Who Cares?

Read This Week: Luke 1

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm. He has filled the hungry with good things. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful.” – Luke 1:46-54 NIV

We hear so much in our society and culture about the word empathy. We tend to see it in the context of leadership, politics, social movements, and standards of thought. Unfortunately, there seems to be more talk about what certain people think empathy means than actually seeing empathy applied. Instead of asking who displays a myopic, skewed view of empathy, perhaps we should be asking who cares? Who is actually caring for their fellow man regularly in a tangible way instead of merely talking about it like a romantic idea? 

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus performs miracles and mighty deeds, feeds the hungry, heals the sick, and helps others not because He shows empathy but because He is the all-encompassing definition of compassion. Compassion and mercy lead Him to care deeply and translate His feelings into discernable action. Consider the words of Mary’s joyful song of praise (v.46-55) and focus on the language that describes the characteristics of God seen in the person and life of Christ:

“For he has been mindful… He has done great things for me… His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation… He has performed mighty deeds… He has filled the hungry with good things… He has helped his servant, remembering to be merciful.

Mary gives us a preview of what is to come in the following chapters. We will observe Jesus in caring action and words. We will see a servant, a shepherd, and a Savior who is empathetic to people and mindful of them. And He does not just feel or relate to their pain and suffering, but He is aware of how it affects them, and He is careful to express that. Christ shows mercy out of His love and does great things for people of all backgrounds, races, beliefs, and social and economic statuses. He truly cares.

God wants us to care. He desires us to go beyond the rhetoric of who is empathetic and who is not and the faulty social constructs that determine it. This benevolent care on display from Jesus is what God calls His followers to be. He was the compassionate Son of Man, and we are to follow His example of love, care, and kindness in our lives.

We are to be among people and not just ones we like. We are to befriend sinners and those on the margins of life. We are to hold up the weak and share the burdens of the afflicted. Showing compassion and caring for others is a sign of Christlikeness and of one who allows the Lord’s power to be expressed through their heart to effect change in the world.

Who cares? God does. And if we love God, we care too. Let’s allow Him to teach us this and so many other things in the days and weeks ahead through the book of Luke.

15 Comments

  1. Ken on March 17, 2022 at 2:12 am

    This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I think it would be awesome if it was made into a movie. I love how God had prepared this time with these people so long in advance. Every detail he worked out for them. It helps me to know how awesome God is planning good things for those of us who love him.

    I also really love how they get filled with the spirit and start speaking the words of the Lord to all the people. It’s such an encouragement to me on a life lived with God.

    • Jason on March 20, 2022 at 12:18 pm

      I couldn’t agree more, Ken! I love this chapter too and how it sets the tone both for those early followers and also for us. I appreciate these particular encouraging words of yours:

      I love how God had prepared this time with these people so long in advance. Every detail he worked out for them. It helps me to know how awesome God is planning good things for those of us who love him.

      I pray we will always keep this in view as we live our lives and live on mission. He has indeed planned good things for those who love Him. May we lay hold to them in the Spirit’s power.

  2. Heidi on March 19, 2022 at 9:45 am

    Luke is teaching everyone about the Christians faith, he wants everyone to have the right information so we can have the right information, so we can understand more about what Jesus did and taught.
    Like John we have a call on our life too!

    Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John
    verse 16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God.

    Just like Jesus, John, and all the hero’s and heroines in the bible we are God’s children too. Were helpers, servants of the Lord’s, God had Jesus, John, everyone who belongs to Him, He has important work for all us to do!!!

    We can help, influence and cause many people turn to God and turn people back to God to serve Him, praise Him for all He does for us. To love Father God with our whole hearts and do life with Him everyday and learn from all the people in the bible what that looks like.
    All you have to do is wake up every morning and (pray) ask Him how you can make a difference and then listen to Him all day long, and do it with Him.
    Never forgot He is with you everywhere you go. Have fun serving the Lord you’ll be blessed!

    • Jason on March 20, 2022 at 12:22 pm

      I so appreciate this reminder of who we are in Christ and how God has empowered us through His Holy Spirit just as He did for those that He used greatly in the Bible. This statement encourages me:

      Just like Jesus, John, and all the heroes and heroines in the bible we are God’s children too. Were helpers, servants of the Lord’s, God had Jesus, John, everyone who belongs to Him, He has important work for all us to do!

      What a tremendous truth and promise to embrace every day in our lives that God not only has important work for us to do but that He helps us through His eternal power to do it.

  3. Heidi on March 19, 2022 at 10:02 am

    This is a beautiful song to remind us every day who we are as children of God. Because we are, never forget it. Like the verse says in Luke 1:37 For with God nothing is ever impossible!

    As you do life with Him you will learn what His will is and what is not His will. With Him, He will help you through everything because you are His child and He set you free from the old life, because of what Jesus did for us. Always remember you have been chosen, He is for you not against you, we get to do life with Father God forever and ever.

