Gal 6:2 (KJV)
(stumpy) christ of the ozarks (Photo credit: fallsroad)
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
How many times have you been abandoned or denied help when you most needed it? How many times have you tried to tell a friend or relative about some overbearing aspect of your life- only to have them absent themselves from the conversation with rapid speech and an even more rapid departure from your presence? How many times has the owner of the fleeing coattails been someone you thought was dear to you?
In Psalms 38, King David gives a chilling description of how we was abandoned during hard times:
4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. (Emphasis, mine)
6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
The Psalmist speaks clearly and paints a vivid picture. His burden is heavy. He is struggling to maintain balance. He is bowed down by weight he is carrying. He is disgraced. His lovers and friends (the people closest to him) “stand aloof from” his sore. This psalm was written almost three thousand years ago, but it could be written today. Could the psalm be talking about you?
The Bible tells us distinctly that we are to “bear one another’s burdens” the Greek word translated as bear is bastazō meaning also to take, to carry. Inherent to this word is the concept of removal. Even as Jesus removed our sin debt, which we had no ability to pay.
In these days approaching Easter, we should all rejoice that Jesus did not refuse to help us. We should continuously shout for joy that love came down from Heaven, was born into this sinful world yet was without sin. He went about doing good, healing the sick and raising the dead. At the appointed time, Jesus died and was resurrected from the dead. In doing so, He conquered death and hell, and paid the sin-debt for all mankind in full.
Our Savior is our example. He did not absent Himself from our sorrows. He came down from Heaven and lifted our sin burden. It is a sorry time in Christendom when we see the burdens of others as a running sore from which we must stand aloof. Friend, when was the last time you helped someone who was struggling with a burden? When was the last time you thanked the Lord for your salvation and all the blessings in your life? If praising God isn’t something that you do, something is wrong..
This day and everyday, let us act like Jesus. May we repent of our aloofness. Like our Savior, we should seek to have a heart that is willing to help others. The best way to help others is to share the good news that Christ died for the sin of humanity and offers rest from the burdens of sin and life.
May these words educate and comfort you today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).
– Verneda
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