The Joy of Interruption: Day 4 of Joy
He sees your tears.
When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said, ‘Don’t weep.’ Then he came up and touched the open coffin, and the bearers stopped. He said, ‘Young man, I tell you, get up!‘ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.” — Luke 7:13-15 (CSB)
In Luke 7, we witness the intersection of two very different processions of people. One is a parade of life, as Jesus and a large crowd approach the town of Nain. The other is a procession of death, a widow burying her only son. The widow’s joy was not just dampened; it was extinct. In that culture, losing an only son didn’t just mean grief; it meant the loss of her future, her protection, and her identity.
Notice that Jesus doesn’t wait for a request. The widow didn’t ask for a miracle; she was simply walking in her sorrow. Yet, Jesus stepped forward to interrupt the funeral. He didn’t just offer “good vibes” or a sympathetic word; He touched the coffin and commanded life.
True joy is found in Jesus’ life-saving message that death does not have the final word. Our joy is carefree not because we ignore pain, but because we know the One who can halt a funeral with a single sentence: “Young man, I tell you, get up!” When Jesus told her, “Don’t weep,” He wasn’t dismissing her pain—He was announcing its expiration date. This is the anchor of our faith: we serve a Savior who specializes in interrupting our darkest moments with the promise of resurrection.
The 90/10 Rule of the Interruption
[read this article to learn more about the 90/10 rule]
The 10%: The “funeral” in your life—the loss, the dead ends, and the circumstances that seem final and hopeless.
The 90%: Jesus’ presence and His word of authority that says, “Get up!“
When you focus on the 10 percent, you are led by grief. When you focus on the 90 percent—the fact that the King of Life has stepped into your path—you are led by an unsinkable joy. Your circumstances may be shouting “The End,” but Jesus’ presence is a new beginning.
Is there a “procession of grief” in your life today—a dream that feels dead or a situation that feels final? Today, bring that specific situation before Jesus. Acknowledge the pain (the 10%) but then ask Him to interrupt it with His perspective (the 90%).
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that You are the Resurrection and the Life. When I am walking through a season that feels like a funeral, remind me that You are the King who interrupts death. Anchor my heart in the hope of Your promise and help me to walk with the joy that comes from knowing You have already won the ultimate victory. Amen.
View all messages in the series at: www.faithsaves.us/t/joy-series-faith-saves-us