Lent Sermon Series: “Jesus and The Crowds”

Isaiah 9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

It’s important to remember that the crowds who came to Jesus for healing and deliverance were at the end of their rope…feeling greatly discouraged and bordering on hopeless. “Does God care about my pain?” “If he cares, can He do anything about it?”

“Jesus Resurrects a Widow’s Son From the Dead at Nain” * Luke 7: 11-17

Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw [the widow], his heart went out to her (his heart overflowed with compassion) and he said, “Don’t cry.”

Out of compassion for the widow and in fulfillment of His mission, Jesus stops the funeral and performs the resurrection of this man. Jesus is basically saying: “Death does not have the final say… I do. Release him!”

When Jesus gives the son back to his mother alive… it’s a restoration of hope. He’s really saving 2 lives in their culture where widows were so dependent on their family members.

Luke 7:16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet  has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”

Luke 7:22 “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

“Hope of the World” by: Hillsong The hope of the world Lifted on high Calling us home with arms out wide To know You forever To love You forever You are our everything