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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
An old riddle or brain teaser asks this question: “If you were carrying all the feathers that you could, would you be able to continue if someone added just one more feather?” Of course the answer is obvious, but it becomes a bit tricky if someone observes, “You mean you couldn’t carry just one additional feather?” We will look at this old riddle from a spiritual viewpoint as our devotional thought for the day.
Jesus knew that we would be called upon to bear burdens. He implied as much when He said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11.29-30). After all, could we expect any less in as much as He likewise was called to bear heavy burdens from time to time? On one memorable occasion, the burden was so heavy that another person was compelled to help Jesus bear His literal cross to Golgotha.
Paul memorialized an important principle when he penned, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6.2). This does not give us as individual believers license to wait on others, expecting them to help even before we try! In fact, just a few lines later, Paul cautioned, “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.” (Galatians 6.4-5). These passages, when taken as a whole, demand that we do everything we can to carry our own load, and then lend a hand to others when they are in need of help! It is not a road for slackers; it is a road for compassion!
The second important portion of today’s focus verse reads, “… and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Other than here, this “law” is not explicitly stated. However, it is stated in another manner as well as exemplified by Divine example. Jesus said to His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13.34). The commandment to love is generic; the commandment to help others bear their heaviest loads is more specific. The whole idea of burden bearing was exemplified by Divine example on a multitude of occasions throughout history, but the point was indelibly driven home at the Cross of Jesus.
Sin’s burden had pressed upon man from almost the beginning of time. Nothing that we could do would permit our escape. All the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament served to “postpone” God’s demands for justice, but nothing could erase the debt from the Divine ledger. At long last and “in the fullness of time,” Jesus came to settle the debt that no man could pay. With His sacrifice on the cross, He cancelled our sin debt, and permitted us to enjoy the freedom that can only come through Divine intervention. It was here that God demonstrated once and for all the perfect example of burden bearing. What we could not do for ourselves (try as we might), He willingly shouldered on our behalf. His remedy was not without cost as we all know. The precious blood of God’s own Dear Son was shed specifically and finally to bear the burden that we could not bear!
As the words of a familiar hymn go, “He paid a debt He did not owe; I owed a debt I could not pay!” It makes perfect sense; the whole of Christianity revolves around Jesus bearing our unmanageable burdens. As recipients of that Divine Grace, could we be so selfish as to deny someone in need our own feeble efforts to help! God forbid that we could be so selfish; God grant us vision to see our opportunities!
Questions:
1. What license are we granted (if any) by the fact that someone should help us bear our heaviest burdens?
2. How do we know that Jesus knew we would have burdens? How heavy is the burden we shoulder when we become believers as compared to the burden we have if we refuse to believe?
3. What was and is the greatest example of bearing another’s burdens?
4. When we have the resources to help, what is revealed in our character if we refuse to aide a fellow believer who is genuinely struggling?
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