A Dead Man Raised to Life

Jesus next made His way to Nain, a village more than twenty miles from Capernaum. All along the way the people came, bringing their sick for healing, and always hoping that He would make Himself known as the King of Israel. A glad, expectant group followed Him up the rocky path toward the gate of the mountain village.HH 142.6

As they came near, they saw a funeral procession going out to the place of burial. On an open pallet in front was the body of the dead. Filling the air with their wailing cries, the mourners gathered to show sympathy for the bereaved.HH 142.7

The one who had died was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. The lonely mourner was following to the grave her only earthly support and comfort. “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her.” As she moved on blindly, weeping, He came close beside her and gently said, “Do not weep.”HH 142.8

“He came and touched the open coffin.” Contact with death could bring no defilement to Jesus. The bearers stood still and the mourners gathered, hoping against hope. Someone was here who had vanquished demons. Was death also subject to His power?HH 142.9

In a clear, authoritative voice, Jesus spoke the words, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” That Voice pierced the ears of the dead. The young man opened his eyes. Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and mother and son united in a long, joyful embrace. The crowd looked on in silence, as if they were in the very presence of God. Then they “glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen up among us’; and, ‘God has visited His people.’” The line of mourners returned to Nain as a triumphal procession.HH 142.10

Jesus, who stood beside the sorrowing mother at Nain, is touched with sympathy for our grief. His word is no less powerful now than when He spoke to the young man of Nain. See Matthew 28:18. To all who believe on Him, He is still a living Savior.HH 143.1

Jesus awakened this mother’s son to return to this earthly life, to endure its sorrows and to pass under the power of death again. But Jesus comforts our sorrow for the dead with a message of infinite hope: “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. ... And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Revelation 1:18.HH 143.2

Satan cannot hold one person in spiritual death who by faith receives Christ’s word of power. “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead.” Ephesians 5:14. The word of God that called the first man to life still gives life. Christ’s word, “Young man, I say to you, arise,” gave life to the youth of Nain. In the same way that word, “Arise from the dead,” is life to the one who receives it.HH 143.3

And “if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.” Romans 8:11; see 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. This is the word with which He tells us to comfort one another.HH 143.4