Jesus Is Good News Series
#1 He Cares About Us  2 Peter 5:6-7

1 Peter 5:6-7: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,{7} casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you."

 

An Introduction to the series

Each of us has been in the position of talking with someone and having them present the dilemma of having both "good news" and "bad news" and jokingly asking us which one we want first.

Bad news in real life is no joke.

We seem to emphasize the bad news most of the time, don't we? Look at today's newspaper and count how many stories deal with bad news.

We also tend to focus on the bad news in our own lives. When we reflect on a day's activities, do we remember more vividly the good deeds we accomplished or the blunders we committed? When we receive comments from others on something we’ve done, do we remember the many compliments or the one criticism?

 

What would be “good news” for our world? The end of warfare? The elimination of disease? Financial stability for all?

What would be good news for you personally? A raise in salary? A new house? Your favorite sports team winning an important championship?

The New Testament says that Jesus is good news (the word "gospel" means "good news"):

(Mark 1:1)  The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

(Romans 1:9)  God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you

But in a world that seems to have overdosed on bad news, the meaning of this claim is not obvious to everyone.  It is only fair to ask, "How is Jesus good news?"

The answer may not be immediately apparent just by looking at religion. Religion has its share of bad news:
· The religious world is rocked by a new scandal or by someone's new outlandish claim
· Some people would say that most religion in the name of Jesus is little more than a "pain in the neck"
· Having seen what goes on in the name of Jesus, many are looking elsewhere.
· The interest shown by many in Eastern religions and New Age thought stems from the perception that Christianity has been tried and found wanting

In addition, Jesus is not good news in the way that many might think, expect, or want:
· For instance, Jesus never promised that His followers would escape the material woes that plague mankind
· Although Jesus healed many during His ministry on earth, He never promised the elimination of disease
· He said that there would be "wars and rumors of wars" in our world (Mark 13:7).
· He warned His followers that they would be beaten, persecuted and lied about, and confronted with severe trials (Matthew 6:11; 10:1ff)

We see that the good news of Jesus is not the glitzy health-and-wealth gospel foisted upon us by TV evangelist today

The question remains and is indeed a legitimate one:
1. How is Jesus good news?
2. Do the words and life of this teacher have anything to offer you and me?
3. What good news can I get for my struggles from a man who was executed as a criminal over 20 centuries ago?

Jesus is good news. He is good news in the most significant ways  It is simple in that it deals with the basics, cutting to the heart of our life situations without compromise or superficiality. It is also complex in that it touches the entire spectrum of personal, relational, and spiritual needs that everyone could possibly have.

Jesus is God News Because…He Cares For Us

We live in a depersonalized society, where closeness and intimacy are not highly prized and definitely not the thinking of the "rugged individualist."

But it’s also true that our society is beset with lonely and alienated people. It’s not hard to understand why this is true:

-          We have busy lives, are suspicious of others, and move so frequently that we don’t always develop close relationships

-          Most drive to work in self-contained cars

-          Even in crowded neighborhoods or in standing-room-only circumstances we can go for days without speaking to anyone significantly

We’ve progressed from a "I don’t want to get involved" way of thinking to one that choose rather to ignore not just the problems of other people but those people as well.

 

In his book, The Yoke of Christ, Elton Trueblood quotes a letter from a school girl who probes the depth of her soul. She writes, "I've been thinking much this year about the importance of caring, of the passion of life. I've often realized that it takes courage to care. Caring is dangerous. It leaves you open to hurt and to looking like a fool. And perhaps it's because they have been hurt so often that people are afraid to care. You can't die if you're not alive. And then who would rather be a stone? I have found many places in my own life where I keep a secret store of indifference as a sort of self-protection." That's a penetrating insight -- a secret store of indifference. We're to care, because Christ cared -- even though it means a cross."

   "This then is the advice to give anybody who never wants to be hurt: don't care! Don't care and then nobody can ever say, "I told you so." Don't care and you cannot be wounded because of the caring. If you don't want to be hurt, don't marry, then you can't lose. If you never want to be hurt, don't have a child. A child whom you love so much could be a terrible disappointment.
   "If you never want to be hurt, don't enter the church. Even this redemptive fellowship, on which Christ depends, can itself be disappointing and manifestly unworthy. Don't care and then you will be safe. But those who take this road to safety pay a heavy price, the price of turning their backs upon all of the best things in life."

