A number of us are caught up with popular TV remodeling shows like Property Brothers, Fixer Upper, Flip or Flop, or Love it or List It. Old, outdated homes are remodeled to become the dream home for a couple. Often, the favorite thing to update and beautify a home is to knock down walls giving the house an airy, open big home feel. However, opening up a room creates a huge issue. Walls bear the weight of the house and are load bearers. Frequently, the biggest concern is making sure the new open construction design does not compromise the house. How will the new layout distribute the load bearing so that the home will be solid?
Another example of load bearing is found in football. The five big guys up front making up the offensive line are the load bearers. Their job is to protect their quarterback from big, ferocious defensive players of the other team and banging against the opponent to open up “holes” for the ball carriers. Oh, by the way, there is little to no glamor or publicity for these guys. The only time you hear about them is when they create a penalty!
Jesus, the master designer, knew that mankind needed huge support. Because of sin, God’s original design for man had become a mess. His new design was to put the weight of sinful mankind past, present, and future on one “load bearer”, the sinless son of God dying on a cross to be our substitute to pay for each of our sins. He became the “load bearer”. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).
In God’s design, those who choose to be His followers are called to be “load bearers” like Jesus to the people around them whether it be a spouse, children, other family members, friends, neighbors, business associates and even their enemies. Luke 6:35-38 is clear about our calling, “35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 37 Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you.” God has called us to be “load bearers”…”Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
The very love that God has called us to is the love of Jesus. This love, agape, is translated as sacrificial, unselfish love. The way of Christ-followers is to be a “load bearer” for other people. Show them Jesus “expecting nothing in return”. Be willing to be patient and gentle “speaking the truth in love” (Galatians 6:1 and Ephesians 4:15). ARE YOU A LOAD BEARER?
Barnabas Man 