August 30

Yes, Jesus Cares

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38).

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Song: “God Will Take Care of You”

I led my high-school Sunday school class in a lesson about Jesus calming a storm. We learned about boats—like which end is the stern, for example! Then we went into some depth about how Jesus and the disciples reacted when the storm broke out. The frightened disciples asked Jesus to wake up and do something.

Beneath their fear of the storm, they voiced concern about whether Jesus even cared for them. He picked up on that and asked why they were so afraid. But soon even Jesus’ control of the elements terrified them.

Only five students attended my class: three siblings, including twins, who lived with their aunts; one boy whose disabled, single mother came infrequently to church; and an African-American boy who seemed to fit in well in the congregation. I had questions of concern not included in our discussion but uppermost in my mind: Do these students know that Jesus cares about their sibling rivalry, lack of transportation, absent parents, making friends, and their difficulty in setting personal values by which to live?

Yes, Jesus cares about everything going on in these students’ lives. He cares for you, for me, for our families, our community, and our nation.

Christ, I know that You care. You cared so much that You gave Your life for each and every one of us. I believe; help my unbelief. In Your strong name I pray. Amen.