“Jesus, Do You Care?”
My lack of emotional strength often results from my desires demanding affirmation of my value, assurance I’m loved, and attention so that I’m not ignored. If I don’t direct my “wanting” to trusting God’s supply, I crumble emotionally.
That’s what happened to the disciples.
On that day, when evening had come, he [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:35-41
I can surely understand the disciples’ terror. There truly was a reason for fear. Even though most of them were seasoned fishermen, this storm was obviously way beyond their comfort zone. And because most of them were seasoned fishermen, they knew the danger. They knew fishermen who had perished in storms like this.
The Sea of Galilee was famous for sudden windstorms. The boat was not just taking on water—it was “already filling.” As they looked around for help, what did they see? Jesus asleep on a cushion. The man who should have been the first to take care of them was completely oblivious to their need and fear.
I can only imagine how “they woke him.” Did they jostle him? The boat was already being jostled. Did they call to him? The sounds of the wind were already screaming. Did they grab him and shake him? That’s what I would have done. Out of terror.
Then the disciples reveal their underlying motive. “Teacher, don’t you care we are perishing? We thought we could depend upon you, yet obviously your own comfort—your sleep—is more important than us.”
How poignant, especially coming from men. We women are more prone to ask, “Please tell me you love me.” For these men to get in touch with their heart’s cry is astounding. Most men would have just demanded Jesus remove the storm, not reveal their emotions.
I think their question is often what our heart is crying out to know: Jesus, do you care?
We can be tempted to express it through emotional outbursts because we’re afraid we’ll hear, “No, I don’t care because you don’t deserve it.” I’ve been guilty of getting angry at Larry and only later realizing my heart was crying out, “Show me you love me! Maybe my anger, distress, or craziness will get your attention. Prove you care about my welfare!”
After Jesus calms the storm and the danger is past, the disciples are filled with wonder and awe. They rightly ask, who is this who can calm the wind and sea? If they had asked that question at the beginning, they wouldn’t have become distressed.
Because the answer is: “This is no surprise to Jesus. Even though he seems to be asleep on a cushion, he hasn’t stopped loving us or caring for us because he is the powerful and omniscient God. We can trust whatever reason he is allowing this.” Then God is glorified. When we allow stress to rule our lives, we are doubting the truth about Jesus’ power and the Father’s love. Then God isn’t glorified.
When have you felt like you asked Jesus, “Do you care?” He isn’t upset about your question but he does want you to hear,
“Child, I do care! Trust me. I know exactly what I’m doing and it’s for your good and my glory.”
This blog post is from my book Pure Hearted: The Blessings of Living Out God’s Glory
Pure Hearted will inspire you to focus on desiring God’s glory and enjoy the benefits without guilt—benefits like selflessness, security, satisfaction, surrender, stability and self-control, along with others.
Filled with biblical principles, practical instruction, and motivational stories, Pure Hearted is written for women. Every chapter includes a profile of a biblical woman along with discussion questions for groups or individuals.