June 22

PART II.—Luke 7:12.

WHEN Jesus beheld the melancholy procession, and saw the deeply afflicted mother, he had compassion on her. The scene affected his tender heart. He perceived not only the external evidence of sorrow in her countenance, but he also knew the depth of anguish with which her soul was now afflicted. We do not wonder that Christ's compassionate soul was moved; for it was compassion that brought him from heaven, and that characterized all he said and effected on earth; and it is compassion which now distinguishes his mediatorial work in glory. Jesus therefore said to the woman, "Weep not:" then he touched the bier, and arrested it in its course. No doubt universal amazement would now seize the astonished multitude. Then, with his almighty voice, he spake, and said, "Young man, I say unto thee, Arise." The voice reached the regions of death; the young man heard and felt its omnific power; the spirit resumed its habitation; the heart began to heave, and warm, and dilate; the blood circulated, the eyes opened, and he sat up, and spake to those around him: and now the miracle is concluded by Jesus giving him back to his mother. He might have employed him in his service—made an apostle or evangelist of him sent him forth as a preacher from the dead; but his mother had need of him; he was given back to her, that he might be her solace in old age: and as compassion to her arrested the Saviour, and commenced the miracle, so now compassion gave the last finishing-stroke to this splendid and divine scene. In this miracle we have a striking proof of Christ's power and Godhead. What an illustration of his being truly The Resurrection and the Life!—what a solid basis is laid for believing hope, as to the great and final resurrection! Happy are all they who are interested in the saving compassion of the Son of God.