weary and heavy laden

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Luke 11:37-12:7. Jesus has some harsh words for the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They describe what people should do and give them the laws and rules... but they don't help them to carry it out. They lay heavy burdens on the shoulders of the people, and then step back and wait for them to be crushed under the load.

Jesus tells us in other verses, "Come unto me, you who are weary and heavy laden... and I will give you rest. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." And that verse is reassuring, isn't it? When you're carrying a heavy load, you can come to Jesus, and He'll help you.

But there's a step in the middle of all of this that we need to see. The thing that Jesus was telling the Pharisees they SHOULD be doing, is what Jesus is calling us to do. To help carry our neighbor's load. When your friend is struggling under the weight of life - too many bills, not enough income, bad report from the doctor, bad grades on his test at school - we're tempted to think, "That's tough. Glad I'm not him!" and go on our way. But God is calling us to help. To lift their spirits. Maybe help them financially to get back on their feet. Just BE there for them if they're sick. Maybe help them study for that next test so they can pass their test.

Let's not be like the Pharisees and step back, waiting for other people to fail. Let's help.

God, thanks for calling us to help carry each other's burdens.