay
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