The Grave Robber

“And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.”
(Luke 7:12-15)

                When someone mentions a grave robber, it usually doesn’t bring to mind any good thoughts.  I know it used to make my granny furious when she would go to put flowers on her son’s grave, only to come back days later and find them gone.  No one likes a grave robber, unless of course you’re talking about Jesus.  I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about it, but Jesus is the best grave robber of all.  He robbed three graves during his ministry and even one following His death!

                During His ministry, Jesus robbed the grave before burial (Jairus’ daughter) and once after a man’s burial (Lazarus).  Today’s verses are taken from the occasion when Jesus robbed a grave during burial.  Luke tells us about a poor widow in the city of Nain who lost her only son.  Can you imagine the devastation that poor woman must’ve felt?  Not only had she lost her husband, but now she’s lost her son!  During the funeral procession, the Bible says Jesus “had compassion on her.”

                He told the poor widow not to cry and instructed her son’s dead carcass to “arise.”  At that very moment, “he who was dead sat up and began to speak.”  And then there was the sweetest part of all – “He presented him to his mother.”  What an awesome Savior and an amazing Grave Robber!.  And yet, Christ’s greatest grave robbery took place in another man’s tomb when He rolled the stone away and presented Himself alive on the third day.  Our grave robbing Savior is alive and well today!