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Paul reminds us that in our present suffering, we should also remember the
resurrection power of God. He writes, “We were so utterly burdened beyond our
strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed we felt as though we received the
sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises
the dead” (2 Cor 1:9). In your trials and in your weaknesses, cast yourself upon the
mercy of God, and plead for his strength and his power. Resurrection truth is truth not
only to die on, but also to live on.
One Greater Than Elijah Is Here
In Luke 7, we read of a fascinating story of Jesus, which has strong echoes of
this scene in Kings. Look at what Luke writes:
Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went
with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was
being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable
crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on
her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the
bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat
up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and
they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited
his people!” And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the
surrounding country.
(Luke 7:11-17 ESV)
Consider the similarities of this story:
• We have two widows, one in Zerephath one in Nain (25 miles from
Capernaum);
• Both widows are stricken with grief at the loss of their only son
• Both Elijah and Jesus perform an unclean act: Elijah lies on a dead body;
Jesus touches the coffin (mercy goes above sacrifice, Hos 6:6)
• Both witness their sons coming back to life
• Both receive their sons (the language in Luke 7:15 is the same as 1 Kings
17:23)
• People believe after the miracle (“A great prophet has arisen among us!” and
"God has visited us")
However, there is one great difference: Elijah cries out for God’s help in prayer,
stretching himself over the boy three times. Jesus just says the word, "Young man, I say
to you, 'arise'". Kent Hughes points out, “But when it came to resurrections, he [Jesus]