Fallen Under the Load

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Envision the surrounding scenes and hear the sweet words from the lips of Jesus. Let relief and peace pour over your soul. His words are comfortingly inclusive, calling the weary to come. His words invite us to wholeheartedly offer our dependence solely on Him.

We joyfully consent to the calming capture of the Lord’s open arms as He bids us all to come. The call to come is not towards the world and all its charm, but towards HIS beautiful presence.

“Come to ME!’ He says to those worn out with fatigue and stress. However, back in His day, so many were exhausted from extreme burdens placed on their backs by the Pharisees, who encouraged followers to rise up to self-reliant perfection and endless self-promises to get up and keep trying, keep following the ‘rules,’ their rules, which only made the people more tired, weary and overcome with guilt.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Verse 29-30 Jesus continues, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

What Jesus had to offer was not a list of impossible rules, but the gift of Himself. He was extending His hand of help, that whatever our load, he would come along side to carry it with us.

Jesus knew what it was like to have to carry loads too heavy for Him. He was forced to carry His own cross and the weight of it made Him fall to the ground. A man named Simon picked up the cross and helped Jesus the rest of the way.

Would any of us have jumped to aid in relieving His burden? How much more would the Lord of our lives run to help each of us!

Suppose my load was anger or grave disappointment. And I came to Jesus with my burden, crying out to Him for solace and counsel. Suppose I placed the weight of my confusion and hurt on Him and received His peace instead.

Jesus said that His load is lighter. He helps me to bear my heavy burdens and frees me from having to carry it by myself.

Father, I gladly give you my burdens. You, alone, are my Rescuer who saves me from things too heavy for me to bear. Thank you for walking this life with me. Thank you for the relief and sense of freedom I have when I am with you. Help me never to forget that you are just a cry away. In Jesus name, Amen.