The Burdens We Don't See: A Call to Compassion.

Have you heard of the incident at the Versailles Wedding Hall in Jerusalem in 2001? Sadly, the name is associated with one of Israel's deadliest civilian building disasters. Many who were there to celebrate in joy the coming together of two people in their union vows resulted in 23 people losing their lives, and hundreds more were injured.

What caused this collapse? After investigation, it turns out it was due to unsafe structural design and the use of a lightweight floor construction method which had significant structural limitations. Think about this for a moment: significant structural limitations.

Friends, each week when we go to church, we interact with, sit beside, and share conversations with many different people. Some are stronger in their walks than others. Some are fragile in their trust in relationships. Others have been wounded, while others carry deep burdens. Regardless, each person comes with significant structural limitations that can fail if too much stress is applied or if they are pushed beyond their design limits. To support this statement, we first need to read Scripture from Matthew 11:28-30 (LSB).

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light

What is taking place in these verses is an invitation. Jesus is inviting those who have heavy struggles and feel the burden of those struggles on their shoulders. We use terms like, "That is a heavy load to carry." The invitation is not for theological hammering or rebuking; it is to come to Jesus who gives rest.

What causes heavy burdens? Health, finances, wayward children, loneliness, doubt, struggles of forgiveness (personally or for others), bitterness, habitual sin, along with many others, including perhaps not feeling like a good Christian because of words, opinions, and unsolicited counsel from fellow believers. Some commentators have rightly assigned Jesus' words here in Matthew to the legalism of tradition and the heavy burdens the Pharisees placed on the shoulders of believers. This is important as Jesus is offering a different yoke. If you are not familiar with this term, a yoke is what was placed around the necks of livestock so they can be steered and controlled. Jesus is using this term as a metaphor for discipleship.

How? Jesus is not offering a yoke of heaviness. The yoke of keeping the entire Law (which is impossible to do for anyone, only Jesus). Jesus is offering them discipleship with Him, to learn from Him, be close to Him; it is an expression of closeness and relationship. This invitation of Christ offers all those who have a heavy burden (which is all of us, and the reality and weight of our sin) to come to Him because He is humble and gentle. Friends, Jesus is saying there is great weight in submitting to the Pharisees' system of the Old Testament, and relief found in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Very important. We are saved not by works, merit, or anything else, and that remains true forever. Even as a Christian, one cannot cause Jesus to love them more or less based on temporary acts of victory or even failures

Why do I bring this up? Many times, well-meaning believers act like those Pharisees. Based upon their secondary, or tertiary convictions, maybe in place from previous or current denomination affiliations, they place burdens on the people of Jesus that they are not equipped to sustain. Some believers make a law where there is no law. Sometimes it is subtle, sometimes it screams. Here are some examples,

• A person's style of clothing on a Sunday morning must be according to a specific standard (Examples and addressed in future posts: Suits, dresses, head-coverings are either a must or rejected based on personal conviction or doctrinal conviction)

• A Bible translation is the only acceptable translation according to Jesus

• Preference over contemporary or classic hymn songs

• What a person can eat or drink (this includes the fruit of the vine at communion of grape juice or wine).

These can go deeper, as there are opinions on whether a divorced person can remarry, a former prostitute be allowed to serve in a ministry, and many more. Now, this is not about legalism or the promotion of antinomianism; it is about the weight we add to believers' lives that should not be there. We must remember, we are not the Holy Spirit. It is His job to convict, yet often many operate in condemnation, which places so much weight on others. The last thing any believer should do is stress the significant structural limitations of another. Friends, there are days when many walk into our churches ready to walk away. They have nothing left. The floor of their faith is buckled and about to collapse. Please do not be the reason for that collapse. Remember, when quoting Isaiah,

Jesus said, A battered reed He will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory (Matt 12:20)

This is compassionate language. Compassion is the opposite of harshness. A harsh person is quick with words; attitudes and opinions which damage weaker things, like busting through reeds and hot air blowing out a dim candle wick with barely any flame left. This statement goes right back to our verse in Matthew 11:28. Jesus' ministry is a gentle, compassionate ministry, where the weak are not abused, and an end-time promise of righteous justice is firm.

Therefore, dear Christian, take this as a call to reverse course with repentance if you are often someone who adds significant structural pressure to those with limitations. If you are more legalistic towards a dear lamb Christ redeemed, it needs to stop. Jesus loves you as much as them.

May we never be the cause of a floor collapsing (read Matthew 18:6). For those who are hurting and have experienced this from others. Show grace. Take it to Jesus and pray for them, as we all have burdens to carry. And lastly, for those who are really trying to honor Jesus in how they love.

Be encouraged if you are aiming to love the way Jesus loved, as the world will know who you are by the way you love one another (John 13:34-35)

In His merciful arms,

Pastor Steve