FEAR AND PRAISE

Across the valley of Jezreel, the small village of Nain can be seen from the hilltop at the edge of Nazareth—likely the one from which the people of Nazareth tried to throw Jesus down a cliff when they became infuriated at His words in the synagogue (see Luke 4:28–30). Today, Nain is an Arab village of about 2,000 people. Despite its proximity to Nazareth, Capernaum, and the other towns and villages of Galilee, Nain’s only mention in the Bible story is the miracle Jesus performed there. It was a worthwhile way to be put on the map.

Jesus was traveling with His disciples and a large group of followers and onlookers, both the committed and the curious. As they neared the village, this group was met by a group with a very different tone. A widow was burying her only son, and the people of her village had gathered to mourn. Jesus noticed, stopped, and responded with compassion. “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry’ ” (Luke 7:13).

He interrupted the funeral procession and brought the young man to life, giving him back to his mother. Jesus put this village on the map, and the story of the day Jesus visited Nain is retold across the generations. Of course, this also caught the attention of the large crowd that was traveling with Jesus. “Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God. . . . God has visited his people today” (Luke 7:16, NLT). The people responded with equally appropriate fear and praise. Importantly, this story would also be part of Jesus’ answer to the disciples of John the Baptist, whom John had sent to check on whether Jesus really was who John thought He was (see Luke 7:18–23). It also put Jesus on the map as the news of this miracle spread “throughout Judea and the surrounding country” (see Luke 7:17).