1 Peter 5:6-7: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,{7} casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you."

 

He had already admonished the saints to be submissive to government authorities (1 Peter 2:13-17), the slaves to submit to their masters (1 Peter 2:18-25), and the wives to their husbands (1 Peter 3:1-7). Now he commanded all of the believers to submit to God and to each other.

The younger believers should submit to the older believers, not only out of respect for their age, but also out of respect for their spiritual maturity. Not every “senior saint” is a mature Christian, of course, because quantity of years is no guarantee of quality of experience. This is not to suggest that the older church members “run the church” and never listen to the younger members! Too often there is a generation war in the church, with the older people resisting change, and the younger people resisting the older people!

The solution is twofold: (1) all believers, young and old, should submit to each other; (2) all should submit to God. “Be clothed with humility” is the answer to the problem. Just as Jesus laid aside His outer garments and put on a towel to become a servant, so each of us should have a servant’s attitude and minister to each other. True humility is described in Philippians 2:1-11. Humility is not demeaning ourselves and thinking poorly of ourselves. It is simply not thinking of ourselves at all!

We can never be submissive to each other until we are first submissive to God. Peter quoted Proverbs 3:34 to defend his point, a verse that is also quoted in James 4:6. It takes grace to submit to another believer, but God can give that grace if we humble ourselves before Him.

God resists the proud because God hates the sin of pride (Prov. 6:16-17; 8:13). It was pride that turned Lucifer into Satan (Isa. 14:12-15). It was pride—a desire to be like God—that stirred Eve to take the forbidden fruit. "The pride of life" is an evidence of worldliness (1 John 2:16).

The only antidote to pride is the grace of God, and we receive that grace when we yield ourselves to Him. The evidence of that grace is that we yield to one another.

Submission is an act of faith. We are trusting God to direct in our lives and to work out His purposes in His time. After all, there is a danger in submitting to others; they might take advantage of us—but not if we trust God and if we are submitted to one another!

A person who is truly yielded to God, and who wants to serve his fellow Christians, would not even think of taking advantage of someone else, saved or unsaved. The "mighty hand of God" that directs our lives can also direct in the lives of others.

The key, of course, is the phrase "in due time." God never exalts anyone until that person is ready for it. First the cross, then the crown; first the suffering, then the glory.

Moses was under God’s hand for forty years before God sent him to deliver the Jews from Egypt. Joseph was under God’s hand for at least thirteen years before God lifted him to the throne. One of the evidences of our pride is our impatience with God, and one reason for suffering is that we might learn patience (James 1:1-6).

Here Peter was referring to words he heard the Master say: "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Luke 14:11).

One of the benefits of this kind of relationship with God is the privilege of letting Him take care of our burdens. Unless we meet the conditions laid down in 1 Peter 5:5-6, we cannot claim the wonderful promise of 1 Peter 5:7. The word translated "care" means "anxiety, the state of being pulled apart."

When circumstances are difficult, it is easy for us to be anxious and worried; but if we are, we will miss God’s blessing and become poor witnesses to the lost. We need His inward peace if we are going to triumph in the fiery trial and bring glory to His name. Dr. George Morrison said, "God does not make His children carefree in order that they be careless."

According to 1 Peter 5:7, we must once and for all give all of our cares—past, present, and future—to the Lord. We must not hand them to Him piecemeal, keeping those cares that we think we can handle ourselves. If we keep "the little cares" for ourselves, they will soon become big problems! Each time a new burden arises, we must by faith remind the Lord (and ourselves) that we have already turned it over to Him.

If anybody knew from experience that God cares for His own, it was Peter! When you read the four Gospels, you discover that Peter shared in some wonderful miracles. Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31), gave him a great catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11), helped him pay his temple tax (Matt. 17:24-27), helped him walk on the water (Matt. 14:22-33), repaired the damage he did to the ear of Malchus (Luke 22:50-51; John 18:10-11), and even delivered Peter from prison (Acts 12).

How does God show His love and care for us when we give our cares to Him? I believe that He performs four wonderful ministries on our behalf.

(1) He gives us the courage to face our cares honestly and not run away (Isa. 41:10).

(2) He gives us the wisdom to understand the situation (James 1:5).

(3) He gives us the strength to do what we must do (Phil. 4:13).

(4) He gives us the faith to trust Him to do the rest (Ps. 37:5).

