The Caring Jesus
Randall Caselman
11/26/97
The Caring Jesus
Some religions require no historical basis. They simply depend upon ideas rather then events. Christianity is different. Our faith is not founded upon abstract theology, but rather on the love of a caring God. There is something that raises Christianity above being just another religious system, more than a superstition, more than just the dream of an idealist. That something is the historical Jesus. He lived, died on a cross, there is an empty grave. He was God in the flesh, incarnate. These historical facts elevate Christianity above any other religious system or ideal. Jesus is alive today as our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Friend and Brother.
Jesus cares for those with special needs. More space is occupied in the Gospels telling about Jesus’ care for the needy than any other subject. His compassion was known wherever he went. The Gospel of Luke is known as
Good News for the outcast, the downtrodden, those no one else cared for. It almost seems as if Jesus could not accomplish what he came to do, for caring for people and their special needs. Jesus was in the people business. Ghandi once said,
Not even God dares appear before starving people in any form, but that of bread. Reminds us of the manna in the wilderness and Jesus saying,
I am the bread of life. Indeed, Jesus Cares.
Jesus cares for lost sinners.
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Some today do not want sinners in the church. Brethren, we are better Bible students than this. Sin makes us sinners! We are all guilty. Where is our humility? Why will we not confess our faults?
If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves. Paul wrote,
Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Notice the verb,
I am, not I was. Paul saw himself as a sinner. He was not self-righteous, but was willing to confess his faults. Because of his struggle with sin, we hear him say to the church at Rome,
O what a wretched man I am!
Some say, but brother Randall, this lets all kinds of
riffraff in the church. So it does. So it does. Jesus came to save riffraff. He came to save the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, the sinful lady who bathed His feet with her tears at Simon's house, the adulteress of John chapter eight, a thief who confessed His name moments before death. Who among us is arrogant enough to limit God's touch of grace? We must not allow pride to place us in fellowship with the Pharisee who prayed,
Lord, I am thankful I am not a sinner like other men.
While we were yet sinners. Thank God that in baptism we
riffraff are clothed with the righteousness of a caring Jesus.
For as many as have been baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. Thank God that His blood continues to cleanse all our sins.
For if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Christ continues to cleanse us from all our sins. Note, this was written to encourage Christians. Let us get rid of our self-righteous pride, admit our sin, and allow His blood to cleanse our hearts, set us free.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Alien sinners and children of God are both sinners. Sinners forgiven in the precious blood of Jesus.
O, yes He cares. I know He cares.
Jesus cares for His own. Jesus believed in fellowship, in brotherhood. O,
Jerusalem, Jerusalem... How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen does her chicks under her wing and you were unwilling! Christianity is not just facts from a printed page; faith is not simply mental assent to some religious propositions or church creed, but a living fellowship with God and one another. Jesus wants to live with us, in us. He wants to be in our worship, in our homes, at work, in our entertainment choices, in every facet of our lives.
If a man loves me, keeps my commandments, my words; my father and I will come and make our home with him.... Christ in you the hope of glory... Lo, I will be with you always... Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Jesus loved the church enough to give himself up for her, to make her holy. Jesus Cares.
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?
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:
Who for my deep grief I find no relief,
Tho’ my tears flow all the night long?
Does Jesus care when I’ve said good-by
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks
Is it aught to him? Does he see?
O yes, He cares; I know He cares.
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long night dreary,
I know my Savior cares. He Cares.
Yes, the caring Jesus takes our religion out of the realm of abstract theology and placing it in the reality of a historical, loving caring God who became flesh and dwelt among us dying for our sins. Here it is folks, our salvation is wrapped up in our becoming like Jesus, conforming to His image: caring for the needy, the lost and for those who belong to Him.
—Randall Caselman
