On the Death of a Loved One – What Does This Mean?

Dear saints, apart from the youngest among us today, we all know what it is like to lose someone near and dear. Some know it more than others. Fewer still know what it is to lose a child. Whatever we have or have not lost, we can all empathize with the widow women in our Old Testament and Gospel lessons this morning.

We first hear of the woman in Zarephath. She was introduced last week when Elijah encounters her gathering sticks to make a final fire and final loaf of bread for her and her son. There was a severe famine, and she was preparing their final meal. But Elijah tells her that her flour will not be spent; her oil will not run out until the rain again falls to the earth. After some time, her son falls ill and dies. She is angry at Elijah and accuses him of causing her son’s death.

Elijah takes the boy and cries out to God saying, “O Lord my God, let this child’s life come into him again.” He does this three times. On the third, the Lord answers Elijah’s prayers and restores the child’s life to him. The boy is brought back to his mother and she replies, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”

St. Luke reports that the only son of a widow had died. We only know he was a young man and had left his mother a childless widow. Such a report is tragic in our day, but in ancient times, it was especially burdensome on these women. It is no wonder there was a large crowd accompanying her outside the city gate to bury her son.

But before they can fulfill the task, they encounter Jesus and the crowds following him. Inexplicably to the funeral party, Jesus stops the procession. He tells the woman to end her weeping. And in what must have been a confusing moment for all, he touches the bier of the young man saying, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And he does. He sits up and speaks. We are not told, but I would imagine his mother might just be weeping tears of joy as our Lord gives her back her son.

The reaction of the people is not surprising. Fear seizes them and their response is to glorify God. They realize that Jesus acts with the power of God, but it does not seem that they realize that he is their God. Nonetheless, this miracle at Nain is reported in the region and the fame of Jesus expands.

These two miracles are gracious gifts to the women who receive them. Not only are their sons given back to them, but a desperate life as a childless widow is also spared. The graciousness of God is seen in not only the restoration of life but the comfort of these women’s physical affliction.

But what I want to focus on for the rest of our time this morning is how these young men are raised. Elijah lays on the boy and cries out to God. He cries out three times that God would give the boy life. And the boy’s mother tells Elijah she now knows he is a man of God and the words of the Lord are in his mouth. On the other hand, Jesus touches the bier simply commands the young man to rise. The crowd reacts by praising God. And rightly so! But then simply regards Jesus as a great prophet.

I can think of three other accounts of the dead being raised in the Old Testament: Elisha raises the Shunammite’s son by praying to the Lord. A dead man is hastily thrown in Elisha’s tomb and is raised by touching his bones. A valley of dry bones is raised when Ezekiel prophesies over them according to the word of God. In these accounts, the dead are raised not by the man, but by the power of God.

But that is not the case here. There is no petition to God to have mercy. No prayer or request for the miracle. Jesus uses his own power because he is the God Elijah, Elisha, and Ezekiel called upon. “Whoever can awaken a dead person by his own power must be the true God and eternal life himself.” [CFW Walther]

And this is a great comfort to Christians. For how great the power of the one for whom the might of death is weak and impotent. Our world is in turmoil. Christians feel pressure from all corners. There is surely some who fear that the enemies of the Lord and his church might prevail. But we should not have such worry. For Christ has protected his Bride and has promised that the gates of Hell shall not prevail. No matter what trials may come, he will rescue his people and restore us. He will cause his enemies to stumble.

But if you find yourself worried, return to Nain. Remember how the Lord plunders death and then rejoice that we have such a great and gracious Savior. A Savior who speaks and has it done, who commands and sees it stand fast. So, if you find yourself gripped by sin, if you lack comfort as you feel the iniquity you have done, return to Nain and find comfort. He who conquers, even reverses death, is also the Lord over sin. For death is the payment of sin and sin is the sting of death. So, hold fast to Jesus Christ, for in him you will find forgiveness of all your sins. In him, you find victory over all the foes of your soul. In him, you have grace, life, and salvation.

Those frightened of death; those who weep at the grave of your loved ones: hurry to Nain. The Lord Christ, who turned those tears of sorrow into tears of joy will also dry your tears. So miraculous is the power of Jesus that, like the widow who again embraced her son, you will also someday embrace your loved one who died in the faith. Morning comes when Christ says to all of his own, in a new heaven and on a new earth, “Weep not! I have ended all sorrow. I have conquered for you. Therefore, rejoice with me. You shall have no more separation; no more departure.”

Our Lord says, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” If worries about your final hours fill your mind, take heart. At those words, death departed, and life returned. So also has Christ destroyed your death and brought you life and immortality. Your Savior watches over you, so fall asleep in peace. Someday you will awaken. And on that day, there will be no more death, for the first death, so dreaded in our world, will be forever gone. Amen.

Rev. Brent Keller
Peace Lutheran Church
Alcester, SD