1 Kings ch17 vs8 – 16.
Luke’s Gospel ch4 vs16 -26.
The Lord Jesus Christ made reference to this widow in Nazareth .
It was His first visit to His home town since being anointed
by the Holy Spirit, and He was in the synagogue reading from the book of Isaiah
and speaking.
He went to the heart of the matter and told them He was
Messiah.
Many were taken aback, having grown up alongside Jesus
Christ.
However, all were amazed at the gracious words which He
spoke, until there was an abrupt turning point. It quickly turned to contempt,
saying “this is the carpenter’s son”, and having heard Jesus Christ speak of
Elijah and the widow, all in the synagogue were furious with Him.
Jesus Christ used Elijah and the widow as an illustration of
Himself as also being one to be rejected by His own people, and sent away from
His own country - immediately they in the synagogue led Him out of the city and
attempted to throw Him headlong over the brow edge!
The Lord Jesus Christ was telling them to consider their
history, that no prophet was accepted in his own country.
What can we learn about the widow? …
She was a Gentile. She had a son to look after, and was
really struggling to fend for them through the drought that was present in the
land.
The Lord knows all our cares, and later in His Word (James
ch1 vs27) says we should visit orphans and widows in their distress to provide
comfort and support.
The widow had so very little and yet was being asked to give
it up for Elijah. He told her God had promised that the little she had would
not run out until the drought had ended.
The widow believed and obeyed … why? She was a spiritual
woman who believed and knew God (vs12). Whilst there was unbelief in Jesus
Christ’s home town, here was a Gentile believing in the true God of Israel.
Having been sent many miles to be there, Elijah then spent
over two years with the widow and her son. They were saved from starvation,
through her obedience to Elijah’s message from God.
God sent His beloved Son, The Lord Jesus Christ, many miles
to save all the people of the world from the penalty of their sins. Jesus
Christ came from Heaven, to be born of a virgin. He stepped into time, took
flesh to live a completely sinless and blameless life so that He could give His
pure undefiled body as a sacrifice for all our sins. In His most wonderful love
for all mankind, He paid the price and debt for us that we could never pay.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” –
Romans ch3 vs23.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” – Romans ch6 vs23.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that
the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not
condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God”
- John’s Gospel ch3
vs16 – 18.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” – The Acts
ch4 vs12.
Friend, if you are going to be saved from the eternal
consequences of your sins against Holy God and escape Hell, there is no other
name for you to call upon or trust in!
The blood that The Lord Jesus Christ gave on The Cross from
much sufferings is all – sufficient to cleanse and forgive you for all your
sins!
This amazing, unique and special love is provided to you
from the heart of God.
Will you not tonight call upon the name of Jesus Christ, and
in repentance of your sins ask His forgiveness?
What an eternal blessing awaits those who accept His most
gracious love, grace and mercy!
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