01/03/2022
Jesus was concerned about how much we could bear, and as we follow his example, we should be equally worried about the troubles, and progress of those around us. Our love for one another should always dictate the expectations we have for our fellow pilgrims, and it should determine the degree to which we take on the load of the weakest member in our number. Are we stronger physically, or in faith, than those we travel with? If so, do we see our brothers and sisters struggling, and walk on at a brisk pace without any consideration for their pain? By not concerning ourselves with the load of others are we loving them as we love ourselves? Are we obeying the commandments of Jesus by neglecting the struggles of others?
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2 ESV
We have a choice to make when some of our brethren are falling behind; we can either slow our pace, we can relieve the stragglers of the load they are carrying, or we can leave them behind. Jacob and Esau had to make a similar decision. Esau was strong and had little concern for the weak, but Jacob was worried about the little children, and the nursing ewes in their flocks, and herds. Do we as Christian’s behave like Esau, or like Jacob, as we proceed on in our journey of faith?
“Then Esau said, “Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you.” But Jacob said to him, “My Lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die.”
Genesis 33:12-13 ESV
I attended the Virginia Military Institute during college, and the corps was divided into companies by height, yet even though the members of a company were similar in height they were not equals in strength or endurance. Some of us could easily run great distances carrying heavy loads, some could not, and, some of us could climb over high walls, but others could not. So when we went on forced marches, runs, or ran obstacle courses, we had to make these same choices regarding the weak, but for us it was always unacceptable to leave anyone behind, so we had to lighten the loads of the weak, help them over the obstacles we faced, or, as a last resort, slow our pace to accommodate them. In military training our goal was to prepare ourselves for combat, to learn how to survive, and to defeat the enemy. So every training event was focused on this, and leaving any man behind, or slowing down the company, could one day translate into defeat on the field of battle… and death. It is the same for Christian soldiers. Allowing someone to lag behind, or stall at the foot of a tall obstacle, could mean the loss of not only that individual soul, but many. Isn’t it true that when we fail at something long enough we are inclined to quit trying? And isn’t it equally true that the strong among us can share their strength and perseverance… thus overcoming the weakness in another, and in so doing save the troop?
“let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
James 5:20 ESV
We are all weak in some manner, just as we are all sinners, but God saw value in each of us, and sent His Son Jesus to help us over that obstacle of sin, and to save us from death.
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
Jesus not only came to save all of us collectively, but He spoke of the value in rescuing every individual who wanders, or falters. He would have come, even if only one of us were lost.
“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?”
Matthew 18:12 ESV
So do we love one another enough to suffer as Jesus did to save the least among us? Do we see how taking on the burdens of another, by saving that one soul which is lost, also saves us? Is our church succeeding in its mission if the strong of faith within it leaves the wounded and weak behind, or stops looking for its lost sheep? Are we bearing one another’s burdens?
Prayer:
Father. Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your own Son to live, suffer, die, and be resurrected, so that we might be saved. Thank you Lord for giving us a loving heart for one another. Help us, when we face the enemy, to be courageous, and to not abandon the weak among us. Help us to use our strength to bolster the weak, and let the gift of our wisdom, and faith, be used to seek out the lost brothers and sisters who have become separated from us in the heat of battle. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is with us always, cares about the least of us, and never abandons us in the heat of this, our spiritual battle. Praised be your name Father for the mercy and grace you show us every day, and for renewing us in our faith when we are waning in strength, and endurance. Wash us clean of our sin with the blood of Jesus, who took on the sin burden of the world, so that we would thus be redeemed. See His image in us as we stand before you in judgement, and recognize us as worthy in Him. Call us your children, friends, heirs, and joint heirs, in Christ, and seat us at your table to worship you for all eternity.
Rich Forbes