To have compassion is to feel an emotion that combines love and pity. This story is about the compassion of Jesus Christ, and when and where it is seen.

One day the Savior was approaching a beautiful mountain village called Nain. A large crowd accompanied Him including many of His disciples. As they neared, they came upon a funeral procession. Many of the people filed in mourning with the grieving mother. The man being buried was her only son, and she tragically was a widow.

Jesus saw her, and He perceived the situation immediately. As always, concerned with the plight of the widow, the Savior was filled with tender compassion for her and He said, “… Weep not.” (Luke 7:13)

He turned from her and “…touched the bier…that bare…[her son’s body].” (Luke 7:14) Those who carried him stopped when he did this. Jesus then shocked them when He said, “…Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” (Luke 7:14)

The dead man sat up and began to speak. Luke then records these meaningful words “…And [Jesus] he delivered him to his mother.” (Luke 7:15) Can you imagine? What a gift! What a gift of joy He gave that woman!

Well, a worshipful reverence came upon the people and they glorified God and proclaimed that “…God hath visited his people.”

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Now step back from the story for just a moment. Why did Jesus do this? Did the Savior perform such miracles every time there was a need? No, He didn’t. So why was the lost son returned to the widow? – Well, simply because the Savior had compassion on her – He felt sorry for her, and giving her back her son was the greatest eternal good at that moment.

It was the Widow of Nain who was singled out and so blessed. We do not know all the reasons why this story has ended so happily when others have not. In this life maybe we’ll never know. But know this, and this is true, “[God] He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world...” He always does the greatest good. He is always just.

Some of us don’t get the miracles we want. Does He care about us any less? –
Absolutely, not! His love and His compassion for us are perfect and ever present. The time will come when you and I will all see the salvation of the Lord, and “…confess before [Him] God that His [ways] judgments are just. But for now, let us be patient until we are perfected in Christ Jesus, and allowed to see as the Father does.