"The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother"(Luke 7:15)

That God could retrieve his people to himself even after they had died was an idea that began to take shape in the last two centuries of the Old Testament era. Christ's resurrection from death gave flesh and blood to this emergent surmise; transforming it into the 'blessed hope.' At least two times before his passion Jesus gave folk a glimpse of the glory to come. How poignant and tender is the scene outside the city of Nain. How precious the prospect of severed relationships restored, and of love going on, and on!