| Title: When Your Load Is Heavy
Theme: Jesus will help you carry the load. – Proper 9 (14)
Objects: Several items that are not too heavy – such as a brick or a ten pound dumbbell and an automobile jack.
Scripture: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 [NIV]
How strong are you? Do you think you are pretty strong? How many of you think you could pick up this brick? How about a dumbbell like this one? Well, you must be pretty strong then. How many of you think you could pick up a car? Oh, you don’t think you could pick up a car? Well, I think you could if you had some help. Here is something that would help you. It is an automobile jack. If you put this jack underneath the car and pump the handle, you can easily lift a car that weighs over 3,000 pounds! Yes, with the help of a jack, you can lift a car, but you couldn’t do it alone, could you?
Some of you have some pretty heavy burdens to carry in life. Perhaps you have a physical handicap that makes your life difficult. Or, perhaps your father has lost his job and your family is having financial difficulties. Maybe someone in your family has cancer or some other serious illness and you are worried about them. You may be having a hard time making passing grades in school. I don’t know what the burdens are that you have in your life, but I do know that there are some that you just can’t handle by yourself. Well, guess what? You don’t have to!
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” There is no reason for you to struggle with burdens that are too heavy for you. God’s Word is full of promises to help us in times of trouble. Here are just a few: “Don’t be afraid, I am with you.” (Gen.26:24) “I’ll give you strength.” (Psalm 28:7) “I’m with you in times of trouble.” (Psalm 34:6) These words of encouragement are just what we need to face the hard times that may come our way.
Does that mean that if we will ask him, God will take all of our troubles away? No, but he will help us. In fact, some of our struggles may help us to grow and become stronger. They may also help us to learn to trust in Jesus. But when the load is too heavy, he will help us to carry it — and there is no burden that is too heavy for Jesus.
Dear Father, we are thankful that when we struggle under the load of life’s burdens, you are there to help us carry the load. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. |
