HOPE RESURRECTED: From the depths of our pain, Jesus brings forth hope - Part 2
Autor: EBD Life Matters | Publicado: 2012-07-12T08:40:00-07:00




A VETERAN OF PAIN



No matter how much we prefer not to think about suffering or reflect on life’s trials, tragedy is unavoidable, as we see throughout Scripture.&nbsp; As C. S. Lewis reminds us, “We were promised sufferings.&nbsp; They were part of the program.&nbsp; We were even told, ‘Blessed are they that mourn.’” Still, suffering isn’t something we look forward to or enjoy.



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This week we’ll be studying the second part of HOPE RESURRECTED – A Veteran of pain, and we’ll reading Luke 7:11-15.&nbsp; If you don’t have a bible in English go to&nbsp;http://www.biblegateway.com/, a good version for this is the New International Reader's Version.




&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In this story we see a woman who was a veteran of pain.&nbsp; She’d lost her husband, and then her son died too.&nbsp; Without a husband or a son to take care of her, she would have no way of making a living.&nbsp; Luke gave another account of a miracle that demonstrated Jesus’ authority.&nbsp; In this miracle, however, Jesus showed that He had power over death as well as sickness.



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Along with making note of Jesus’ power and authority, Luke underscored His compassion for the widow. Take a deeper look under Compassion:

Compassion

The Greek Word for Compassion comes from a term that refers to the inward parts of a person.

It suggests the center of personal feelings and deep emotions. 

The term gives way to an expression like “a gut feeling” to describe a sense of loving concern for someone in need. The Greeks used the term in the context of courage.

First-century Christians used it to describe a foundational character trait of the Lord and the believers who devoted themselves to Him.

Greek has no stronger expression for sympathy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Jesus’ heart went out to her as He watched her suffer under the strain of uncontrollable sorrow. He felt the pain that gripped her, and He decided to do something about it.&nbsp; The widow didn’t ask for Jesus’ help. As He was passing by, He responded to the compassion He felt for her by raising her son from the dead.&nbsp; Now I have a question for you:&nbsp; How can we strengthen our faith in an unseen God, who can do the impossible in difficult circumstances? Post a comment – share your thoughts with us!



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the midst of her tragedy, the widow experienced Jesus’ power to transform sorrow into hope. What gives you hope today?



When Jesus is around, hope shows up in the most unexpected places. I’ve never been at a funeral that ended in a resurrection, but I’ve witnessed Jesus’ power to bring hope to the hopeless.&nbsp; I don’t know about you but I take great comfort in knowing that my Savior, the Author of creation, has compassion on me.&nbsp; In His compassion, He was moved to die for my sins, but through that act, He proved He has power over death.&nbsp; He has promised that a time is coming when He’ll make all things right again, and that’s the foundation of our hope!



Pray this prayer through the week:&nbsp; 



Father God, cause me to have deep compassion for others.&nbsp; Show me how to minister as only You know how.&nbsp; Give me a servant’s heart rather than a heart that seeks to be served, keep score, or find faults.&nbsp; Show me what Christian compassion looks like.&nbsp; I choose not to be bitter or hold back emotionally.&nbsp; I choose to avoid the things that cause distraction and pain.&nbsp; Help me to see things from a wider, deeper, and more meaningful perspective. Amen.



God bless you all



Have a wonderful week



Kaeyllane