The song, “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus,” became popular almost immediately after it appeared in the 1930s, but even more so after the rich bass-baritone of George Beverly Shea sang it at Billy Graham’s evangelistic meetings. Thousands heard the song. Captivated by the words highlighted in the title, “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus,” the simple truth resonated with its hearers.
Charles Frederick Weigle wrote this classic hymn. Although most famous for composing this well-loved hymn, he is credited with over 1,000 gospel songs. Weigle, a Baptist evangelist, preacher, and music teacher, was born in Lafayette, Indiana 1871. He died in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1966.
Charles lived many years in Sebring, Indiana. Historians believe he composed “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus” while living there in 1932. By 1963, it had been translated into at least 30 different languages.
Weigle was born November 20, 1871, into a German-Luthern family. He had four brothers and seven sisters. His father and mother were devout Christians who led them in family prayer and daily Bible reading.
Weigle gave his life to Christ during a series of revival meetings at the Methodist Church of Lafayette, where his parents had been attending. Several of his friends were also converted during that time. Charles, one of his last peers to give his life to Christ, already had a reputation as a troublemaker. As he tells the testimony of his salvation, he likens that little church to a courtroom where his sins lay bare before the judge. Confronted with the evidence, he had little hope. Then Jesus stepped forward to take the penalty for his sins.
Charles’ testimony exposes a nasty young boy’s temper. He recounts the story of seriously injuring an older brother with a knife, knocking down one of the neighbor boys with a bat, and attacking someone with a heavy dinner bell so severely the victim had to be carried home. His parents warned him many times about the consequences of his violent bursts of anger.
His conversion experience pits a forceful recognition of condemnation of sin with awareness of his deep need for forgiveness. Under conviction of sin, he pictured one after another of those he’d wronged who pronounced him guilty.
Weigle illustrates Jesus’ work in his heart as one who knew the hopeless situation of his soul but as a loving and caring advocate before the high court of heaven. The question came to young Charles within his soul, “Did you do all these things?” Charles responded, “Yes, sir, and a lot of things they don’t even know about.”
In his testimony, he compares Christ’s saving work in his life to a lawyer’s plea before the judge, who then forgave him and took upon Himself the penalty for Charles’ sin. The imagery accurately describes the little boy he had been before Jesus transformed his heart. Many attested to a drastic change in Charles’ behavior after the revival meeting, where he surrendered his life to Christ.
Charles Weigle’s interest in music and natural talent prompted his studies at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He went on to a career in music and ministry. Weigle spent his last years training and inspiring young people at Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennesee. The university’s bible college named its music center after him.
Like so many hymns, “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus” came from a season of intense suffering. Charles’s ministry often took him away from home, leaving his wife and daughter alone. One day, Weigle came home to find his wife had decided to leave him. The strain proved too much for their marriage. She no longer wanted to live the life of an evangelist’s wife. His wife took their daughter and indulged in a life of worldly pleasure.
Weigle fell into a deep depression. The hymn’s title poignantly reflects the despair he’d experienced in those years when he wondered if anyone truly cared. Ministry and songwriting halted. His faith was sorely tried. Three years later, his wife died.
Weigle speaks of coming through years of misery and struggling with a stronger desire to give everything to the Lord. His ministry and music resumed. Overwhelming abundance and joy returned. As he marveled at the blessings of the Lord one day, Charles sat down at his piano and said aloud, “Jesus, no one ever cared for me like You.” He then wrote the song expressing this heartfelt reality in only twenty minutes.
The words of the title had proven true in the life of Charles Weigle. Jesus’ kindness and compassion of Jesus throughout Weigle’s darkness became more real than he had ever known. He found Christ’s love deeper than any he had ever experienced.
We also can be confident that “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus.” It is true for each of us.
Chorus
No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me.
First Stanza:
I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true.
I would tell you how He changed my life completely;
He did something no other friend could do.
Date: 1932; Author: Charles Weigle
The magnitude of Jesus’ love ties all of Scripture together. From David’s songs in the Psalms to Jesus’ journey to the Garden and the cross, hymns have expressed the deep emotions we experience.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV).
The love of Christ is often learned through painful circumstances. Yet, as Charles Weigle discovered, Jesus’ love and care have no limits.
“No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39 NIV).
Jesus’ love and care are immeasurable.
While “No One Ever Cared for Me like Jesus” expresses the deep love that Weigle experienced in a dark valley, he is not alone in declaring God’s love through song. Perhaps no other song summarizes it as well as a children’s song familiar to many: “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” has proclaimed God’s love to generations.
Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.Little ones to him belong
They are weak, but he is strong.Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
—Anna Bartlett Warner (1859)
To page through hymnals with songs written many years ago is like walking down halls lined with life stories of those who have found God faithful and steadfast in life’s varied situations. These familiar tunes remind us of truth and commitment. Songs like “There is a Name I Love to Hear” reassure us when we need encouragement.
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!
—Attributed to Frederick Whitfield
Hymns touch us in the ordinary circumstances all face. Composed lyrics set to tunes are easily remembered and passed on to others. They draw us to a place of worship and connection, such as the poignant phrasing of Frank E. Graeff (1901), who asked a question similar to Weigle’s in “Does Jesus Care When My Heart Is Pained?”
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?Refrain:
O yes, He cares—I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
—Frank E. Graeff (1901)
“No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus” and many other hymns confirm God’s care and love in our lives. They take what is felt and move it to what is true.
Although today hymn books are often laid aside in favor of big screens, both old and new songs which stir us to worship continue to be those which tell of Jesus’ infinite love and care.
When you join other worshipers in your church service, note how many songs you sing emphasizing Jesus’ love for us. This is the foundation of our faith. It is what took our Lord to the cross and laid our sins at His feet. The deep love and care He demonstrated toward us while we were still in our sins is truly something to sing about.
We all feel the heart-tug at times which begs us to wonder if anyone truly cares. Charles Weigle’s tender music and message affirm this blessed truth: “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus.”
Further Reading:
The Powerful Story Behind the Hymn "I Love to Tell the Story"
10 Things You Need to Know about Fanny Crosby
10 Hymns about Freedom You Can Sing Today
10 Encouraging Hymns about Grace
10 Inspirational Hymns of Praise
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images
Her love for pasta and all things Italian stems from years of ministry abroad. She’d love to tell you about it over a steaming cup of cappuccino. Connect with Sylvia on her blog, When the House is Quiet, her Facebook page, or Twitter.
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