Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Afterward he was on his way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. Just as he neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the town was also with her. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said, “Don’t weep.” Then he came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And he said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Then fear came over everyone, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity. Luke 7:11-17 CSB
How Can We Demonstrate the Love of Christ to the Vunerable?
Sunday as we continued the sermon series “Come and See: Encounters with Jesus,” we see another example from Jesus of how we are to minister to others. Throughout all these encounters we see Jesus inviting others to Come and see the truth found in Jesus. Jesus stops a funeral procession of a young man, whose mother is a widow. Her son has passed and now she is all alone in the world. She was grieving her son as they were preparing to bury him, but truthfully she was probably grieving so much more. She was also probably scared and worried since her husband and son were both gone. Jesus had different plans for the day.
Jesus knew the woman was vulnerable. Not only was she all alone with no help, protection, or means of surviving, but there were also social and spiritual implications for her as well. When she married, she would have been assigned to her husband’s family for financial protection. When her husband died her son would then be responsible for her care. Now that her son was dead she was at the end of her rope financially. Jesus understood and recognized the need for this vulnerable and grieving widow. Seeing and understanding a need that we can help meet should always spur us into action. Sunday Pastor Jim said, “What breaks your heart should always move you to action.” We see Jesus do this over and over again in his ministry here on earth.
Moved by compassion turned to action, Jesus does the one thing that changes everything for this grieving woman. He told the body lying in the coffin, “Young man, I tell you, get up!” He got up and Jesus led him to his mother. Those who witnessed the miracle were in awe and began glorifying God and reporting about him throughout Judea and the vicinity.
Jesus was the only one who could meet the needs of this grieving widow. In seven words Jesus took away her fear, vulnerability, isolation, financial insecurities, social issues, and hopelessness. What is your greatest need? What makes you feel vulnerable? Vulnerability can lead to fearful feelings and anxiety and so much more. These are all tangible feelings and though Jesus may not walk by and change everything physically with one sentence, he is always with us, he always sees us in our vulnerable moments, and he cares about everything that makes us feel insecure and fearful. He is the only one that can truly meet the deepest core needs of vulnerability. He offers peace and hope in place of our insecurities and fears.
How can we demonstrate the love of Christ to the most vulnerable among us?
We can demonstrate the love of Christ to the most vulnerable among us by moving into action in every way and opportunity we have. We can step in and help physically or financially. We can have coffee with a friend in a vulnerable situation or season of life. Just like Jesus, we should be moved into action when something breaks our hearts. Compassion should be turned to action every time we can. This is how we demonstrate the love of Christ to the vulnerable people around us every day. This is the Jesus way!
Where do you encounter the vulnerable in your world? How are you helping meet their needs? Are you pointing them to Jesus?
