Jesus, the Word, and the Power of God’s Timing

(Luke 7:11-15)

The story of the widow of Nain is used to illustrate the dynamic interplay of Jesus’ sovereign presence, His perfect timing, and the living, spoken word of God.

1. Jesus’ Uninvited, Transformative Presence

The narrative hinges on the unexpected arrival of Jesus: He “walked in” just as something dramatically final was occurring—the funeral procession for the only son of a widow.

• Context of Despair: A widow in that society was already facing extreme vulnerability. Her only son was her lifeline, her future, and her source of social identity. His death represented utter helplessness, abandonment, no hope, and no future. The procession was not just a sad journey, but the public declaration of a life utterly ruined.

• The Power of the Logos Incarnate: Jesus, the Logos (the eternal, embodied Word of God), arrived. His presence alone disrupted the finality of death. He wasn’t invited to the funeral; He didn’t receive a message. He simply intervened because He is the compassionate, sovereign Lord. His arrival turned a moment of inevitable decay into a moment of impossible life.

2. The Power of Perfect Timing: Kairos vs. Chronos

The miracle highlights the difference between two types of time:

• Chronological (Chronos): This is the ordinary, sequential flow of time—one second after the next. Chronos dictated that the son had died, the mourning had begun, and the moment for burial was now. According to chronos, hope was over.

• God’s Time (Kairos): This is the right time—a moment of divine opportunity, purposeful intervention, and fulfillment. Jesus came at the kairos time. He met death at its peak power (just before burial) to demonstrate His absolute supremacy over it. This timing ensures maximum impact and glory, proving that nothing is too late for God.

3. The Power of the Spoken Word: Rhema and Action

The intervention was initiated not by theology, but by compassion, and executed by authority:

• The Rhema Word: This is a specific, spoken word from God for a particular moment or person. It is the living, active application of God’s truth. Jesus’ first rhema word to the grieving mother was, “Do not weep.” This word was spoken to comfort, halt her despair, and prepare her heart for the impossible miracle. It was an instruction based on a coming action.

• The Ultimate Logos Purpose: Before speaking to the dead, Jesus performed a symbolic action: He touched the open coffin (an open wound/grief) of the dead man, stopping the procession. Touching a dead body rendered one ritually unclean, but Jesus’ holiness overrode the uncleanness of death. His authority paused the funeral.

• Restoration and Life: Jesus then speaks the authoritative rhema word to the deceased: “Young man, I say to you, arise.” The ultimate purpose of Jesus’ action here reveals the God’s purpose of life, which is restoration and life. The dead man sat up, demonstrating the ultimate victory of the Logos (Jesus) over the power of sin and death.

Conclusion:

The miracle at Nain is a microcosm of the Gospel. It shows that Jesus has both the compassion (Presence) to see our despair, the authority (Kairos) to arrive at our darkest hour, and the power (Rhema) to speak life into our most desperate and final situations, restoring us completely.