Luke 7:11–17

Be Still: Jesus, you see the pain I feel, and the pain of those I love. As I read today, help me sense you close in those dark places, and teach me how to be gentle with others who are hurting. Amen.

Read: Luke 7:11–17

When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, 'Do not cry.' (v13)

Encounter: From Sundays to Mondays – When Grief Walks Beside You

Jesus steps into a scene of deep heartbreak. A widow, who has already buried her husband, is now walking behind the coffin of her only son. A crowd surrounds her, but none of them can change what has happened. Into that slow, painful procession, Jesus brings something completely different. He sees her, feels her grief, and moves toward her with compassion and authority.

I know what it is like to walk through loss. My grandparents lived with me growing up. I lost my grandad at nine, my dad at eleven, and my nan at seventeen. Those years shaped me deeply, losing my two biggest male role models and a grandmother I loved. Later came other hard seasons: chronic fatigue with small kids, one of them later diagnosed with M.E., job losses, and eventually stepping down from leading the church. Even now, some memories feel surprisingly raw.

Because of that, I have learned to avoid easy answers and neat prayers. These days, I try simply to be present with people, to listen, and to pray gently. My aim is to bring people to Jesus, because he is the one who truly understands and the one who can bring healing to our minds, bodies and spirits. In this story, Jesus does what no one else can. He walks up to the funeral procession, touches the stretcher, and speaks life back into the young man. Not every loss in our lives is reversed, but this moment shows us what Jesus is like. He sees the grieving. He feels their pain. And he has the final word over death and despair.

Apply: What grief or disappointment are you carrying today? Imagine Jesus coming close, seeing you as you are, knowing your whole story. Let him into that pain, not for a quick fix, but for his presence and hope.

Devote: Lord Jesus, thank you that you feel the pain of those who hurt. Help me trust that you see us, you care, and you have the final say.