The Life of Christ

• It was deemed necessary for the poorest Jew, on the death of his wife, to provide at least two flutes and one mourning woman. For those who could afford more, several mourning women would be hired to chant in dissonant strains of lament. • At the gravesite others prepared to deliver their orations of the deceased’s accomplishments.

But in all this painful pageantry, there was nothing provided to soothe the heart of the widow who has just lost her only child. In her case she also lost her only means of support.

• The funeral procession began from the now desolate home. As it passed by neighboring houses, chairs and couches on porches were turned over and laid low.

• Just ahead of the bier, the funeral orator proclaimed the good deeds of the dead.

• Ahead of the orator walked the women of the community, since it was the woman who introduced death into the world. (This custom was practiced in Galilee and not in Judea. 25 )

• The body was then carried in a simple coffin made from cedar wood. The face of the dead remained uncovered. The body lay with its face turned upward, and hands folded on the breast.

• The coffin was carried by friends and neighbors, serving in frequent intervals in order to allow as many as possible the privilege of sharing in “the good work.”

• During these intervals there were loud lamentations, except if the deceased was a woman.

• Behind the bier walked the male relatives, friends, and the sympathetic multitude. The size of the gathering resulted from the belief that to not follow the dead to his final resting place was to mock the Creator.

• Interspersed within the crowd was the melancholy sound of cymbals, perhaps a trumpet, and various flutes, all playing in a minor key.” 26

This was the sight Jesus encountered.

• The procession of death will now encounter the procession of life.

• The connecting link between them was the deep sorrow of the mother. Jesus recognized her as she went before the bier, leading her son to the grave.

• She was weeping as Jesus walks up to her.

Lk. 7:13 And when the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.”

“Do not weep!”

• To tell this woman not to weep was unheard of, obnoxious, and entirely harsh.

• Not only had she just lost her only son, but also most likely her sole means of support.

Lk. 7:14 And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!”

25 Wilkins and Moreland, Ibid, 131. 26 Alfred Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1971), 431-432.

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