Read Luke 7:11-17.
Discover
1. What words describe the setting and the situation in this story?
2. How did Jesus respond?
3. What happened as a result?
Respond
This story demonstrates how Jesus responded to people in pain. The widow in this situation faced a life of destitution. Her husband had died and her only son had died. That meant she had no income and no protection. When Jesus saw her, his first response was compassion. His second response was words of comfort. His third response was action, raising the widow’s son back to life.
Jesus’ example is a powerful picture of how we can respond to those walking through pain. To have hearts overflowing with compassion, we have to spend time with the Father of compassion, letting His love fill us. Then we can speak words of comfort and take action. We may not be able to bring a dead person to life, but we can provide practical help to ease a burden.
Do you have a heart of compassion for people in pain? Do you speak words of comfort and take intentional action to ease their burden? Spend a few minutes asking God which of these three you need to grow in most. Then reach out in love.
Want to go deeper? Read this article for practical ways you can comfort and help a person who’s hurting.
*TPCC does not necessary endorse all “Want to go deeper” sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.