In the name of Christ Jesus, dear fellow redeemed people of God,

When it really comes down to it, who really cares about you? From time to time, we just might think that nobody cares. The young missionary is having a tough time of it. His congregation isn't growing. People are being critical. He owes $45,000 in student loans. He sinks down in his chair and grumbles, "Nobody cares."

The young wife didn't think it would be this way. Her husband works too much. When he is home, he's shouting and impossible to please. She's up all night with their two little children. That baby is always crying. Her mother in law calls to criticize her again. She cries on the couch, thinking, "Nobody cares."

Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever tried hard to serve the Lord, but felt that nobody cares? Well, today's message should help you, because today we learn that...

1. FOR WEARY DISCIPLES

Our Lord's disciples had just returned from their mission. They had preached God's Word, calling them to repent and believe the good news. But, then, John the Baptist was beheaded. What was happening? They didn't even have time to eat, because so many people were coming and going. They were frazzled and tired. Didn't anybody care? Jesus did. The good Shepherd said to those weary disciples, {31b} "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Those disciples needed rest. Our Lord's disciples had just returned from their mission. They had preached God's Word, calling them to repent and believe the good news. But, then, John the Baptist was beheaded. What was happening? They didn't even have time to eat, because so many people were coming and going. They were frazzled and tired. Didn't anybody care? Jesus did. The good Shepherd said to those weary disciples, {31b} "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Those disciples needed rest.

Do you know what "burn out" is? When disciples work and work until they can't eat and they can't sleep and they can't rest, they eventually burn out. We can't keep going and going without rest... Eventually we become weary. I can only speak from my experience. It would be easy for me to work 24 hours a day, and still not do everything that I could do. There's always one more thing to do, one more person to call, one more meeting. But we can only take so much. If we don't rest, we can have a nervous breakdown. Sometimes, what gets us into trouble is trying too hard. We get to feeling just like were rowing the boat in a storm, and we're not getting anywhere, and so we try harder and harder and still get nowhere. We sometimes need to stop, and trust God. After all, from my experience anyway, it's never the lazy workers that burn out. It's the really hard-working ones. People who don't care never turn into basket cases. They don't care. It's always the conscientious people who get all worn out, and then snap after the slightest thing. Church members can burn out on church work. If you work too hard at your job, and at church, it can be overwhelming. Jesus does not expect us to work like nuts around the clock!

I'm glad that this paragraph is in the Bible. If you serve the Lord and serve the Lord and start to think that nobody notices and nobody cares, just remember that Jesus knows all about it. He told the disciples to take a break. He said: "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." If you've been overdoing it, come WITH JESUS. Don't take a vacation from Jesus, take a vacation WITH Jesus. Stop the frantic activity. Come with Jesus to a quiet place, a place where the phone won't interrupt, a place where the television is not on, and get some rest.

From time to time, we need rest for our bodies and our minds. Vacations can provide that kind of rest. Yet, our greater need is for spiritual rest. Take a Sabbath for your soul, so to speak. Take time each week with Jesus for worship. Find some quiet time WITH the Lord each day. Remember what the Lord said to Martha. Martha was becoming frustrated because she was trying to serve the Lord. Mary was sitting at the Lord's feet, listening to his word. She wanted Jesus to make Mary help her. But, Jesus said, "Martha, Martha... you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Lk 10:41-42). Remember that! The one thing needful is hearing God's Word. It is not busy-busy activity. It is not doing every job that needs doing. It is not working yourself into the ground. Jesus said so. Only one thing is truly needed. Be sure that you hear God's Word. Be sure that you pray. Be sure that you worship. Be sure that you are taking time for the Lord. Some of the rest can wait. If you feel all worn out and tired, and if you are wondering if nobody cares, rest assured that someone does. The Good Shepherd cares...

2. FOR EAGER LISTENERS

That crowd was eager. Jesus was trying to get away with his disciples and they knew it! But these people chased Jesus down. They were a little rude. Jesus was trying to get a break with his disciples. He could have sent them away. But, he didn't. He taught them. They didn't know God's Word very well. They were "like sheep without a shepherd." Many people today are like that. They don't know right from wrong. They are wandering through life in the wrong direction. The good Shepherd cares about them too.

And, he cares about sinners like you and me. We don't deserve to have Christ teach us. But he has provided Bibles to read. Do we use them enough? He calls and sends pastors and teachers. If our members are not in God's house regularly, it should not surprise us if they adopt the sinful attitudes and morals of the wicked world. What is the solution? Listen to Jesus! Hear God's Word. Learn what the Bible says!

This crowd was eager, but they were not very good listeners. Jesus taught them, then fed them with the great miracle of the feeding of the 5000. After that they rejected his teaching, and demanded free handouts. They were no longer eager listeners. In all honesty, are you an "eager" listener? Have you been regularly in God's house, or have you been straying? Come back to Jesus and his Word. You won't regret it.

This Sunday begins registration for our school. This Sunday, we are installing another teacher. Jesus cares about this very much. He said (Lk 18:16), "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Jesus cares about our children! He wants them to learn his Word. But do you care? How much do you care? The school is not run by long tradition or good intentions. It takes prayers and generous offerings to support the school. Have you been doing that? Does God think that you've been generous? He knows.

He knew that this crowd wanted to contribute nothing and to take food. They would demand more free handouts, and then leave. Jesus finally just let them go. They didn't want to follow him as Savior, and good Shepherd. So, Jesus let them go. That's the worst ending possible. They wouldn't listen, so finally, he just let them go.

May that never happen to us! Dear friends, may the summary of our lives not be, "They wouldn't listen, so Jesus finally just let them go." Repent of the times that you have not been an eager listener of God's Word. Repent of the times that you did not really care about the Christian education of children, preferring instead a life of ease. Repent of the times that your attitude and actions were not those of a generous giver. We have all sinned. Thanks be to God, our Jesus redeemed us from sin. Our good Shepherd laid down his life for the sheep. He cared enough to redeem us. He lived for us, and died for us, and paid for all of our sins. Rest assured that your sins are washed away. Rest assured that you are forgiven through Christ. Rest assured that by faith in Jesus Christ, you will be saved!

Whether you have been working too hard or straying from God's Word, Jesus is calling you back. Jesus knows all about you, and he cares. Don't ever say that nobody cares. Our good Shepherd cares. He cares about each one of us, and that means you and me too. He loves us. He provided rest for our souls. May we stay close to him and love him in return. Amen.