    Who You Say I Am by Hillsong

    Who am I that the highest King would welcome me?
    I was lost, but He brought me in
    Oh His love for me
    Oh His love for me
    Who the Son sets free
    Oh, is free indeed
    I’m a child of God, yes, I am
    Free at last, He has ransomed me
    His grace runs deep
    While I was a slave to sin, Jesus died for me
    Yes, He died for me
    Who the Son sets free
    Oh is free indeed
    I’m a child of God, yes, I am
    In my Father’s house
    There’s a place for me
    I’m a child of God, yes, I am
    I am chosen, not forsaken
    I am who You say I am
    You are for me, not against me
    I am who You say I am
    I am chosen, not forsaken
    I am who You say I am
    You are for me, not against me
    I am who You say I am
    I am who You say I am
    Who the Son sets free
    Oh is free indeed
    I’m a child of God, yes, I am
    In my Father’s house
    There’s a place for me
    I’m a child of God, yes, I am
    In my Father’s house
    There’s a place for me
    I’m a child of God, yes, I am
    I am chosen, not forsaken
    I am who You say I am
    You are for me, not against me
    I am who You say I am
    I am chosen, not forsaken
    I am who You say I am
    You are for me, not against me
    I am who You say I am
    I am chosen, not forsaken
    I am who You say I am
    You are for me, not against me
    I am who You say I am
    Oh I am who You say I am
    Yes, I am who you say I am
    Who the Son sets free
    Oh is free indeed
    I’m a child of God, yes, I am
    In my Father’s house
    There’s a place for me
    I’m a child of God, yes, I am

    This is the link to the song: https://youtu.be/IcC1Bp13n_4

    • Jason on March 20, 2022 at 12:28 pm

      Thank you for posting this, Heidi! I have always loved this song. It touches me in profound ways. Nothing can lift the spirit and soul of a person quite like knowing this truth about God and how He sees us in Christ:

      There’s a place for me
      I’m a child of God, yes, I am
      I am chosen, not forsaken
      I am who You say I am
      You are for me, not against me
      I am who You say I am

  4. Jeri Centers on March 22, 2022 at 11:01 am

    God gave me this from Luke chapter 1 verses 7-8:

    I desire the fullness of you! And of your love.
    Root me in your love, and let my mind shine right through fullness of you.
    The full measure of your love, you are love, my love our love, our first love.
    I always desire the fullness of you!

    What that means to me is to go out and share God’s love with others so they can be rooted in God’s love and it will strengthen them through his Spirit so that Christ and to know his love and they can feel the fullness of God.

    • Jason on April 3, 2022 at 11:51 am

      Beautiful offering, Jeri. That is such a bold prayer and desire for the believer to know and experience the fullness of God in this life. May the Lord’s love fill our hearts through His Spirit to live and love that way.

  5. Jeri Centers on March 22, 2022 at 11:04 am

    Luke Chapter 1 verse 30
    My daughter long before you were born, you were called by God to love and serve him. You are constant and of His blessings. Do we noticed these in our daily lives? Do we take time to listen the still voice of God in our day?

    What that means to me!!

    We also can become filled with Grace like Mary just listen and respond with the re-sounding and unconditional yes to all that God wants from us!!

    • Jason on April 3, 2022 at 11:53 am

      I love this! There is no doubt we can be used just like Mary was. All we have to do is listen, obey, and respond as she did. She was not a supernatural person. She was just like us, a regular person who placed her faith in the power and word of an almighty, supernatural God and followed what He said. We can do likewise every day.

  6. Kathy on March 22, 2022 at 3:54 pm

    In reading Luke 1 this is what God gave me. Sometimes when your prayers don’t get answered, you might start to doubt My love and care for you, but I always love you and My care never stops. If you are a believer, you are highly favored, the Lord is with you, and you are blessed. I will always perform what I have said. The proper response to every promise I make should be “Let it be to me according to your faith.” like with Mary, Jesus lives within you spiritually and is also visible to the world through you.

    My promises should never make you passive, you should seize them by faith. You should “magnify the Lord.” Jesus is the one who saves you and makes you able to serve Him without fear. You saw in this chapter, promises were made, and I kept them. You are to believe I will do what I promise. It may not be in your timing. Trust Me. I am with you always. Praise Jesus, love Him, and be passionate about Him.

    What this said to me is that God’s promises are true. Being a believer, Jesus is made visible to the world through me, which means I don’t need to be passive but passionate to show others Him. I also need to remember that my actions reflect what is in my heart.

    • Jason on April 3, 2022 at 11:56 am

      Wonderful word and commentary, Kathy. This section of your post really resonated with me in its truth and practical application to our lives: My promises should never make you passive, you should seize them by faith.

      Just because we’ve been promised something from God doesn’t mean we have to rest on our laurels and take advantage of them by living a lethargic and non-purposeful life. I pray the promises of God that are Yes, and Amen! will propel and compel us to live for God with greater confidence, faith, and passion.

      Thank you for this reminder!

      • Kathy on April 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm

        Thank you Jason. Your words always encourage me. God bless you like you bless us!

        • Jason on April 12, 2022 at 4:30 pm

          Thank you, Kathy! You always encourage me as well. I am blessed by you all!

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