Creator, Father, King #289

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

IN JOHN BUNYAN’S CLASSIC tale, The Pilgrim’s Progress, a man named Christian goes on a long journey toward the Celestial City, encountering many hardships and different individuals along the way.

Early on, Christian carries a great burden on his back. But when he climbs a hill with a cross on it, his burden falls off his back and disappears into the empty tomb below. Bunyan’s book is a marvelous allegory for the Christian life, and the scene beautifully depicts how God justifies every believer through faith in Christ, removing the guilt of our sins.

Yet as today’s verse implies, Christians still carry burdens in our daily lives—some extremely heavy ones. So what’s up with that?

What’s It Mean?

Today’s verse is talking about the effects of living in a fallen world—the daily pain, challenges, sufferings, and sadness that people experience.

All around you, folks are hurting. The people in your circles—family members, friends, neighbors, acquaintances—are all carrying burdens, just like you are. Some are more significant than others. But each of those burdens is challenging to that individual. If you know of someone who is suffering, have you reached out to them in any way?

Here are a few ways you can practically bear someone else’s burdens:

• Pray. Tell someone you will commit to pray for them—and make sure to keep your promise (James 5:13).
• Listen. Sometimes, people just need a listening ear without a lot of advice (Job 2:13; 13:5; 16:1-5).
• Encourage. Share where you see God’s grace evident in this individual’s life and/or share a reassuring Bible verse. But avoid being preachy or patronizing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
• Give. Give your time, money, or other resources if you can help alleviate someone’s burden that way (James 2:15-16).

By lifting up others in this way, you will strengthen the body of Christ, be a powerful witness to unbelievers, and honor the Lord!

Now What?

Reach out to someone who is struggling by doing one or more of the suggested steps above.

Did You Know?

When the apostle Paul wrote that we will “obey the law of Christ” by bearing others’ burdens, he was probably referring to Jesus’ command in Matthew 22:39 to “love your neighbor as yourself,” which Jesus cited as second in importance only to loving God wholeheartedly.