Jesus Cares When . . .

Love Message by Naama y.m. at freeimages.com

Hurricanes are destroying our cities!  Cancer is ruining our health and stressing our families.  Mental illness issues are plaguing our communities.  Churches are struggling with discord and division.  In the midst of these trials we must remember God invites us to cast all our care upon him because he cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7).

We need to be reminded that Jesus cares!  He is not unsympathetic to our plight and struggles.  He knows, loves, and cares.  In Luke chapter 7 we see Jesus interacting with humanity in four stories, each of which demonstrate how much Jesus cares.

1.  Jesus cares when sickness invades our homes (Luke 7:1-9).  A Centurion’s servant is sick and at the point of death.  He sends elders of the Jews to Jesus asking him to come and heal his servant.  Jesus responses to his request and admires his faith as he has great respect for Jesus’ power and authority.  The servant is healed!  Sickness can bring tremendous stress and anxiety upon us.  Jesus doesn’t want us to go through sickness alone.  He knows and cares for our pain.

2.  Jesus cares when death breaks our hearts (Luke 7:11-17).  In the next story Jesus enters the village of Nain.  He sees a widow who has lost her only son.  Jesus interrupts the funeral procession to bring the boy back to life.  Jesus’ heart went out to this widow.  He showed his love of her and his power over death.  Remember the shortest verse in the English Bible;  “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).  He wept out of compassion for humanity as we deal with death. Jesus cares when we lose our loved ones to death.

3.  Jesus cares when doubt clouds our minds (Luke 7:18-23).  The third story involves the famous preacher John the Baptist.  John was the forerunner for Jesus preparing people for his coming.  But he begins to doubt if his life mission has been correct.  He begins to doubt the Messiahship of Jesus.  He sends some of his disciples to ask Jesus if he is really the Christ. Jesus answers by pointing to his miraculous signs.  He then will compliment John as being “more than a prophet” and a great man.  Jesus didn’t belittle John’s doubt.  He gave him evidence.  Jesus cares when we struggle with doubt.  He offers us proof and encouragement to keep on keeping on!

4.  Jesus cares when sin overwhelms our lives (Luke 7:36-50).  The final story of Luke 7 involves a sinful woman who has been overwhelmed with love and gratitude for the forgiveness Christ offered her.  She comes while Jesus is eating a meal.  She washes his feet with her tears and hair, while anointing his feet.  Christ tells her she is forgiven.  He says she loved much, because she was forgiven much.  Jesus cares when sin ruins our lives.  When we feel  guilt-ridden and unworthy, Jesus cares.  He offers us grace, love, and forgiveness.

So whatever you are going through today, be reminded that Jesus cares.  This should give you hope, strength, and perseverance.