the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
Bear ye one another’s burdens. Galatians 6:2. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. Romans 15:1. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32.
What burdens have not we laid upon our Savior! "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:4-6). How quietly and peacefully the Lamb of God walked beneath our burden, not even opening His mouth! He says, "Thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities" (Isaiah 43:24). He does not say it in order to complain or to reproach us, for He adds immediately afterwards, I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins" (Isaiah 43:25). He desires to show us how we also are silently to bear the burdens which others by their faults lay upon us: we are not to remember them, but to forget and forgive all insults. Or shall we receive forgiveness from God and not forgive our brethren who have sinned against us? Shall He not then deal with us as He dealt with the servant in the Gospel narrative? (Matthew 18:33-34). If the burden that others lay upon you becomes too heavy, look to the Lamb of God and ask. Who has laid this heavy burden upon Thee? Who has scourged and wounded Thee? Who has slain Thee? And why dost Thou keep so silent and suffer so patiently? The answer will then come of itself: your duty will be plain.
Fain I would be as Thou art,
Give me Thy obedient heart.
Thou art pitiful and kind:
Let me have Thy loving mind.
