Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Mon, 02 Apr 2007 17:57:26 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (Apr. 3); BP: Is. 53; RBTTY: Lk. 7:31-50; Judg. 19-21
April 3 “Jesus, Our Burden-Bearer”
“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. . .and the Lord has
laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:4a, 6b
Truly, He is life’s greatest “Burden-Bearer.”
Those of us who live in advanced, industrial countries find it
increasingly difficult to understand or appreciate today’s Manna—primarily
because of our “easy,” sedentary lifestyles. Only those who live in
underprivileged and underdeveloped nations or still have to do heavy, manual
labor know how wearisome these jobs can be.
In cultures where there are no tractors and trailers to carry heavy
loads, quite often the head and/or back becomes the means of transportation.
How amazing it is to see a small, diminutive man, woman or child carrying
a heavy sack of coconuts, rocks, vegetables, etc., atop their head.
Although they smile while doing so, there’s no doubt that the burden is
heavy and their bodies are weary.
Although the “burdens” described in today’s Manna (“griefs, sorrows and
sin”) are intangible, they still weigh down the soul, robbing us of our joy
and zest for life. In fact, quite often they zap us worse than carrying the
above-mentioned items for they are internal “loads,” not external ones.
Anyone who’s ever had his/her heart torn in half or pulled out by its
roots knows full well the validity of this statement. Likewise, anyone
who’s ever battled deep depression knows the toll it takes on us mentally,
emotionally, physically and even spiritually.
Yet, Isaiah said the coming Messiah “has borne our griefs and carried
our sorrows.” The Hebrew word “nasa” is used for “borne” and also means “to
lift, accept, fetch, carry away, lift off, etc.,” while “cabal” is used for
“carried” and also means “to bear a burden, to relieve, be strong to labor,
etc.”
What’s interesting is Isaiah’s prophecy uses past, present and future
tenses for One Who has yet to arrive. Does this not reveal His eternal
nature? Likewise, does not the fact that He Who created us is also the One
Who sustains us move us to bow down in humble awe and adoration?
Assuredly it does—or should.
There are times when pride prevents us from asking or accepting others’
help. We assume an “I can do it by myself” attitude, robbing them of the
blessed privilege of “coming alongside us” in our toils and troubles.
However, there’ll come the time when our burdens become so great that
exhaustion comes in, causing us to stumble and despair of life itself.
It’s in those times that we must remember Who Jesus is: Our faithful
“Burden-Bearer.” In fact, we should not wait until we’re ready to go under
or give up before we call upon Him—for He’s already invited us to “come unto
Him” (Mt. 11:28-30). Are you resting in and relying upon Him right now,
Pilgrim? He’s waiting (I Pet. 5:7).
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