Dead Man Lives – Read Luke 7:11-17
Contemplation
We are walking towards a little town when we hear crying and sadness. People are coming towards us – all dressed for a funeral. A young man is being carried on a stretcher - dead. A woman is walking beside the stretcher and crying especially bitterly – she explains through sobs that she’s the mother of the man, and she has no-one to look after her since her husband is also dead. Jesus walks up to the little group, shaking. He puts his hand on the wooden stretcher and the procession stops – confused. Everyone is wondering what’s going on. Jesus says to the dead man, “Get up!” Everyone is puzzled – he’s dead! How can he get up? Still, there’s movement. His chest starts rising and falling, and I hear deep breathing – his breath warm on my hand. He sits up, wondering where he is. Jesus hands him to his mother. Nobody expected this! Everyone is panicking and amazed. “What has God done?” “Who is this man?” The news spreads everywhere.
Talk to Jesus and the people. Listen to the feelings around.
What do they make of this?
What about me? Have I ever felt dead inside, or felt that I wanted to be?
Can Jesus help?