Christ Interrupts a Funeral

One word from Jesus, and death lets go.

Hymn

LSB 578, "Thy Strong Word," stanza 6

God the Father, light-creator, To Thee laud and honor be. To Thee, Light of Light begotten, Praise be sung eternally. Holy Spirit, light-revealer, Glory, glory be to Thee. Mortals, angels, now and ever Praise the holy Trinity!

From the Small Catechism

The Second Article. "The third day He rose again from the dead."

The Third Article. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean? I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.

The Text

11 Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 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. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" 17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. (ESV)

The Claim

State it in one sentence. What is the biggest thing this account claims about Jesus?

Is Death Natural?

Argue both sides before you look anything up. Then find what each passage calls death.

| Passage | Death is called | |---|---| | Genesis 2:17 | | | Romans 6:23 | | | 1 Corinthians 15:26 | |

If death were a natural and good part of creation, what would God be doing on the last day when He destroys it?

Prophet or God?

Read 1 Kings 17:20-22. Elijah raises a widow's only son too.

What does Elijah do first? _______________________________

What does Jesus do first? _______________________________

In verse 16 the crowd says two things. Write both.

1. _______________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________

Which one is the whole truth, and how do you know?

Memory Work

"FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE FREE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD."

Romans 6:23 (ESV)

"THE LAST ENEMY TO BE DESTROYED IS DEATH."

1 Corinthians 15:26 (ESV)

Closing

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.