This story obviously shows us the dead-raising power a touch from Jesus has. That is what caused the crowd that watched to call him a mighty prophet and praise God in verse 16. But we are missing a crucial aspect of his character if we think that this miracle was only to show that power.

We learn from this account what the compassionate touch of our Lord can do. When Jesus saw the widow, the word says his heart overflowed with compassion. Overflowed. Not a little thought of “oh how sad” or a comment of “I’ll pray for you” — no, this was a compassion so deep that it moved him into action. He pushed through the crowds, to this woman that didn’t know him and screamed “don’t cry!” Little did she know what this man was about to do. The compassion he overflowed with was for her, fulfilling the prophecies spoken about him for centuries. (“Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.” ‭‭Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭19‬-‭20‬).

Verse 15 says Jesus gave the boy back to his mother. Not only was the son’s heart beating again, but the mother’s heart was personally touched by the Savior. Jesus showed his supernatural love and care for this women while demonstrating his resurrection power to the crowd. His touch brings us new life. It restores what looks to be completely gone. It even overcomes death. And it reaches the deepest depths of our hearts. He touches grief and gives us joy. He touches mourning and gives us dancing. He touches heartache and gives us healing. He touches chaos and gives us peace. 

We have a Savior who is compassionate towards us. No matter what we are suffering through, he is faithful to us, there with unfailing love at the right hand of Yahweh interceding on our behalf. His compassion is true and holy. It’s enough to get you through, just like it was enough for this unnamed widow’s story to change. Her life is no longer marked by only devastation. It is now a story of how great our Lord is. It is now proof of his miracle working power. It is now spoken two thousand years later as a testimony of how far he will go to heal a mother’s heart. That’s what his touch can do. 

   

Querido Padre Celestial,

Thank You for Your unfailing compassion. Thank You that Your touch still heals, restores, and brings new life today just as it did in that small village long ago. You see our pain, You feel our sorrow, and You are moved with compassion on our behalf. Touch the places in me that feel dead, the areas I’ve given up on, and the grief I carry in silence. Revive what only You can revive, and help me to trust in the depth of Your love and power. May my life, too, be a testimony of what Your touch can do. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

Today, bring one area of your life, whether it’s grief, disappointment, or even a forgotten dream, before the Lord in honest prayer. Ask Him to touch it with His compassion. Then look for someone around you who may be suffering silently, and extend a touch of compassion to them, just as Jesus did. One small act of kindness can be the beginning of someone else’s miracle.