The stories of the Roman centurion and the widow of Nain are both about young men, one a beloved servant of a Roman centurion, the other a beloved son of a widow in Israel.  One was at the point of death, the other had passed through death into eternity. Jesus healed one from a distance. Jesus healed the other directly in front of him. Jesus brought great joy to a Roman man and great joy to a Jewish mother.

With one, Jesus saw great humility and faith. With another, Jesus felt great compassion in his heart. But with both, Jesus showed that he is Lord of all. He is the one who can say to sickness, “be gone” and it will go, to evil spirits, “leave” and they will flee. He is the one who says to blessing, “come” and it will come, and to salvation, “enter this person” and salvation will enter.