Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - day 41

(First, yeah, I know that there are only 40 days in Lent, but I was trying to write most days, whether or not it is Sunday, with the Sundays not being counted in the 40 days of Lent.  Maybe I can get close to 40 blog entries, at least!)

I heard someone say that a cross like Jesus carried weighed 300 pounds.  Strange that I had never thought about how much the cross weighed in pounds … anyway, I looked this up on the internet.  According to several sites, it seems that while an entire cross used for Roman crucifixions could weigh about 300 pounds, the vertical stake could have been a permanent fixture with the crossbeam weighing around 100 pounds.  Many sources posited the view that Jesus carried only the crossbeam.  I was sharing this with someone when I said something about Jesus carrying the horizontal beam.  It hit me then like a new revelation, about Jesus carrying the burden of our “horizontal” – our horizontal relationships, the way we function on a horizontal level with our environment, etc. – even in His incarnation to reconcile us with the Father (on a vertical basis).  Made me think of Hebrews 2 Scripture (verses 9-18, from the KJV):

⁹ But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

¹⁰ For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

¹¹ For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

¹² Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

¹³ And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

¹⁶ For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

¹⁸ For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional speaks of burdens also, specifically the “burdens of life”:

Whether the burden that weighs us down is one of guilt such as the one that consumed David’s thoughts (Ps. 32:1-6), the fear Peter experienced (Matt. 26:20-35), or the doubt Thomas carried (John 20:24-29), Jesus has invited us to bring them all to Him: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

We are not built to bear burdens alone. When we cast them on the One who wants to bear our burdens (Ps. 68:19; 1 Peter 5:7), He replaces them with forgiveness, healing, and restoration. No burden is too heavy for Him.

I thought of the words to the song, I Must Tell Jesus, the first verse and refrain which are:

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Refrain

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

 

Thank You, Father, that You invite us to call on You, to pour out our hearts to You, to cast all our care upon You, for You care for us.  Thank You for Your thoughts toward us, more than can be numbered, for our complete welfare in and of peace (shalom), [on the vertical and horizontal planes!] that we would have a future in the hope You provide.

… and my journey with Him continues …