Bearing One Another’s Burdens

(Galatians 6:2). The Scripture makes us understand that even though we are many, we are one body in Christ - Romans 12:5. It follows then that if one member of the body is in distress, the whole body will feel it. Many times in the church people feel alone and isolated. They come to the church with burdens and go back home again with them. I believe the Lord wants us to pay attention to this important issue of caring for one another. We shall study this in three parts:

• Jesus Our Perfect Example
• Bearing Burdens: How can we fulfil Christ’s Law
• The Power of Many

Jesus Our Perfect Example

Galatians 6:2 tells us "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ". Jesus is our standard and perfect example in all things and we can look into His life for direction. All through the Bible, we read of Jesus being ‘moved with compassion’ - Matthew 9:36 says "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed, and cast away as sheep not having a shepherd…".

Matthew 20:34 says, concerning two blind men on the outskirts of Jericho, that Jesus saw and He was 'moved with compassion'. Jesus touched their eyes; "and immediately they regained their sight, and they followed Him". There was also the case of the widow of  Nain who had lost her only son. Jesus also in compassion brought this only son back to life.

The list goes on as Paul in his testimony of Jesus preaches of Jesus of Nazareth who went about doing good and healing all that were sick and oppressed of the devil.  In some cases, the peoples’ needs were spiritual while in other cases (like in the feeding of the multitudes) they were physical needs. However, the word we see appearing over and over is compassion. To be a burden bearer we must have compassion on our brothers and sisters and even those outside the household of faith.

Bearing Burdens: How Can We Fulfil Christ’s Law

We have established that the attribute of Jesus that made Him able to help solve peoples’ problems was compassion. However, like Jesus we must also by the Holy Spirit’s help look at people through the eyes of compassion. We must allow God to guide us to where the genuine needs are. Some needs are obvious while others are hidden bravely behind smiles.

We can prayerfully identify these needs and pray, give, listen, make friends as the Lord leads us. I noticed that Jesus as the Prince of Peace simply rolled away the peoples’ problems but we are told to ‘bear’ one another’s burdens. This implies sharing the burden of a problem or need.

When we take on part of the problem, we make our brethren’s problems lighter and easier to bear while we experience a measure of their discomfort till the Lord lifts the burden. This involves sacrifice on our part which could be in time spent helping people, lifting them up in prayer, helping financially if we are so moved. It will cost us something. Hebrews 13:6 says, "But to do good and to communicate (this means reaching out) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased". Paul in his letter to the Philippians (4:14) wrote "Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction".

The Power Of Many

There are advantages to be derived when we bear one another’s burdens. What we often do not realise is that we form an invisible spiritual army linked arm to arm. What is the importance of this formation in warfare? It means arrows find it more difficult to penetrate the ranks. Those in the front are supported by those behind and the weak and wounded are kept within the protection of the ranks. The spiritual implication of this is that we are as a body able to repel the enemy and fulfil the law of Christ which is love. Our wounded (discouraged, heavy laden, weak, recovering) brethren are protected till the God of all comfort refreshes them.

Similarly, in Philippians 4:15-17 Paul tells the Church that they were the only ones that ministered to him in giving and receiving. Verse 17 says significantly, "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account". When we share other peoples’ burdens, we have a heavenly account towards which this is abounding.  Thanksgiving also abounds to God when we communicate. 2 Corinthians 9:12. And finally, the Almighty God has also said "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" - 2nd Corinthians 9:8.

Remain blessed and highly favoured. 
Titi Obishai (MRS)