Beech Tree News Network

We live in a time in which few people seem to care for us. David knew this feeling, and wrote, “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul” (Ps. 142:4). In contrast, we read Peter’s words, reminding us of the care Christ has for us: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (I Pet. 5:7).

    How can we see evidence of Christ’s care for us? Let us look first at His care for others while He walked the earth. A very well-known passage is the statement, “Jesus wept” (Jn. 11:35). Do we remember the context in which this statement was made? Jesus wept while standing at the tomb of Lazarus! He cared for Lazarus and his family and showed it through His weeping.

    We know that Jesus cares for us because of His great sacrifice upon the cross (Rom. 5:8). Before His death, Jesus made the statement, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (Jn. 15:13). Truly, Jesus showed His love when He died upon the cross to be the great sacrifice for man’s sin. The “lamb of God” took away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29). Yet, unlike a literal lamb, who was taken against its will and killed in Old Testament days, Jesus said, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (Jn. 10:17-18; cf. Matt. 26:53-56). Truly, it is evident that Christ cares for us when we see the extent of His sacrifice for us!

    Christ’s care is seen when we read of the Lord’s plan for salvation (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38). Our Lord wants us to be saved from sin and live with Him in Heaven one day. Therefore, He cares enough to tell us what to do to be saved and have a right relationship with Him. Read I Peter 5:7 again. Christ wants our care cast upon Him; not some, or part of it, but “all” of it! How many today would look to their fellow-man and say, “Please give me all your cares, concerns, and worries, because I care for you”? Yet, Jesus Christ, the son of the living God wants “all” our care “cast” upon Him, and He means it! Men may disappoint us, but Christ never will! He loves and cares for us.

    These are but a few examples of Christ’s care for us. In learning this great truth, let us also remember that the Bible says we are to walk in His steps (I Pet. 2:21-22). We are to speak and act according to what the Lord has authorized (permitted, Col. 3:17). Therefore, who has been the recipient of our care for them (Matt. 25:31-44)? How many can say they have seen “Christ in us” (Gal. 2:20) by the care we have shown them? (cf. Matt. 5:16)

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167