Oh Yes, He Cares!

Most of us know what it is to be hungry.

Food —we all need it! Among other definitions for food, we find that it is “nutriment in solid form” and that it “nourishes, sustains, or supplies.”* Schoolchildren often arrive back at home with this greeting: “Mom, I’m hungry! What is there to eat?” So caring mothers (and some fathers) have been connected with food in children’s minds. The caring Jesus, too, was always concerned that people had food to eat.

John 6:1–14 shares the story of how Jesus multiplied the lunch of a little boy in the crowd surrounding Him. The child’s mother had probably packed his lunch consisting of five barley loaves and two small fish.

The boy unselfishly shared his lunch by giving it to Jesus. Jesus was concerned about the crowd of people around Him being hungry but having nothing to eat. Jesus blessed the lunch and fed more than five thousand hungry listeners with it.

Jesus really cares for the needs of people.

On another occasion, crowds of people were waiting to see Jesus. Then a man named Jairus pushed his way through the crowd, begging Jesus to come to his house because his only daughter was dying. Jesus went to the house where everyone was mourning the death of the little girl. He entered the room where she lay, took her by the hand, and said, “My child, it’s time to get up.” Immediately, she opened her eyes and looked around. His first concern was that she have something to eat (Luke 8:55).

Does Jesus care? Oh yes, what a wonderful, caring Lord He is! At dawn one morning after His resurrection, Jesus appeared on a beach.

His disciples in a distant boat didn’t recognize Him. As they came closer to shore, Jesus called out to them, “Haven’t you any fish?” (John 21:5, NIV).

When the disciples said they didn’t, Jesus replied, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some” (verse 6, NIV).

When they did, their net filled with many fish.

That’s when John realized that the Man on the beach was Jesus. He had built a little fire and was cooking some fish for His disciples.

Jesus also had bread. “Come and have breakfast” (verse 12, NIV), He invited them. Oh, what a wonderful breakfast that must have been! Does Jesus care? Oh yes! He cares for you and me. Jesus is aware of our every need.

Priscilla E. Adonis