DOES JESUS CARE?

"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?"

(Mk. 4:38)

I think I may have mentioned this story in a previous article. When first arriving here in northern California some nineteen years ago, I was taking my daily stroll in our mobile home park. Passing a very aged gentleman, I said, "Good morning; how are you today?" His reply took me back, "Ain't no use tellin'; nobody cares." Sad but true, I'm sorry to say, of the day in which we live. I lived in a time years ago that this wasn't so for most folks.

We can expect this from a fallen society; but it is never true of our Saviour, in spite of many of us, from time to time, questioning it in severe times of trouble and turmoil. Even if we do not say it audibly as the disciples, we think it in our hearts. The storms of life can bring out the best or worst in us. So often it is the latter of the two, I'm ashamed to admit.

But some time after this event, one of those disciples had learned, as do many of us, that He really does care! Peter wrote in his first epistle, "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." The song writer said it much better than I could:

1. "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?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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