Does Jesus Care?

Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:32-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13

Introduction:

1. 1. From calm to chaos.
   2. In one day Jesus:
      1. received devastating news
      2. veiled threat against His own life
      3. about 20,000 people showed up and demanded of His time
      4. HIs disciples, again demonstrated a lack of faith even after they themselves had healed the sick and cast out demons!
   3. As the day began, Jesus received devastating news that John the baptist had been murdered (Matthew 14:1-13; John 11:11)

1. Profound Sorrow-Matthew 14:13
   1. Imagine getting the news that your closest friend has been murdered in a brutal and unjustified killing.  (At how and why John had been murdered)
   2. Needs to be alone
2. The Pressing Threat-Luke 9:7-9
   1. Herod desired to “see” Jesus. 
   2. The disciples brought news from three fronts:
      1. Devastating news about John the Baptist
      2. Herod’s interest in seeing Jesus
      3. The news about their own success in healing the sick and casting out demons (Mark 6:7, 12-13, 30)
3. Unfathomable Joy-Mark 6:30
   1. Ordinary men sent on an extraordinary mission-it was an emotional moment in which they were overwhelmed with excitement.
   2. Jesus had to check His emotions of sadness, grieving and “rejoice with those who rejoice…”
4. Multitudes and Great Crowds-Matthew 14:14
   1. Crowds/multitudes
      1. Matthew 14:21 says 5000 men besides women and children (5000 men + 5000 women + 10,000 children =20,000 people!)
      2. The disciples had been preaching, healing and casting out demons and telling people about Jesus.  People were coming from all over the place to hear and see Jesus.
   2. Not even time to eat (Mark 6:31)  Have you ever had a day like that?
   3. Think of what Jesus faced:
      1. Grieving over John, Herod looking for His head, celebration over disciples’ success, chaos as crowds of 1000’s seeking to be near Jesus…The Lord suggested they all go to a secluded place and rest a while (Mark 6:31-32).
      2. The ~20,000 had other plans.  (Mark 6:33; Luke 9:10-11)
      3. Jesus couldn’t get away!
5. Constant and Insensitive Interruptions!
   1. I’m sure you’ve had the same experience.  
   2. Jesus really knew what it felt like to be tired and stressed.
      1. Isaiah 53 describes Jesus as “Man of sorrows,” but we usually read this and think of the suffering on the cross, and not the day to day grind, day to day stress, and heart aches of life.
      2. This might be the reason why all four Gospels record this event to tell us, “YES!” He understands. 
         1. John 1:1, 14
         2. Hebrews 2:17; “Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things…”
   3. The disciples seemed much more stressed than Jesus, “It’s late, there’s no food!”  
      1. Matthew 14:14-15
      2. Jesus was not insensitive, rather He welcomed and cared for them-felt compassion (Luke 9:11; Mark 6:34)
      3. “You feed them.” Matthew 14:16
6. Doubting disciples (Mark 6:37; John 6:7, Matthew 14:17)
   1. Neither enough food or money
   2. This was the end of a long and emotional day for the these disciples, it was their breaking point.  Jesus made it their turning point.
7. Does Jesus care?  Oh Yes, He Cares!
   1. Jesus didn’t stomp His feet and demand His disciples find Him another place to rest.
   2. He didn’t rebuke the crowd.
   3. He didn’t throw up His hands and scream, “Why me?”
   4. No, instead he bowed His head and thanked God for the food and then fed the people more than they could possible eat.  (Matthew 14:19)
   5. My God does care!

Conclusion:

1. 1. Ephesians 1:7-8; “In Christ we have the redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.
   2. Romans 20:13; shows us that we must hear the gospel so that we know how to obey. We must first receive the good news through the teaching of God’s word.
   3. A personal belief in the gospel is essential to God’s plan of salvation: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). 
   4. Romans 10:9 states that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Many teach a confession of sins prior to the point of salvation. However, the Bible teaches that we are to confess Jesus as the master of our lives.  
   5. We must REPENT of our sins. Sin is what separates us from God Isaiah 59.2. Therefore, if we intend to seek God’s forgiveness, we must be willing to repent of our sins. Repentance means “turning away from sin” and making the effort to sin no more 1 Corinthians 6.9-11. If we aren’t willing to repent of our sins, we cannot be saved Acts 3.19; Acts 17.30-31.  
   6. The Bible is very clear regarding the necessity and role of water baptism in the plan of salvation. We are told: “repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38).

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