What Hushed A Crowd

By Mary Vee
Luke 8

From Luke's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

Jesus left Capernaum. He didn't walk by himself. Oh no. He'd recently taught crowds on the mountain then healed the Centurion's servant. People wanted to see if he would do more.

Let's see, there was the twelve close disciples, many other disciples, and a large crowd who walked with him from Capernaum. They didn't know where he was headed, but they did know they wanted to see what might happen next.

Needless to say, the journey took longer than if one person had traveled the twenty plus miles southwest to a town called Nain.

As Jesus approached the city gate, a group of people carried out a person who had died. It was a man, the only son of a mother. The mother was also a widow, so she had no one to help for her.

A large crowd of people had followed the widow to support her in her grief. 

Jesus stopped and looked at the woman. He said to her, "Don't cry."

Jesus walked to the coffin and touched it. Those who carried the casket stood still.

Jesus said, "Young man, get up!" The casket swayed. 

Those carrying it set it on the ground. "It's moving!" They said. Their eyes widened.

The man sat up then began to speak. Everyone was shocked. The crowd following Jesus and the crowd following the widow had silenced. That was a lot of quiet people!

Jesus said to the young man, "Go. Help your mother."

He stood and walked to his mother then he gave her a hug. 

She hugged him and wept and kissed him. 

Just like that, the silent crowd became noisy. 

People cheered and shouted praises to God. 

They laughed.

They cried for joy.

They talked.

And even though everyone there saw what had happened, they retold the story as if the retelling confirmed what they saw.

YES! THE boy really came back to life after Jesus commanded him to.

The people then said, "A great prophet has appeared among us. God has come to help his people.

And just like that, the news of what happened spread through all of Judea and the surrounding country.

 Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.