... (Jesus said) "Young man, I say to you, get up!" Luke 7:14b

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.

In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour



A dead man came alive by the power of Jesus.

The text for today's devotion explains that the raising of this young man was one of the great miracles Jesus Christ did. Scripture records Him raising three people from the dead: a 12-year-old girl, Lazarus, and this young man from the city of Nain.

The third miracle was different from the first two. Jesus had received messages the girl and Lazarus were sick. He had also been asked to come and heal them. Upon reaching their homes, Jesus raised them from the dead.

This story is different because the young man of Nain was already dead when Jesus unexpectedly came upon him. Jesus saw his dead body being carried out of the city. He also knew the lad's mother was a widow, and now a childless mother.

Seeing this, Jesus had compassion on her.

Jesus wanted to show His compassion and do something for the woman. He did. He did something only God's Son could do. He gave a command to the dead body: "Young man, I say to you, get up!" What a surprise! He became alive!

There are many young people today who are, spiritually speaking, like that young man. They are dead in things spiritual. But, using Word and Sacrament the Lord can send His Holy Spirit and call them back to life.

Today, in many places, our churches are filled with elderly men, women, and children.

The seats are empty of young men. That is because many have no time to spend in worship. They find it boring or incredibly low on their priority list.

Such people are spiritually dead.

Thankfully, Jesus can make them come alive. His love can make them shine as He raises them from the sickness of sin and gives spiritual purpose and meaning to their lives. Jesus tells us He is "the way and the truth and the life" (see John 14:6). His concern and love for His people is great.

That is why I say on His behalf, "Oh, young people, Jesus sees you. He wants to heal you. He wants to raise you from your dying situation." Let the Holy Spirit bring you back and ask for vision to see God's love. See God's love and let your life be a living witness to it.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I speak to You on behalf of the young. They are busy, sometimes too busy. Send Your Holy Spirit, so they may have room in their hearts for the Savior who loves them so very much. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by our co-workers at the Lutheran Hour Ministries office in India. There, LHM-India broadcasts the Gospel in both Tamil and Hindu to citizens in this country of more than one billion people. In-country the LHM ministry center is known as Christian Media Center and operates from the city of Chennai. Additionally, LHM staff utilizes cassette tapes, printed materials, and Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) to share God's love and the redemption He offers through His Son, Jesus Christ.


To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 8-9    Psalms 60    John 2

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