Jesus: Someone who cares

Tell someone who cares? Tell Jesus.

Jesus cares. What's more, Jesus wants his followers to care, as he did.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34, NIV).

So, the directive was carried forward and later Paul (Apostle) could say: Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15, CSB).
There may be suffering or rejoicing to share.
But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it (1 Corinthians 12:24-26, NRSV).

In his last breathing, struggling, moments, we see Jesus cared:

Jesus' mother stood beside his cross with her sister and Mary the wife of Clopas. Mary Magdalene was standing there too.[a] When Jesus saw his mother and his favorite disciple with her, he said to his mother, “This man is now your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “She is now your mother.” From then on, that disciple took her into his own home (John 19:25-27, CEV). It might seem like a side issue, in face of the huge events taking place? His work was done and he had time and strength to look after his mother's welfare. Evidently Mary had a need. (I do wonder what had happened to Joseph.)

There was a day, early on, when Mary asked Jesus to help another during a wedding celebration.
When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
“Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[b]
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” (John 2:3-10, NIV) So, puzzling as it may be, Jesus helped care for people who were in danger of disgrace. Mary was concerned for them, I think, and apparently knew Jesus would share her care.

Jesus always wanted to do what he could for a person. Personal contamination from the "unclean" did not prevent him. A leper[a] came to him begging him, and kneeling[b] he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity,[c] Jesus[d] stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately the leprosy[e] left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Mark 1:40-44, NRSV) Jesus did not just ride roughshod over their Scriptures. However, he was clear about priorities. He saw and heard a man in need, right then. How did the writer know Jesus was moved by pity to set aside accepted behaviour and heal the man with a touch? Perhaps it was evident in Jesus' expression or usual behaviour?

Jesus was an observant man, but one who was prepared to welcome all. None would come and be rejected. Certainly he was not impeded by expectations of others. While he was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Now when he heard this, he said, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.[a] For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”[b] (Matthew 9:10-13, CSB) Jesus cared for people as people; he welcomed their presence. Later on Jesus had severe words for people who made their culture, their religious customs first priority. He followed their Bible (Old Testament; OT) order of importance.

In one Lucan pericope we are specifically told of Jesus being saddened by another's loss.
Soon Jesus and his disciples were on their way to the town of Nain, and a big crowd was going along with them. As they came near the gate of the town, they saw people carrying out the body of a widow’s only son. Many people from the town were walking along with her.
When the Lord saw the woman, he felt sorry for her and said, “Don’t cry!”
Jesus went over and touched the stretcher on which the people were carrying the dead boy. They stopped, and Jesus said, “Young man, get up!” The boy sat up and began to speak. Jesus then gave him back to his mother (Luke 7:11-15, CEV). How many funerals did Jesus witness - I wonder?  The young man could not have been long dead. Humanly speaking, irreversible changes had happened in his corpse. Townspeople were there - did the widow have any relatives in support? Not stated, but certainly her sorrow was turned to joy, as well as astonishment!  Was it the fact that the boy was her only son that drew Jesus' attention to that widow? No record of her asking Jesus anything, nor even looking at him. Her need spoke to Jesus. No indication that the young man described his "after death experience". (See above for view of village site.)

Jesus' concern was for the many. And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:35-36, ESV). He saw how much they needed help and support; how their blind guides left them troubled and powerless. Again, how did the writer know Jesus was moved by compassion? His appearance? His own statements, as seen below? More than once the comparison of people with un-cared for sheep comes up, just like it did/does long before in their OT, for example: For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd (Zechariah 10:2, ESV). A true shepherd shares God's truth, not nonsense, not lies, not false dreams and not empty assurances. The unavoidable implication is that would-be guides need to be continually assessed against the standard. That includes media voices...!

Jesus taught about God's care. In these following few lines from Luke we see a severe warning and an assurance. “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Luke 12:4-7, NIV). God is to be revered; God who is numbering the hairs of people; God who constantly provides for the people. Fear him, but don't be afraid! To fear God is to know this is God's world and God determines our destiny. This same God cares greatly for God's people and all people. Jesus said we can actually see the care in the daily course of the sun and the seasonal weather: Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong (Matthew 5:45, CEV). All receive God's care. Jesus wants his followers to act like he did, like God does.

People, especially religious people, are able to ignore actual need in pursuit of religious-rule-based living. Jesus found that a sad thing, which did not need to be.
Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.
Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.
He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus (Mark 3: 1-6, NLT). Jesus noticed the man - had he come that day, or been brought, on purpose? Jesus was both angry and sad. They were just angry and determined. I suppose it was easy to witness his anger; was his sadness also visible?

Crowds were part of the lives of Jesus and his closest followers. He sometimes needed to take practical steps to manage the thronging. That did not change his concern for those who pressed upon him: When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things (Mark 6:34, CSB). Jesus saw them. They were not just numbers to him. What did they need to know - what did he teach them? They deserved to know God's way of mercy and God's priorities. He valued people far above his own convenience. How were they like "unshepherded" sheep? Perhaps many or most of them could read. However, unlike us, I doubt they could own or have easy access to their Bible (OT). They could go to the synagogue and hear the Bible read and hear things said. But they would not hear things like Jesus said.

