Does Jesus Care?
Frank Graeff wrote the words and J. Lincoln Hall arranged the music for the following beautiful hymn:
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply
for mirth and song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress, and
the way grows weary and long?
Indeed, the apostle Peter affirms that our Lord cares for us: “ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you ” (1 Pet. 5:6-7). It is an incredible blessing to understand that Immanuel (“ God with us ”) cares for us. The very fact that He left the throne of heaven above to spend time among His creation (cf. Col. 1:16) allowed Him to comprehend our cares here on earth. Therefore, Jesus was able to encourage us: “ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment ?” (Matt. 6:25). The phrase “ take no thought ” comes from the same Greek word as the word “ care .” Therefore, notice three qualifications in the book of Hebrews that show His ability to care for us when we are in need.
Jesus cares when we are tempted. The Hebrew writer declared,
“Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Heb. 2:17-18)
In Matthew 4, we have one example recorded when the great tempter tried his best to entice Jesus three times, but Jesus withstood each time. Luke recorded in his account after the third temptation, “ And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season ” (Luke 4:13). Therefore, we know he continued his attempts to lure Jesus away from His Father and towards sin and the world until His death, using the scribes and Pharisees on many occasions: “ Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him …” (Matt. 22:35). The Hebrew writer makes clear that Jesus “ hath suffered ” because of His temptations—a Greek verb that many times denotes even pain (cf. Mark 5:26; 8:31). As a result, He is able to help and aid all who suffer through temptation.
Jesus cares when we are in trouble. The Hebrew writer proclaimed,
“For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need .” (Heb. 4:15-16)
The phrase “ touched with the feeling of our infirmities ” carries the multiple ideas of sympathy for that which makes us feeble. We encounter troubles of mind and Page 2 The Southwesterner August 11, 2013 body daily, some more than others do. Again, inspired revelation makes known of the High Priest for all Christians who understands these troubles of life and sympathizes with us.
Jesus cares when we transgress. His ultimate purpose in coming to this world was to redeem humanity through His death for their transgressions (cf. Isa. 53:1- 12). Thus, the Hebrew writer states, “ For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us ” (Heb. 9:24). Through His holy and pure sacrifice before the throne of God, He was able to appease the wrath and justice of God for our transgressions. His earthly mission and death, burial and resurrection vividly show His care when we transgress. “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life ” (John 3:16).
Does Jesus care?
O 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
.