Two
days we thought about Jesus’ teaching that the greatest of the commandments is
for us to love one another. We looked at
the family unit based on love, mutual respect and the desire to help each other
grow into loving, serving individuals.
Today we consider helping others bear their burdens as being a result of
the love we feel in our hearts for our fellow human beings. “But I have enough burdens of my own,” you might say, “without seeking to help others
with their life loads. I am limited in
what I can do, and my own come first.” Yes;
we are limited, oftentimes in time, energy and means to help. Yes, those closest and dearest to us are our
main responsibility. But if we take a
narrow view on the parameters of love as we learn it from the Lord, we will
miss blessings for ourselves and rob others of the blessings of being helped
and loved. Galatians 6:1 states that “you who are spiritual should restore anyone
caught in transgression in a spirit of gentleness.” Burden-bearing for others requires a
gentle touch and a walk that is close to the Lord. We go back to Galatians 5:22-23 to see the
characteristics of such a walk, one who is capable of being a burden bearer. “The
fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. And
Ephesians 5:25 tells us not to “become
conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” To bear one another’s burdens is the
supreme imitation of Jesus, for He was the exemplary burden-bearer. Jesus taught, “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
Paul
admonished that it is even our obligation
to bear the infirmities of the weak. An
illustration comes from the mission field that shows the strength the
burden-bearer receives. In Aftica where
medical missionary Dr. Lambie worked, he had to cross many swift streams
without bridges. The natives taught him
their way of not being swept downstream by the waters. They told Dr. Lambie to get a heavy stone and
carry it with him as he waded across the stream. It would act as ballast, causing his feet to
be more firmly planted on the bottom of the stream so that the water would not
sweep him away. The doctor tried this
advice and it worked. That action provided
a good illustration for him to use in teaching the Christian truth of
burden-bearing to those to whom he ministered.
While we cross the dangerous stream of life, we need the ballast of
bearing others’ burdens—and even burdens of our own—to keep us solid and
focused on the important things of life.
Who is not personally made stronger by bearing a burden for another? Jesus taught that the law is to bear a
soldier’s pack for a mile, but He told us to go two miles. That of course indicates that we are to seek
to help not just in the expected manner, but to go the second mile. If a persons has no food to eat, we give him
food to satisfy hunger. But going the
second mile would be to seek to show him how to earn his livelihood so he can
purchase his own food.
“Greater love has no one than this, that
someone lay down his life for his friends”
(John 15:13). We must
remember that love is not just an emotion, a feeling; it is an act of the
will. And love seeks the best for
others, even to being willing to lay down one’s life (denying self) in order to
help a friend. We heard, especially
during World War II, of heroic deeds when one soldier performed an act of
bravery that cost him his life but saved others in his unit. We may not always be called upon to die for
others, but to live for them and seek to lead them in right pathways sometimes
requires “laying down one’s life” in great sacrifice of time, money and
guidance. Anne Sullivan laid down her
life in this way to teach the severely handicapped child, Helen Keller. Think of the rewards for both Helen and
Anne. We need to look about us every day
and pray: “Lord, to whom can I minister
today? Who has a burden I can help them
bear?” While
you’re praying to be shown that person, pray for strength to meet whatever
circumstances arise.
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