BEARING ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, bore the burden of our sins on a cross, which we could not do for ourselves (Isaiah 53:5; Romans 6:23; John 3 16). He says we should love one another, and bear each another’s burdens, as he did for us (John 13:34; Galatians 6:12). Jesus is our perfect example of bearing the burden of others. But he gives us another example of how we should bear one another’s .
JESUS TELLS A STORY OF A GOOD SAMARITAN AS AN EXAMPLE OF BEARING ANOTHER’S BURDEN
Once, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
Jesus tells us, “go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25-37).
THE BIBLE TELLS US VARIOUS WAYS OF BEARING ONE ANOTHER BURDENS.
Some of the ways we are told to bear one another’s burden are shown below:
The Biblical Word of God says the strong should bear the burden of the weak (Romans !5:1). And Jesus said, when you do good for the least of his brethren, you do it for him (Matthew 25:40; 6:1) God has given us different strengths that allow us to help one another. Those who are strong in one area might help others who are weak in that area; and vice versa. The following are some of the other ways we are told to bear the burden of one another, with the help of the Holy Spirit:
DO GOOD. Do good to all people, especially to those of the family of believers,” as we have opportunity (Galatians 6:10).
PRAY. Pray for one another: Pray “for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18). And pray “for all people” to come to know and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. And pray for authorities “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-6).
We cannot always interact or speak with everyone directly; but we can always pray to God for them—”The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” and “can accomplish much” (James 5:16). More is accomplished by our prayers than we will ever know until we get to heaven (James 5:16; 1 Corinthians 13:12).
ENCOURAGE. Encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). As members of the body of Christ we should patiently work with and “comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:4). For “to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” 1 Corinthians 12:7).
FORGIVE. Be kind and tender-hearted to one another just as in Christ God forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). Forgiving someone who has done a grievous wrong against may be hard to do. However, we ought to remember the Lord has forgiven us for our sins, for which we deserve death and eternal separation from God. This can help inspire us to forgive others as we have been forgiven (Romans 6:23; Matthew 6:12). And the Holy Spirit, our helper, can enable us to do what is impossible for us alone (Luke 18:27).
As we bear one another’s burdens and exercise Christ-like sacrificial love we grow in becoming more like our Savior (Roman 8:29). And like Jesus finished his work on earth, the Lord said, we will rest from all our labor to live with him in heaven forever (John 17:4-5; Revelation 14:13.)