We are told Jesus' parables - at least some of them. We are told he had a message to get out (see Mark chapter 1, et al.) We see him engaging with people "where they were" and on their terms. People responded, positively, or negatively.

 

Jesus knew people found stuff being loaded on them hard to live with. I think that was the meticulous religious rules insisted on by those who controlled the "media". If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke[a] I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30, CEV). Jesus' way is demanding, but was/is not burdensome; he sets people free. So one can come under Jesus' dominion.

Physical needs counted with Jesus. In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” (Mark 8:1-5, ESV) So Jesus took the action. There again the "compassion"; here for people becoming faint. In this pericope we have Jesus vocalising his compassion, demonstrated so often. In fact Jesus spent himself for others.

Jesus is the constantly caring true shepherd of his people. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life — only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:14-18, NIV) The extent of his care was to the point of his death, for there was no other good enough. He willingly spent himself for his sheep. Therein I see the pinnacle expression of Jesus' care: He gave himself for the whole world.

Should children be "seen and not heard"? That may be an ancient idea? But: One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.
Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:15-17, NLT) Children came under Jesus' care. The trust of a child is a model. The scolding really belonged to those who wanted to turn children away; or to turn away parents bringing their children. I wonder if the children could have come unless their parents brought them.

The report of one sad, unique, event includes statement of Jesus' attitude to an enquirer. As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money[a] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions (Mark 10:17-22, NRSV). Jesus looked at the man! How did Mark know Jesus loved the man - perhaps it was seen on Jesus' face? (I hope the man later came to a different view of things.)

In one particular pericope we see Jesus caring greatly. We have an account of sisters in grave need; who messaged their friend Jesus for his help with their critically ill brother. Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”

“Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”_ _

_ As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died!”

When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved[a] in his spirit and troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked.

“Lord,” they told him, “come and see.”

Jesus wept.

So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Couldn’t he who opened the blind man’s eyes also have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it (John 11:5-8; 32-38, CSB). Lazarus was four days dead. Was Jesus heartfelt reaction to the death of Lazarus, to the grief of the sisters, or to the critical commentary - or all of the above? (Jesus' help for the family was delayed and was not as they expected or could imagine, for he restored the brother to this life! And the brother was also made a target.)

So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you heard me. I know that you always hear me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so that they may believe you sent me.” After he said this, he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go" (John 11:5-8; 32-38; 41-44, CSB). This was a very conspicuous action on the part of Jesus.

Earlier during this interaction, Jesus made the clear wonderful statement of eternal life for those who believe in him; that they never really die; that belief in him is key: When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:20-26, NIV)

There is one more mention of friend Lazarus: So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus (John 12:10-11, NRSV). Kill Jesus, their troubler. Kill Lazarus to kill the story. Does that seem extraordinary and perverse? I do wonder what happened - did Lazarus finally leave this life naturally? (No mention of any "report"  by Lazarus on his days "amongst the dead".)

The final visit to Jerusalem includes a unique report in Luke. When Jesus came closer and could see Jerusalem, he cried and said:

It is too bad that today your people don’t know what will bring them peace! Now it is hidden from them (Luke 19:41-42, CEV). Jesus cared for these people, including those who turned away from him. He did not want to see them suffer from the consequences of "their" decision. He spoke of this again during his final march ---

Jesus' way to his execution was marked by wailing. (That may have been a kind of "standard" thing in Jerusalem.) Nonetheless, Jesus seems to have turned that happening into an expression of his care for the people. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ (Luke 23:27-29, NIV). He was saddened. It seems impossible not to connect the cataclysmic events that took place in coming decades ( 70 CE) and even, for another generation, the Roman erasure of Judea (135 CE). Those who heard him could have guessed what terrible stuff lay immediately ahead, as the conflict between Rome and the zealots played out... Many people would eventually suffer because of the actions taken by some of their community, powerful protesters and resisters. (That seems very contemporary, as today, sadly, we have people victimised, or unnecessarily infected, and some dying, as others, sadly, exempt themselves from giving even minimum help to others.)

 

Eventually survivors were compelled to march in the Roman's victory parade, with items removed from the 70 CE ransacked Temple. There is a remarkable representation by "Biblical Archaeology" of the still-standing, sculptured panel, in Rome: https://images.app.goo.gl/5b62PBWLFRTiLeq19   

We see Jesus' care in his promise to one criminal, who was also expiring on a cross. One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,[a] saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43, ESV). According to Matthew and Luke both criminals reviled Jesus. Evidently, then, one had a change of heart and could receive Jesus' gift from him. Jesus rejected none. He turned/turns no one away.

It is abundantly clear Jesus was in the world as one who cared, one who served freely. He responded to requests and to needs he saw. The episode of the criminal surely shows that it is not too late to ask him for his mercy and to trust him. Not too late.

PS Extract from post, "Jesus: Lamb of God"

... book (Revelation) looks forward to the Lamb in a changed role: Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us[a] from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their[b] wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” (Revelation 6:15-17, NIV). As I write this the application to the "princes", and the "rich", and the "generals", etc, must seem so late in coming... So much harm done to so many by those who may benefit. However, the author has "everyone", even the slave, needing deliverance from that wrath. The need can be met in Jesus, the Lamb of God. He takes care of it, for those who will allow him.

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