Lent Day 17: Widow of Nain

Pause

Today, be honest with God about the places in your life where you feel unseen, overlooked, or alone. Ask Him to show you how He is at work in those situations and lift your head so you can see Him.

Read & Journal

Read over Luke 7:11-17. Think through what you’ve read by answering these questions:

• What does Jesus’ interaction with the widow in this passage teach you about Jesus’ character? About His mission or purpose?

• How do you see Jesus entering into brokenness in this passage?

• As a widow whose only son had just died, this woman was in a hopeless situation. When have you experienced a season or situation that seemed hopeless? How did God display His compassion to you during that time?

Ponder

When her husband died, it was a devastating blow to the woman in today’s passage. With no real standing in society on her own, the woman would have depended on her husband to provide for her and their children. “At least I still have my son,” she may have whispered to herself as consolation in her loss.

But then the unthinkable happened. Her only son died, and with him, her hope for survival. With neither a husband or a son, the woman had no way to support herself. She would be dependent upon the charity of friends and family, and that was no guarantee. This was a disaster in every sense of the word. Emotionally distraught and recognizing the economic implications of her situation, the woman had more than enough reason to sob.

But Jesus had compassion on her. He walked into the darkest moment of her life, and He didn’t turn away. Scripture tells us that before He did anything to fix the problem, he truly saw the woman. He saw her distress, her need, her fear—and He responded with compassion. “Don’t cry,” He said gently.

In the darkest moments of our lives, it is easy to feel alone and unseen, to think that no one actually knows the depth of the grief, fear, doubt, despair, and distress we face. But we aren’t alone. In those dark, devastating moments, listen for the gentle voice of the Savior who daily bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19). Look for the ways He is showing compassion to you and trust that He knows—even better than you do—the details of the situation.

You are not alone, and you never have been. Jesus, who is not afraid to enter into the darkest moments of your life, wants to show you love and compassion.

Let Him.