Most of us are familiar with the expression, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” We all have a deep inner longing to be cared for. We need to know that someone is genuinely concerned about our well-being… that we matter. The search for belonging can lead us down a variety of paths in life: some good, others harmful and destructive.
The Apostle Peter tells us that we should cast all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) As great as our need is to know that we are cared for, it is even more important to God that we understand how very much He does. God’s care is two-fold. Not only does He care about us, but He also takes care of us. So intimate is His concern, that Jesus told us that our heavenly Father knows the very number of hairs we have on our heads. (Matt. 10:30) In other words, God is intimately concerned about every detail of our lives and promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)
In today’s reading (Luke 10:38-42), Martha in her frustration, is questioning the degree to which Christ cares for her. “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.” (vs. 40) Lying beneath her seemingly reasonable request are some basic questions that we all have grappled with at one time or another. Questions like: “Don’t You see how unfair this is?” “Doesn’t it bother You that I am wearing myself out while others are being selfish and lazy?” “Are You even aware of my situation?” And finally, “Don’t You place any value on the sacrifices I’m making for You?” Talk about a loaded question; Martha’s statement was packed full of implications and accusations.
I can think of another place where the disciples questioned whether Jesus cared. It was in the midst of a fierce storm (as is often the case). As they were toiling in rowing and struggling to keep afloat, the Bible tells us that Jesus was in the hinder part of the boat, sleeping, with his head on a pillow… and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (Mark 4:38) It appeared to the disciples that Jesus was lost in another world, totally oblivious to what was happening around them. The fact was, however, that He cared so much, that He was right there in the boat, going through the storm with them. For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Heb. 13:5) Here was an opportunity for them to exercise faith - to believe that having His presence with them was enough to guarantee that everything would be alright. There may be times when it seems to us that Jesus is sleeping, but it just may be that those are the times that He is addressing some greater need in our lives: a need that we may be totally oblivious to. With the disciples, it was their need to learn to trust in His presence and believe His word, no matter what things looked like; with Martha, it was her need to spend more time at His feet, letting Him speak into her heart. Can’t you imagine Him saying, “Move over Mary and make room for your sister. After I’m done sharing, we can all pitch in and help Martha get dinner on the table.”? Yes, Jesus appreciated Martha and all she was doing for Him, but it was more important to Him (and more needful for her) to spend time in His presence and listen closely to the things He had to share. In all of our service, spending time with Jesus must always come first.
We have been taught to pray, “Lord, make the things that are important to You, to become important to me.” Perhaps we should add, “and teach me to never doubt that you care, but resting in Your love, help me to face my trials with faith, patience and great expectation.”
Psalm 121 assures us, “…He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (vs.3-4)
Evidently, we’re the ones that need to be awakened.