 

Some people give God their burdens and expect Him to do everything! It is important that we let Him work in us as well as work for us, so that we will be prepared when the answer comes. "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee" (Ps. 55:22).

The Demonstration of His Compassion
(Matthew 9:36) "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

 

(Matthew 14:14) "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick."

(Matthew 15:32) "Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.""

 (Matthew 18:27)  The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

(Matthew 23:23)  "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

(Mark 6:34)  When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

(Luke 10:33)  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

(Luke 15:20)  So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

(John 11:33-36)  When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. {34} "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. {35} Jesus wept. {36} Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"

Jesus knew the profound truth about the mass of humanity that pressed around him. He knew, even if they didn’t understand it, that they were lost. He tried to meet their needs in order to point them to the spiritual need in their life.

"Peanuts" comic strip: "I love humanity…it’s people that I can’t stand."

 

The Significance of His Compassion
Jesus was a man "born of woman" but the words of Philippians 2:5-8 speak the best here:
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, {7} but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on
a cross!"

Jesus was tired…thirsty…and angry…He felt frustration and knew grief…He loved and demonstrated patience…the list could go on and on…

Does Jesus understand it when we face financial insecurity?

(Luke 22:42)  ""Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.""

Does Jesus understand how it feels not to want to do God’s will?

(Luke 9:58) "Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.""

(Hebrews 2:17-18) "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. {18} Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."

(Hebrews 4:15-16) "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. {16} Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

It is true Jesus did not live your life exactly:
· He did experience in one form or another all the dynamics of human relationships
· He was lied about and abused by others
· He felt pressure to impress people and be popular
· He felt the pressure of being tempted just as we feel it

His entry into the human predicament did not cause Him to walk away in disgust. It touched His heart. Jesus saw the crowds around Him not as trouble to be avoided but as people to be helped.

A media crew composed of television and newspaper reporters, in Alabama was summoned by a despondent, drunken, unemployed man who indicated that he was going to set himself ablaze. A photographer and sound technician responded to the call, and had to select between two roles once the fire began. They could fulfill a media role by recording the incident as impassive observers, or they could fulfill a humanitarian role by smothering the flames. For some 37 seconds the team chose the former. They taped this man burning for the six o'clock news and did nothing to save him.

By the time one of the individuals changed his role and began battling at the flames it was nearly too late. Fortunately, a volunteer fireman was able to extinguish the flames and save the man.

The Meaning of His Compassion
Let me tell you who you are. In fact, let me proclaim who you are.

·         You are an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ ( Rom. 8:17 ).

·         You are eternal, like an angel ( Luke 20:36 ).

·         You have a crown that will last forever ( 1 Cor. 9:25 ).

·         You are a holy priest ( 1 Pet. 2:5 ), a treasured possession ( Exod. 19:5 ).

·         You were chosen before the creation of the world ( Eph. 1:4 ). You are destined for “praise, fame, and honor, and you will be a holy people to the Lord your God” ( Deut. 26:19 ).

But more than any of the above—more significant than any title or position—is the simple fact that you are God’s child. “The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are his children” ( 1 John 3:1 ).^[1]

I love that last phrase! “We really are his children.” It’s as if John knew some of us would shake our heads and say, “Naw, not me.” If those are your feelings, John added that phrase for you.

We really are his children.” As a result, if something is important to you, it’s important  to God.

If you are a parent you know that. Imagine if you noticed an infected sore on the hand of your five-year-old son. You ask him what’s wrong, and he says that he has a splinter. You ask him when it happened. He says last week! You ask him why he didn’t tell you, and he says, “I didn’t want to bother you. I knew you had all those things to do running the household and all, I didn’t want to get in your way.”

“Get in my way? Get in my way! I’m your dad. You’re my son. My job is to help. I hurt when you hurt.”

How would you have perceived Jesus if you had lived when He was on the earth? Every possible response was given then and is still given today…

 

If it hurts the child, it hurts the father. So go ahead. Tell God what hurts. Talk to him. He won’t turn you away. He won’t think it’s silly. “For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. When he lived on earth, he was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace” ( Heb. 4:15–16 , emphasis added).

Does God care about the little things in our lives? You better believe it. If it matters to you, it matters to him.^[2]

William Barclay had this to say: "Jesus should be seen as someone not who did things but who does things. The greatest danger in Christianity is to think of Jesus as someone to be remembered. He is someone to be experienced and met."

Last modified: April 18, 2006