Opening ones mouth for Jesus is difficult to say the least. Considering, however, Christ's investment in our lives that seems to be hypocrisy. How is it that a person can claim to love and honor Christ, yet find it difficult to speak about him? On the other hand, all of us have been put off by ones who speak with over-confidence. Such overbearing individuals may as well have their ears cut off, eyes removed for their lack of sense of the "other". They speak what they wish regardless of who's listening. In final analysis, the ones who first listen are the preachers worth hearing.
The scripture before us presents a "mouthy" prophet with a heart for peoples' needs. There is the genuine article. When he, therefore, speaks we are attentive. The way he spoke to the lady for instance: her needs came first. When he heard of her dire circumstances, he acted. However, the miracle was not for the sake of healing; it was that the widow might trust the one about whom the prophet spoke.
The widow and the son both benefited by listening. Doubt over the prophet, whatever doubt there may have been, was but fleeting. Once the boy was raised, what else could have mattered?
But the lesson goes beyond the healing. The "pre-Jesus" world gets a taste of the True Prophet yet to come. Prefigured in the miracle-performing prophet, they saw Jesus.
As we look back in awe, we find an authenticated faith. As we look ahead in anticipation, we see a sound hope. God's healing ability is more of a passing fancy when viewed in light of God's eternal power.
