Bulletin Articles
Does Jesus Care? (2)
Continuing thoughts from Psalm 77:
Remember the deeds of the Lord (Psa 77:11ff). In our moments of deep despair, remembering what God has done can help soothe the hurting soul. For Israel, it was that God had led the people out of Egypt. It was also that God was indeed the Creator, and maintains all His power.
In addition to remembering His Power, let’s reflect for a moment on the deeds of our Lord:
“You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem” (Acts 10:38-39a)
Jesus went about doing good and healing. He was a healer. He could take those who are oppressed and bring healing and peace. And make no mistake about this: it is the devil who brings the oppression. It is the devil who destroys our peace of mind. It is the devil who prowls about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8). And devour he does! He destroys and devastates. And what we are feeling when we feel that devastation is due to the influence and havoc wrought by our adversary. This is why it is vital to realize that we are indeed in a battle for the heart and mind (Eph 6:12).
Only our Lord, through His own deeds, can heal us from the oppression of our adversary. “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). He has crushed the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15), and provides us with a way to overcome and gain victory by faith.
How did Jesus do this? By coming to die. By submitting to suffering and death. By voluntarily going through the agony of the cross. By dying and rising again. “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried” (Isa 53:4a). By His stripes we are healed.
“For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Heb 2:18).
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 2:14-16).
Did we hear that? We may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need! Why? Because Jesus is indeed the Great Healer who, through His death and resurrection, provides the ultimate healing to the problem of sin and all the ugliness that sin has brought into this world.
When we stop to think on the deeds of our God, reflect especially upon His actions that resulted in His death and resurrection, for this is where our hope will be found. We have a living hope made possible through the resurrection (1 Pet 1:3). And now, He ever lives to intercede on our behalf (Heb 7:25). Again, as Psalm 77 says, “You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. You have by Your power redeemed Your people” (vv 14-15a).
Of all wonders He has wrought. Of all the works He has done, the greatest and most powerful of all was accomplished by means of the anguish and suffering of the Son — “Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24).
The deeds of our Lord demonstrate conclusively that He loves us (Rom 8:31-39). They show without question that He cares for us and wants to redeem us from this world of sin and woe.
When we ask, “Does Jesus Care?” The answer is a resounding, “Oh yes, He cares. I know He cares.” These comforting words come from Frank E. Graeff (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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
