Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
A few days after I was assigned “Burden-Bearers” as my reading to write a reflection on, I came across a pencil drawing of Jesus carrying the cross on His way to Golgatha to His crucifiction and death. It was complete with the crown of thorns on his head and it was obvious He had been flogged and beaten at the hands of Pilate and his men. I don’t know how many of you saw Mel Gibson’s 2004 “The Passion of the Christ” but the image that I have of Jesus following his treatment from them will be etched in my mind forever.
Jesus will be the greatest example of a burden-bearer that humankind will ever have. God placed on his shoulders the weight of every sin of humankind and sent him to his death hanging on a cross.
As I read this, I acknowledged that you and I are also burden-bearers. Certainly not to the extent of Jesus but nonetheless “bearers” in our own right. There are those of us who have and still are “bearing” the illness of a parent or child, who have and still are “bearing” the effects of a broken relationship or marriage, who have and still are “bearing” the effects of alcohol or drugs on a loved one or even ourselves. The list goes on forever with each of us adding our own burdens to the list.
I, like everyone else, have several burdens that I have carried for far too long. I have “laid them to rest” many times only to have them return with a resounding “We’re back”! God invites us to lay our guilts and burdens down at the foot of the cross – and to leave them there. Hopefully this Lent, I can make progress in that direction as can you.
My prayer, and hopefully yours as well, is that we can all be more “in tune” to those around us. In spite of all of the “Oh, I’m doing fine” and “Things are just great”, I know that beneath the surface are “burdens” that need a caring word, a loving smile, or a simple hug. These are things that we all can do and they don’t cost a dime.
In closing, I recommend for your reading Matthew 11:28-30: For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
– Camilla Davis, EFM Alumna
Your reflection struck a chord in me……very meaningful.
Thanks Camilla!
Thank you my friend ❤️
Wow, how true your words ring! I once read and the thought has never left me that the ground at the foot of the cross is level. In other words, that invitation to start anew is always there.
Your reflection was so touching and meaningful. I will not forget that Jesus was the greatest burden bearer of all.
As I was reading your reflection I remembered Zetta’s comment about the flat ground at the bottom of the cross during a recent EFM session, then found it in her comment here! As stated, we bring our burdens, our sin and guilt to the cross, starting again on level ground.
Thank you