READING
“As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ ”
Luke 7.12–13
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REFLECTION
Whenever Jesus enters a situation, new possibilities abound. In this instance, a woman, not only emotionally (and in all probability economically) devastated by the death of her husband, suffers the terrible agony of losing her only son, and so, in effect, provision for her old age. Humanly, the
situation is hopeless.
But not for Jesus.
Resurrections or divine resuscitations are rare, though people do still give testimony of such occurrences.
What is less rare is God bringing hope into all kinds of situations. And often through his people. After all, whenever someone with Christ’s Spirit enters a situation, new possibilities abound. We not only have hope, we are called to carry that hope into our day out in the world ... as Valeri does.
Yes, we live in the certainty that in Christ there is life after death but we also know that he cares now, and may choose to act supernaturally, or indeed through our words and prayers and actions that carry the fragrance of beyond and bring hope to those around us. |
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RESPONSE
Is there someone you know who is in particular need of encouragement today? What small thing could you do for them? A text? A prayer? A card? A cup of coffee on their desk? A Kit Kat? A knock on their door? Five minutes of your time?
Pray for them, too. |
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| Visit the Church of England website to find #EverydayFaith prayers to start and end your day and short prayers in midst of everyday life. |
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Bible readings are taken from The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved.
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| Taken from Everyday Faith: Reflections and prayers to help you find and follow God in everyday life by Nick Shepherd, Mark Greene and Rachel Treweek, published by Church House Publishing and copyright © 2019 The Church of England. Includes stories kindly provided by the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC). All rights reserved. |
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