“Does Jesus Care?”

February 1, 2021

“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?”

My parents led the song portion of a memorial service for a family member recently. This was one of the touching old hymns they chose. The death had been sudden, and now it seemed overwhelmingly final. God can seem so far away when we’re faced with loss and grief, when we’re reminded of how fragile life is and that none of us are promised tomorrow. Times of trial, of depression and hopelessness can feel so cold and lonely. It’s not difficult to understand why suicide remains a leading cause of death.

But there is One who understands every beat of your heart. He knows you so well that he knows how many hairs are on your head (Luke 12:7).

“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”

He is aware of your needs, your hurts, and is the only One who can truly identify with your grief.

You see, He squared off with sin – the reason why we face tribulations in our world today – and He won. He took upon Himself the sin that we all carried, sacrificed himself as a substitute so we wouldn’t have to suffer its unavoidable punishment, and then He rose to life, overcoming the power of death! We might be tempted to think that death is final, but Jesus Christ had the final word – and He is alive to hold an exclamation after “LIFE'“ forevermore.

“Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong
When for my deep grief I find no relief
Though my tears flow all the night long?”

There is nothing in this world that we have to face alone. We don’t have to live in defeat, because we have a Savior who removed the sting of death for us and offers hope of eternal life to all who believe and trust in Him. We don’t have to try to make it in this world on our own. In fact, it’s when we realize we can’t that we finally arrive at a place of rest and find the strength and hope we need. In the Bible, we are told that Jesus faced many temptations when He walked this earth, so He is able to sympathize with us. The good news is that He overcame all that we could ever face, and through Him, we can too. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Through Jesus Christ, we can know God intimately, in all His holiness. Through Jesus Christ, we can experience Him as the Scripture describes Him over and over again: “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (e.g. Psalm 145:8-9).

Find peace and strength today in the midst of whatever storm you might be facing. Remember that not even death can steal the hope you can have through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is faithful, compassionate…and yes, He truly cares!

“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.”