Widow Of Nain

A grieving widow mourns the loss of her only son, Eli, knowing she is now alone and destined for a life of begging. As she leads the funeral procession, she encounters Jesus and his followers at the town gates. Hearing of his miracles, she laments the injustice—how Jairus, a wealthy ruler, had his daughter revived while her own son remained dead.

Then, Jesus approaches, touched by her sorrow. He tells her, “Don’t cry,” and commands, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” To her amazement, Eli sits up and speaks. The crowd erupts in worship, declaring, “God is among us!” The widow is left in awe, realizing Jesus' compassion extended even to the poor and forgotten, proving his power and love for all.

Cast: 1 f old (monolog)

Bible Reference: Luke 7:11-17

Set: standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX: none

Props: none

Costumes: standard

Special Instructions: none

Time: 6

Sample of Script

Actor comes on stage, grief-stricken.

Actor: My son! . . My only son!

Snatched away from me!

And me, a widow! Alone!

With no one to support me.

Who wants an old woman, a poor old woman, especially one with no sons?

I would now be forced into a life of begging . . . or worse.

It would be just me and the wild dogs, at the back doors of the homes of the rich, fighting for table scraps.

(shakes head, disbelieving)

My beautiful son Eli.

Dead!

How did it all happen?

Eli and some of his friends, full of life, went to the Sea of Galilee to work on a fishing boat.

I missed my son . . . my heart was lonely . . . waiting for his return.

And return he did . . . but with his body burning with fever.

I did what I could.

But two days later, he was . . . dead.

With the little money I had, I arranged for his burial, the coffin, and I paid for the mourners.

More than what could be expected for the son of a poor widow.

Regardless, . . . my son, even in death, would have dignity!

And so, with mourners and friends in tow, we began the procession from my home to the grave.

At the town gates, we encountered a group of travelers, their mirth and happiness colliding with the hurt and hopelessness of our funeral procession.

I demanded to know what heartless scoundrels would desecrate a funeral procession, would cause this widow’s deepest pain.

I was informed that this noisy and tattered group had been traveling around Israel, following their spiritual leader, one Jesus ben Joseph of Nazareth.

Word was that a few days previous, the group had been visiting in Capernaum. There, a rich and powerful synagogue ruler, Jairus by name, came to Jesus, begging him to revive his dead daughter.

Understand . . . the daughter was . . . dead!

Officially dead!

As dead as my beloved son.

And . . .

And this Jesus somehow brought the girl back to life!

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