Burdens

John Bunyan (1628-1688) was a simple “Tinker”, in that he fixed common household wares such as pots and pans. He had a limited education and became one of the most famous writers of all time. His famous allegory “The Pilgrim's Progress” became the most read book in the English language other than the Bible.  It is impossible to know how many copies of his book were made, because once it was published without copyright laws (they didn't exist in the 1600’s) people made copies of their own and sold them for profit.  Everyone had a copy of Pilgrim's Progress, it was read by all walks of life, taught in universities and if you haven't read it, you should.  

Though he started out as a tinker he was also a preacher and because he didn't belong to the Church of England he wasn't allowed to preach.  But that didn't stop John from fulfilling his calling.  At the age 32 he was jailed for preaching and spent the next 12 years there.  While in jail we was allowed two books, a Bible and the “Fox’s Book of Martyrs”.  With time to think he began to write his famous allegory.  In the book the main character “Christian” is walking up a road with walls on each side and the walls were called salvation, the way was hard and difficult because of the great burden he was carrying on his back. As he followed the road he claimed a hill and on top of that hill stood a cross.

As he approached the cross he could see just below it an open grave and as he neared the cross the burden on his back loosened and fell from his shoulders and tumbling into the grave where is was seen no more.  He stood there for a while to look in wonder because it was very surprising to him, that the sight of the cross should ease him of his burden, that he had carried for so long.  He looked until he was overcome and “tears were sent down his cheeks.”  

We all carry burdens, we carry the past, and all we carry sins—what we did to others, what others did to us and it goes on and one.  And the longer we carry those burdens the heavier they get.  These burdens wear us down, tire us out, result in all kinds of disorders, diseases and if not eventually relieved will take our lives.  What hope do we have? 

Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Mat. 11:28-30 ESV)

Jesus wants to relieve you of your burden, he wants to free you and give you rest!  He wants to walk along side you in this life and help you.  As a Christian we don’t have to worry about those things that once weighed us down.  As we draw near to the cross they will fell off and into the grave where our savior once laid and we will never see them again.  He has freed us to turn from sin in repentance, he has given us a new heart to serve him with ease. Live thankfully, live humbly, hopeful and joyful, for in Christ we are free.