Missions

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Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

When I was a young convert, the LORD showed me through this passage that carrying a burden was a must for every Christian. Here, he invited us to cast our burdens upon him, but he didn’t stop there. He added that we must take his yoke upon us. It is not enough to lay aside the burden of sin that weighs us down. As followers of Jesus, each one of us must receive a burden from the Lord.

What is the burden of the Lord? How does one receive it? Why do we need to carry it?
Until now, I am still asking the Lord to provide me with clear answers to these questions. But I’ll try to share some of the insights He has shown me thus far.

The way I understand it, “burden” is a mighty propelling force, a burning flame. It is closely related to, if not exactly synonymous with the words “passion” and “compassion.” It means putting yourself in others’ shoes esp. those in need, sympathizing with them and doing something in order to help. It always involves the heart but goes beyond mere emotions. For me, burden and compassion simply mean pure, unconditional love that leads to action.

If you want to receive this burden, you must begin with praying in the Spirit. You can never understand its meaning unless the Holy Ghost gives it to you. “...because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Roman 5:5

I could still remember when I was baptized in the Spirit, my pastor was singing, “Lord, please move me with compassion for the lost, I pray...For the millions who are lost and cannot find their way…Melt my calloused heart with love no matter what the cost...Lord, please move me with compassion for the lost.”

This song is still playing in my heart today. But I’m still seeking to understand the deeper meaning of the word “burden” with the intent of applying it upon my life.

One time, while on my knees, I asked the Lord to give me burden for the lost. He responded by reminding me of Calvary. There, he showed me the seriousness of sin’s judgment and how he bore it all in the name of love. He gave me a glimpse of his agony when he cried out, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” He made me realize that during that particular moment, he felt the abandonment and hopelessness which every lost sinner in hell should suffer. What a tremendous burden he carried for our sins and for the sins of the whole of world! And oh, what a marvelous love!

We could never fully understand the depth of his pain as Jesus hung on the tree. But I’m sure it won’t hurt us a bit to ask Him to let the same love that held him there, overflow in our hearts today.

The task of evangelizing the nations for Christ can never be done without this burden. The Great Commission can never be fulfilled without the power of His love. This is the primary reason that we, as disciples of the Lord Jesus, must receive this burden:to effectively reach out and minister to the lost.

Don’t be afraid to ask this burden from Him. Remember, he won’t give you something that you can’t carry, and it is written, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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