August 1, 2021 ((Sunday)
Jesus was busy. Everywhere He went, crowds followed Him, so He decided to go to the seashore by the Sea of Galilee. But even there, the people came from everywhere, so that he had to take his place in a little boat just offshore, where he taught the multitude that stayed on the shore. Late in the day, people were leaving, and Jesus took his disciples aside and explained to them the meaning of the parables He had shared with the people. Finally, as twilight fell, he got into the boat, invited His disciples to join Him and directed them to sail to the eastern shore. He was exhausted. He lay down in the stern of the little ship and went to sleep. The sea was calm, but that quickly changed:
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:37-41 KJV).
OK, you’ve read the story. As I read it, the words of the disicples to the sleeping Jesus, “Don’t you care?” echo in my mind. A storm raged. They were filled with fear. The seemed to have no faith at all. They complained to Jesus, “Don’t you care about us? Don’t you understand that our lives are threatened? This situation is serious! Our very lives hang in the balance!”
Have you ever felt like they did on that fateful night in a storm? Perhaps it was a scary situation of some kind in your life, maybe a loved one lay dying, or perhaps it was you yourself who felt life ebbing away. You were full of fear, but you were lacking in faith. Was that you? Was that the way you felt? Did you say that to God (“Don’t you care”)?
Let’s face it. We are human, forgetful of our birthright as the children of almighty God. There are times in our lives when fear crowds out our faith. And so we ask ourselves, Does Jesus care?
Does Jesus care when I’m hurting and don’t feel like laughing or singing? Does He care when the burdens of life seem unbearable? Does He care that I am overwhelmed with the oppressive cares of life?
Does Jesus care? Oh, yes, I know He cares. His heart is touched with my grief. I know my Savior cares!
When the disciples saw the power of the Lord bring peace and calmness to the winds and waves, perhaps their faith was increased. Hopefully they never forgot that day when Jesus scolded them for their lack of faith and demonstrated for them what the power of the Lord can accomplish. They were beginning to learn who they were: people of faith who would ‘turn the world upside down!” (Acts 17:6 KJV).
We know what life is like when we fail to trust the Lord. And we know what it’s like when we keep on trusting the Lord for spiritual strength, and rise victorious from our trials and tribulations to praise the Lord. Does Jesus care? Oh, yes, I know He cares. His heart is touched with my grief. I know my Savior cares!
DOES JESUS CARE?
Words: Frank E. Graeff
Music: Joseph L. Hall
1901
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
Chorus:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Chorus
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
Chorus
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Chorus
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Chorus