More to Carry

Matthew 11:28-30

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

In any relational dynamic, Jesus is the stronger person. He states clearly in this passage that he intends to use his strength to lighten our burden. I believe this is true in any situation that we submit to his authority and, of course, the primary example of this is in his paying for the sin debt that we have no capacity to pay.

I’m starting to see that Jesus not only intends to lighten my burden as I trust him, but also serve as an example of how I should be in both actions and attitude toward the people I encounter.

In any interaction, depending on the particular situation, there will be a stronger and a weaker person. I need “stronger” people to pick me up and carry more of the load when I am too weak to do it… or don’t know how… or simply can’t find my way. Conversely, I need to be quick to recognize and be ready to respond when I can do the same for other people.

Jesus didn’t get frustrated with me because I couldn’t make a way to him. He, with great compassion, made his way to me. He covered the gap I never could have. My relationship with Jesus isn’t balanced… he is is the stronger person and so he carries more of the load. ( Just to be clear, in regards to my sin, I believe he carries the WHOLE load.)

So, if we are to follow the example of Jesus… when you are the stronger person, you must be willing to carry more of the load.

Oh yeah…

AND… not be frustrated by it but embrace the fact that God has equipped you for the task or the situation or the person.

Jesus is in a constant posture to take my burdens and make them lighter. I need to have that attitude when I’m called upon to carry the burden of someone else… because… at some point, someone will (and has) do that for me.