Jesus Bears Our Burdens (March 1, 2023)

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

I cherish every precious moment, but life can really be heavily burdensome. We all face circumstances that test our faith, try our patience, and tempt us to stray in our daily Christian walk. In addition to major trials and tribulations that are inevitable, each of us must bear daily burdens related to our jobs, families and other areas of our personal lives. We all feel the strain of both physical and emotional encumbrances and often the collective weight of these massive loads threatens to subdue and crush us. As believers, however, we know that whatever strains life brings to bear, the sturdy, outstretched hands of our LORD Jesus Christ are there to ease our afflictions and lift hefty yokes off of our frail shoulders. Jesus invites us to relieve ourselves of the crushing weights that are draining our physical, mental, and spiritual stamina and lay our cares at the foot of the cross.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Our Savior wants us to depend not upon our own limited strength and abilities but upon His absolute sufficiency to shoulder our weary loads and see us through life’s storms. Jesus’ merciful and mighty hands are lovingly extended to each of us, signaling His willingness to take upon Himself burdens that we alone cannot carry. We must never forget that those gently caressing and awesomely capable hands that seek to lighten our cargo are forever scarred by the nails that Christ willingly suffered in assuming on our behalf His greatest burden—the full weight of our sins! When we open our repentant hearts to receive the gift of His grace, the blood that Jesus shed for us at Calvary washes away our sins, signifies our salvation, and secures for us eternal life. Christ wants to replace the burdens of life with the perfect peace, comforting rest, and unspeakable joy that flood our souls when we surrender our loads and our lives to His able care.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)