WHO WILL CARRY THIS?

My children used to hand me everything. They were quite capable of holding their own stuff. They just didn’t want to. They preferred I do the carrying.

Wherever we went, they’d pile it on me. Their personal assistant. Running out of Sunday School class dumping their Bible, lessons, crafts and other personal belongings into my hands. It wasn’t that it was too heavy for them. They needed both hands free so they could talk with their friends!

It’s payback time. My grandchildren do the same thing to their parents. Just the other day, I watched our grandson unload multiple items into his dad’s arms. Running off to socialize, while his dad stood there shackled in kid stuff. I couldn’t help but chuckle. My son, the carrier. The baton has been passed.

You know, Jesus carries our stuff, too. In fact, He invites us to unload everything on Him. Especially the heavy stuff. He doesn’t want us to carry burdens on our own. The Bible assures us He not only carries our burdens but He governs the details of our lives. If we’ll let Him.

Praise the Lord who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19

And the government shall be on His shoulders. Isaiah 9:6

Before Aaron entered the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament, he slipped on the linen ephod, a priestly vest worn by the high priest. On the breastplate were inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. It was how he prayed for Israel. Aaron carried them all before the Throne of God.

The Bible explains Jesus is now our High Priest. The One who suffered as we do and is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He writes our names on His heart. And because of the Cross, carries our shame on His shoulders.

He carries my name on His heart;

He bears my shame on His shoulders.

We can’t earn our way into the Kingdom of God. So Jesus came to us. And just like Aaron of old, He represents us before the Father. Jesus prays for us, as Aaron prayed for the Israelites.

So Mom, next time your kid hands over their load, picture Jesus carrying yours. Whether it be stinky sneakers, a heavy gym bag, or a stack of books. May it remind you of all that Jesus carries for you. Your stinky burdens. Your heavy shame. Your difficult circumstances. Your messy life.

And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve

done wrong, on him, on him. Isaiah 53:6 MSG

He took on his own shoulders the sins of the many.

Isaiah 53:12

So go ahead. Pile them on Jesus. He can handle it. In fact, He encourages you to transfer everything about your life over to Him. Lift those burdens off your shoulders and place them squarely on His. It’s why He came. To set you free.