How Do You See God?

"Soon afterward Jesus went with His disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed Him. A funeral procession was coming out as He approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart overflowed with compassion. 'Don’t cry!' He said. Then He walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. 'Young man,' He said, 'I tell you, get up.' Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother." Luke 7:11-15 NLT

This story really touches my heart. It speaks to me of God's heart toward us. This poor widow had not only lost her husband, now she had lost her son. Her only son. She was in dire straights. There were no welfare or social service programs back in Jesus' day. The widow would be at the mercy of those around her. She might have to beg. She could be swindled or taken advantage of. She was heart broken.

Enter Jesus. He surveys the scene. He realizes the widow's situation. His heart is overcome with compassion. He touches her dead son. There were no coffins. That is how the translators rendered the text. In fact, the boy's body was laying on a stretcher. Jesus now, according to the Jewish law, becomes unclean by touching a dead person. He doesn't seem to mind. With the authority only He has, Jesus raises the boy to life!

How do you see God? Is He waiting to get you? Is He disappointed with you? Does He barely tolerate you? I think that we misunderstand God. He is love. His desire is only for our very best. We don't know anything more about this widow and her son. They may or may not have become followers of Jesus. We just don't know. And it doesn't seem to make a difference to Jesus. His love for the mother and her son was unconditional. No strings attached.

Please understand, God loves you. He delights in you. His desire is to spend eternity with you. So, how do you see God?