“Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.” Luke 7:11-17

“Get Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed”

In the face of a wailing boy or girl, or encountering a grumpy co-worker, people might say that their child or co-worker got up on the wrong side of the bed. This is one of those phrases that seems really odd at first glance. How can there be a right and a wrong side of a bed — unless we are quite superstitious. The origins of this odd saying may date back all the way to ancient Rome when it was considered bad luck to get out of bed on the left side, as it might portend a bad day. It is also written that anything associated with the left (no political jokes here) was considered sinister. Innkeepers, therefore, made sure that the left side of a bed was pushed against the wall to ward off any evil.

The son of the widow from Nain certainly got up on the wrong side of the bed. In fact, he didn’t get up at all — because he was dead. This is a tragic story, for his mother was a widow. This meant her only source of income, of hope in fact, came in the presence of her son. If he dies, she is as good as dead. This fact alone makes this miracle that much more wonderful. Jesus is resurrecting two people — not just one.

There are many days we may feel as if we have gotten up on the wrong side of life. There are and will be even more days where we will feel as if someone has it out for us. My friends, though life is always handing us situations where we believe we just cannot handle another death, or loss, or set-back — in fact, when we place our trust in Jesus Christ, he promises not only to be there, he also promises to help us find the solutions so that we do not have to endure. (1 Cor. 10:13)

When I feel at my lowest, I like to remember Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge the Lord, and G-d will make straight your paths”

Pastor Dave