Pastor's Pen: Cast your burden on the Lord

Through a broken voice, she related how she had received bad news a short time earlier. Thankfully, her situation was resolved.

Most of us meet people from all walks of life who carry some kind of heavy burden around every day. It might be a family issue, a medical problem or an issue with guilt they have never been able to shake off. In the Old Testament King David had been guilty of acts that were clearly contrary to God’s will. No matter where he went the guilt of his wrong doing followed him. He said: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” Psalm 51: 3

Following the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, a number of his disciples were on their way home from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus. They had pinned all their hopes for their future upon Jesus, but now He was dead and had been laid in a tomb. Their hearts were burdened with grief and disappointment. The Bible says: “They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognising Him.” He asked them: “What are you discussing together as you walk along? They stood still, their faces downcast.”

Yet their burden of grief and disappointment was suddenly lifted. The Bible says: “Then their eyes were opened and they recognised Him” - that is Jesus the risen Lord. What an amazing moment! Their downcast faces were soon turned to wonder and amazement.

Jesus can still draw near and lift the burden of guilt or any other burden weighing you down. He wants to be our Lord and Saviour. It makes such a difference to know that Jesus is alive and can turn any situation around.

The invitation from the risen Saviour is: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”