Does Jesus Care

1 Peter 5:7 - “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

“Does Jesus Care” is a song that fully describes the compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Its message truly matches with the sweetness of its melody, giving every listener a taste and a feeling of God’s care, comfort, and love. 

I started singing this song as a young man and when I first heard it, I was deeply touched and enthralled by its message. It provided me, not only a sense of comfort, but the confidence, knowing that my God and Savior was always with me to help and rescue me every time I faced life’s deep challenges. His care for me has never changed through the years. He remains sensitive to my needs and mindful of my yearnings. 

“Does Jesus Care” was composed by Frank Ellsworth Graeff, a Methodist minister, who was born on December 19, 1860 in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. He was called into the gospel ministry at an early age and in 1890 became one of the prominent leaders in the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Church. He was a prolific writer of songs and a novel. He was known to have composed 200 songs and one of them is this beautiful hymn, “Does Jesus Care.”

In 1894 he was married to Mary Lourene Mauger, a daughter of a minister but they never had any children of their own. Despite that, they both developed a love for children that they always gave attention to the young ones in the church and the community by having fun with them and telling them Bible stories. The children loved them back for being cheerful and funny.

C. Austin Miles, another hymn composer said: “He is a spiritual optimist, a great friend of children; his bright sun-shining disposition attracts not only children but all with whom he comes in contact. He has a holy magnetism and a child-like faith.”

Everybody knew him as a person with a cheerful disposition. They called the “Sunshine Minister” due to the liveliness he would project when he was around people. But unbeknownst to everyone, he was suffering from anxiety and deep depression. 

Despite the many challenges he was facing, he maintained his sunny disposition and continued to bring cheer and showed strength to the people he loved. Because of the trials he was facing, he was moved and inspired to write:

“Does Jesus Care”

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth and song?

When the burdens press, And the cares distress

And the way grows weary and long?

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares 

His heart is touched with my grief

When the days are weary

The long night dreary

I know my Savior cares

Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

And as the daylight fades, Into deep dark shades

Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care

When I've tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong?

When for my deep grief there's no relief

Though the tears flow all the day long 

Does Jesus care when I've said, "Goodbye"

To the dearest on earth to me

And my sad heart aches, Till it nearly breaks

Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

During the dark episodes of his life, he claimed and held on to the faith of the Son of God. His emotional and mental condition did not make him give up on bringing cheer and the gospel to the people. Every time he was afflicted, Frank E Graeff was reported to have always turned to God’s word in 1 Peter 5:7 - which states, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Let us also consider the verses that follow verse 7, because any one of us can be afflicted by emotional and mental problems without any warning. Frank Graeff proved that the faith of Christ can help us live above any circumstances of life. God can produce wonderful and powerful testimony through songs like “Does Jesus Care.”

[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

[9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 

[10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 

[11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Frank Ellsworth Graeff died on July 29, 1919, in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, at the age of 59. His remains were buried at the Riverside Cemetery of Norristown, Pennsylvania.

“Oh yes, He cares. I know He cares”