Better Together, Part II
Tuesday, April 9
Better Together, Part II
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Jesus, on his way to Golgotha to give his life, could no longer carry his own cross. A bystander named Simon then carried the cross, literally, for Jesus. We don’t see Jesus fighting him on it. We don’t see Jesus saying, no no no I don’t need your help. We don’t read our Savior pointing fingers at those who accused Him and got it to this point. We don’t read our Savior say this is my mess, let me fix it alone. So, why are you refusing help with your cross, your burden, your heavy load to carry? In the NIV Galatians 6:2 says “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” We were not made to be alone. I do not have to go through hardships alone, and neither do you. We’re here to carry the weight of each other’s burdens.
Consider the example Jesus set for us all while here on earth. Every time you add to the burden instead of helping to carry it, you are failing to fulfill the law of Christ. You are breaking his law. What is that law? Back up to chapter 5 of Galatians and it’s clear.
Galatians 5:14 “The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love each other. Love each other the way Jesus taught us to love. He shared his life fully. He washed the feet of others. He cared for a crowd of people who would be missing dinner. He was concerned for those who had a concern. Jesus MADE time. He stopped, he looked, he connected, he shared. Then he tells us to do the same.
Now maybe this hasn’t worked out so good for you in the past. Maybe you’ve tried to have a close circle of friends and it ended in bickering, then you decided you were better off doing this thing on your own. I’ve been there too. I’ve shut it all down after being hurt and pushed others out. THAT IS THE WORK OF THE ENEMY. Don’t let him win this. Don’t let him convince you everyone is bad and eventually you will just be hurt again. His goal is to isolate you for his attack.
Get back in a circle! Jesus knew Judas would betray him before he ever invited him into his circle. He knew Judas would fail, but he chose him anyway.
Yes people will fail you. Yes they will hurt you. But share your life anyway.
Who is praying for you? Who knows about your burden and can help carry the load?
I NEED you.
You NEED me.
WE NEED ONE ANOTHER.
United we stand. Divided we fall.
Together we can carry the burden. Alone we are crushed.
Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of community within the Body of Christ. Help us to cherish and nurture the relationships we have with our fellow believers, recognizing the strength and unity that comes from being connected to one another. Amen