There once was a man walking on a dirt road with a heavy load on his shoulders. The burden on his back was weighing him down making him tired and weary. Along came a prince in a carriage pulled by four strong and beautiful horses. Seeing the man struggle, the prince stopped his carriage and asked if he would like a ride. With a grateful heart, the man accepted the offer and climbed in the carriage. However, he kept the heavy burden on his shoulders. After a while the prince inquired about this strange behavior. The man replied, “I am very thankful that you offered me a ride, but I don’t want you to have to carry my burden, as well.”
Silly, isn’t it? Yet, in many respects we are acting just like this man. We accept with joy the salvation of Jesus, but we continue to carry burdens on our own.
With Easter on our minds, we can’t help but meditate on the amazing and mysterious work of our God in and through His Son Jesus, the Messiah. The Bible tells us that the weight of our sin was placed upon Him. Jesus looked upon us and felt compassion for us. In His amazing love, Christ invited us to exchange the burden of our sin for His forgiveness.
You may be carrying a heavy load on your shoulders. You may be tired and weary. You may be looking for a ray of hope, freedom, healing or acceptance. Listen to what Jesus says: “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.” (Matthew 11: 28-30)
Come to the cross of Jesus and lay your heavy burden down. Let the resurrection life birth new and abundant life in your heart.
