Burden Bearers

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:28-30

“That’s so unfair!” Joey exclaimed. He and his mom were learning about elephants and had just read that in some places elephants were sometimes made to carry heavy loads on their backs. “Elephants are already so heavy—to give them more weight is mean!”

“Well,” said Mom, “some big, heavy animals are able to carry a lot of weight on their backs, but elephants’ bodies are not designed that way. So you’re right—they should not be made to carry heavy loads on their backs.” She turned toward the hallway as Joey’s baby sister began to cry, then put the book down and went to the baby’s room. Joey took out his train set and was soon winding tracks all around the family room.

When dinner was ready, Mom asked Joey to clean up his train set and other toys. Joey frowned. “I don’t want to clean up these toys! Can’t you do it tonight, Mom?”

“Joey, do you remember what made you upset this afternoon?” Mom asked.

“Oh yeah,” Joey said. “The elephants! That was so mean to add to their weight!”

Quietly, Mom said, “Joey, do you realize that people carry heavy loads too? And that when we don’t help out or do our share—when we argue and make things more difficult—we’re adding to their weight?”

Looking down, Joey replied, “Well, no. I never thought about that.”

“Everyone carries something,” Mom said. “I carry the weight of taking care of you and your sister. Mr. Johnson next door carries the weight of helping Mrs. Johnson while she’s sick. Your father carries the weight of making sure we have everything we need. Carrying around weight is part of life. But do you know that God’s Word tells us that rather than adding to someone’s burdens, we should bear them by helping to carry them? And do you know why that is so special?”

“Why?” asked Joey.

“Because that’s what Jesus does for us. He tells us in the Bible, ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Because He loves us, Jesus took our greatest burden—the weight of our sin—so He could offer us rest. When we help carry one another’s burdens, we are reminding each other of the ultimate burden bearer—Jesus!”

-Cara Blondo

How About You?

Do you think about the weight those around you are carrying? Your parents, teachers, and even friends all have some concern on their hearts that may be weighing them down. By remembering what Jesus did for you, you can imitate Him by helping alleviate their burdens. Help carry the extra weight on their hearts by offering a helping hand, not talking back, and being patient with them.

Today’s Key Verse:
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Help carry others’ burdens