The Son of the Widow of Naïm

Continuing with Fouard's Life of Christ:

II: The Son of the Widow of Naïm

Luke vii. 11-17.

Naïm (Nain) and other places referred to in the text.

Jesus lingered only a little while at Capharnaum; on the next day, — so runs the record of Saint Luke, —  He had travelled some nine leagues thence, and had come to the town of Naïm.  There was nothing unusual about this rapid journey; four, by starting in the evening, a boat could soon bring Him over to the southern shore of the lake, and leaving there about sunrise He would reach the place for which He was bound easily before nightfall.

Naïm of today, a poor little village, has preserved no tokens of her past, except her girdle of tombs; there is nothing now to justify her name, "The Beautiful," beside her site, upon the slope of a high hill, from which, in a glance, one can sweep the plain of Esdralon, and far away to Mount Tabor.

But in the days of the Lord she was glowing with life, and by her faith was made worthy of receiving the Good News, and beholding His wondrous works.

At that time, the most glorious period of His Ministry, the Master walked always attended by an eager array of faithful souls.  In this manner He was making the ascent of the steep pathway which still leads up to Naïm, when, from out the gates of the city, there came a funeral procession; it was advancing directly in the path of Jesus, moving toward a tomb which had been made without the walls.

There is no sadder sight than a burial train in the Orient; certain of the kindred bear the body, resting on a litter and swathed in perfumes and linen bands; at their head march the flute-players, who draw shrill, plaintive notes from their pipes; the mourners send up a chorus of cries and wails, now beating their breasts, now tossing their hands to heaven, or tearing their dishevelled hair.  And on this day their demonstration of woe must have been more wild and clamorous than ever, for they were seeking to give utterance to sorrows such as no tears can wash away.  The Gospel with one word makes us feel how great was that grief: "He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow." This weeping woman followed the body with a large company of the townsfolk.

Jesus could not look upon this piteous sight without being moved.

"Do not weep," He said to her; and forthwith, coming closer, He touched the bier.

"Young man, I say unto you, ‘Arise!’" J-J Tissot.

The bearers understood His gesture, and stood still.  The throng waited in suspense for what was about to happen; the flute-players and the wailing women were hushed and still; through this expectant silence they heard the voice of the Saviour,

"Young man, I say unto you, ‘Arise!’"

Instantly the dead sat up and began to speak.  And Jesus restored him to his mother.

In this deed, who could help recognizing the Prince of Life, handling at His sovereign pleasure the keys of the tomb?  Elias bringing back to life the son of the widow of Sarepta, Eliseus restoring her child to the weeping Sunamite woman, were evidently in everyone's mind.  But what a difference between Jesus, breaking the bonds of death by a word, and these Prophets, who must needs throw themselves upon the corpse again and again, while they revived it with their breath.  Here, instead of the prolonged and laborious efforts of a restricted power, there is the simple Authority of the mighty Master!  "They all were seized with fear, and glorified God, as they said, ;A great Prophet has visited His people!’"

As for the child thus called back to life, and his widowed mother, assuredly it was not fear that moved them, but indeed a living faith which well-nigh overwhelmed their hearts; for it was not Jesus’ custom to cure the body without renewing the soul; nor can we believe that He would have awaked the dead youth from his funeral coach, that so He might restore in him the life of the senses, without, at one and the same time, inspiring the breath of Immortality within his soul.

Totus tuus ego sum 

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam