How many times have you asked Him that question?

Are you asking that question now?

What are some of the emotions behind the question? Disappointment? Discouragement? Betrayal? Unfulfilled desires? Broken promises? Broken dreams? Loneliness? Loss? Dismay? Fear? Broken heart?

You and I live in a fallen creation. We can not see God face-to-face. Every human being has a sinful, rebellious nature. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we receive a new nature that wants to serve Him and live His way. But that sinful, rebellious nature wants to control the new nature still.

Centuries before Jesus Christ came to earth as a man, the prophet said this about Him – Isaiah 53

² For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

⁸ He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

⁹ And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Jesus Christ was not handsome to look upon. Neither was He well-built or taller than everyone else. When He went to the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and my sins He saw His seed –you and me. He endured the agony and death because He saw the end result – His resurrection, the tearing away of the enmity between us and God, a restored relationship with God so you and I can have a personal relationship with Him now and one day have a relationship physically in His presence forever.

When Jesus Christ came to earth as a man this is what He did- John 11:

³⁵ Jesus wept

When Jesus Christ came to earth as a man this is what He taught –Luke 12:

⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

⁷ But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Jesus Christ completely understands you-Hebrews 4:

¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

His invitation to you includes no strings attached and no prerequisites-Matthew 11:

²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Peter gave this advice- 1 Peter 5:

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Does Jesus Care? – 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?

 Refrain

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.

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?

 Refrain

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?

 Refrain

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?

 Refrain

Check it out = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtE_Leex7Nw

Questions for Reflection

1. How certain are you that Jesus Christ cares for you?
2. Have y responded to His invitation to come to Him? Will you respond?
3. Is there something that keeps you from Him?

   Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti