August 7 Daily Devotional

Matthew 8; Luke 7–8

Not far from Nazareth is the city of Nain. Here lived a woman who was a widow. She had one child, an only son whom she loved dearly. No doubt she looked at him proudly and thought the time would come that he would be able to take care of her needs. But a great affliction came upon the quiet home. One day the young man died and preparations were made for the funeral. It was a sad occasion when the body, stretched on a bier, was carried out. Many relatives and friends were seen in the procession slowly moving toward the graveyard.

At the gate of the city they met Jesus and a large group of people. When Jesus saw the grief-stricken widow, compassion filled his heart. He said unto her, “Weep not.” Then he came near to the bier, and they that bore stood still, as he touched it. The people were astonished, when he spoke to the lifeless body, saying, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up and began to speak: and he delivered him to his mother.” Thus her mourning was changed into rejoicing. And the people glorified God, saying, “A great prophet is arisen among us: and that God hath visited his people.”

“Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, He gave command to depart unto the other side. And a certain scribe came and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”

“Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed, he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? … And the men marveled, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and the waters, and they obey him.”