Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Most kind and gracious Lord Jesus, what a glorious spectacle it is to see to see our communities abuzz with extravagant care-giving and joyful servanthood. O, that it wouldn’t take a flood, a hurricane, or a tornado to engage us in burden-bearing neighboring… to free us for lifting-one-another friendship… to remind us that selfishness, isolation and self-sufficiency are no way to do life.
Jesus, as much as I enjoy talking about what’s going on in our broken neighborhoods, I am ten-fold more compelled to stop and praise you this morning. We’re moved to carry each other’s flood-induced burdens only because you’ve completely born the unbearable burden of our sin. We’re privileged to “fulfill the law of Christ” only because you’ve perfectly fulfilled the law of God for us. Goodness for goodness sake is nice. But goodness for gospel-sake is everything!
You’re the friend who is present to pick us up whenever we fall down. When we fall under the weight of life’s demands, you promise and provide rest for our weariness. When we fall into the pit of self-pity and unbelief, you’re right there extending your hand of mercy and restoration to us. When we fall under the spell of Satan’s condemning accusations, you preach the gospel to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, lifting the veil from our eyes so we can see the cross again. When we fall from grace into legalism or performance-based living, your life-giving rebukes lift us from that snake-infested hole and you restore us to gospel-sanity. When we fall, or jump into a pit of foolishness and sin, it’s your kindness that leads us to repentance and your grace that lifts us back onto the Father’s dance floor.
Jesus, there is no one like you… there is no other Savior… there is no one else worthy of our affection, adoration and allegiance. So very Amen, I pray, in your wonder-laden name.