-October 23, 2020-
Good morning, happy Friday,
-Bear One Another’s Burdens-
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
(Galatians 6:2).
Today’s verse is short, clear, and direct. It is not hard to understand, but practicing it is another story. Under normal circumstances it is difficult, but in a pandemic such as we are experiencing it is even harder. We all have been affected in one way or another. We all have our own problems, big and small.
Jesus taught us to be humble servants and to love and serve others. We all have problems, trials, and needs, but those who are members of the body of Christ care about each other. Christ is our Head, we are His body, the church. We can’t stand idly by while others are hurting without not only praying for them, but helping them in some practical, tangible ways.
Paul tells us, “Bear one another’s burdens.” To bear someone’s burden is to help them carry it. Jesus taught the parable of “the Good Samaritan.” A man was accosted, assaulted, and left for dead on the side of the road. Three men passed by him: a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. The first two saw him, and walked away without helping him. The Samaritan not stopped and helped, he took care of him and brought him to an inn, and asked the proprietor to give him further care and told him he would pay him for it his next time through. The Samaritan illustrated what it meant to love your neighbor.
Jesus taught by His words and actions to love others as we love ourselves. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:26-27, “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” We cannot look away or walk away without getting involved, especially when we have the resources to help.
By bearing the burdens of others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are fulfilling the law of Christ, which is the law of love. Jesus told His disciples in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus’ love for us was practical. He died for our sins. He laid down His life for us. John wrote in 1 John 3:16-18, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
We feel good when we care and share. We are most like Christ when we give and forgive. As followers of Christ we must be burden bearers. The command is easy, but doing it consistently is the hard part. It takes self denial and self sacrifice. Are we willing to do it? There is no other option for us.
Have blessed day and weekend bearing the burdens of others in prayer and in actions. Stay safe and healthy.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 