God hath visited his people

The statement made in verse 16, ‘God hath visited his people’, is certainly borne out by the events in today’s passage. In the healing of the centurion’s servant, vv. 1-10, we see how the Lord can heal a diseased man, without even having to be in the same place. Then He proceeds to raise a dead man (the son of the widow in Nain), vv. 11-17. After that, He can help a discouraged man (John the Baptist), vv. 18-23.

We can profit by pondering the words of the Lord Jesus in this section. Both the centurion and John the Baptist receive words of commendation: ‘I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel’, v. 9, and ‘Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist’, v. 28. In verse 13 are words of compassion, ‘Weep not’. The Lord sees the widow in all her need and distress, and gives her the words she needs. Words of command quickly follow in verse 14: ‘Young man, I say unto thee, Arise’. It is a command which is immediately obeyed by the dead man, with much resultant joy. Then His message to John, vv. 22, 23, has words of confirmation. John has sent two of his disciples to the Lord. In His response, the Lord gives John’s disciples evidence that He is the fulfiller of the messianic promises, so John can have every confidence that Jesus is indeed ‘he that should come’, v. 19.

At the end we see words of comparison, v. 28: ‘he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than [John the Baptist]’. How? Not greater in character or work, but greater in privileges and blessings. These are amazing words, and we are included in them. We should appreciate and appropriate our blessings. When we face sorrows, we should (like the widow) give heed to His words of comfort. When discouraged (like John) we should ever be reminded of who He is and what He has done. We should seek to have faith (like the centurion) and show faithfulness (like John), which will receive His commendation. Also, our privileges are not confined to this life: if (like the young man) we die, we will hear His voice of command, ‘Arise’, when He returns. Then we will immediately rise, and experience a reunion of even greater joy than that at Nain! 1 Thess. 4. 13-18.