Jesus' Will - To Help Widows

Believer, have you taken courage? Are you taking courage in the Will of the Lord for you? Regardless of who you are, male or female, as long as sin, sorrow, despair, or hopelessness, any one of these dwells with you and you become blind to Jesus, note again. As He saw that woman in her dark distress, He will see you also. Do not say that you are a man, not a woman, and since this meeting with Jesus is all about a woman, therefore it does not apply to you. Please don’t ever think such erroneous thoughts. Jesus is not about male or female, Jew or Gentile, or any such. His Will is all about helping anyone in need who accepts Him.  

Having seen that our Lord’s Will is to see people, even when they do not see Him, and having been strongly encouraged by this knowledge of truth, we look with added interest into the text for the week.

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, Do not weep. Luke 7: 13

What are we receiving today?

Jesus saw a woman who was a widow. Widows are spoken of most dearly throughout the Scriptures as people on whom God gives added attention and care. God is very caring and mindful of widows who are poor. The Word of the LORD came to Zechariah telling him many things to tell God’s people. Among His Words was this command. Do not oppress the widow. Zechariah 7: 10a. Is this not given example in Jesus in the fullness of meaning? Jesus saw a widow and did not even become a part of anything that would continue to be oppressive to her.

Think of it! This woman is a stranger to Jesus, for He is simply passing through the town where she lives. He knows nothing about her widowhood, but being a poor widow in itself, brings all kinds of oppression – fears, cares, emptiness, sorrow – and all the weighty things that oppress the spirit.

James, always clear, open and succinct in his admonitions and exhortations, pronounces this most emphatically. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this; to visit orphans and widows in their trouble. James 1: 27a. Has not Jesus shown us and worked this out for us in this widow? Are we not witnessing the pure, undefiled holiness before God and the Father, as Jesus visits her? Think of it! Does not Jesus visit her with His Person, pity, power and provision in her trouble?    

However, there is a stern warning from Paul, to all widows, whom he describes as those who are not really and truly widows, based on their lifestyles. Honor widows who are really widows. 1 Timothy 5: 3. Then he goes on to say this. Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 1 Timothy 5: 5 – 6. 

The woman whom Jesus saw is really and truly a widow, for she is all alone. Doesn’t this simply buoy you, on the rough seas of true widowhood, when at times you are truly alone and in desperate need? I know that this word speaks of a widow, but when we look with spiritual eyes, we see all genders as widows. You are a widow, I am a widow, and the Church is a widow, when Jesus is dead to you, to me, and to her.

Loving Jesus, just as You never passed by that widow, as it was Your expressed Will to change her life completely, our faith, though not as strong as it should be, still looks to Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your steadfast, seeking Love.

Thank You for Your transcending grace that sees us widows, in our mortal distress and sorrow. You see and never turn away. You see and come alongside us. All blessing and honour to You, Holy Lord. Amen!