A Comforting Burden

Martin Greindl – Pastoral Intern

John 16:12-13

I love the Christmas season, but ironically it is when I struggle the most to have peace and feel close to Jesus. This year I want to really be intentional about meditating on the hope and peace that the gospel offers: Jesus with us. Peace with us. As Jesus headed to the cross, He prepared His disciples for His departure saying this:

“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come” John. 16:12-13.

I really like this first part. Jesus knows His people and He knows how much they can handle. To the church at Thyatira, Jesus says something similar: “you [who do] not hold to [the evil] teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’ (Revelation 2:25-26 NIV). Maybe you feel drained today, or maybe you believe that the slightest extra weight might finally crush you. Take heart! Jesus knows how much you can bear!

I am also encouraged by Jesus’ reminder to the disciples that the Helper that would soon live in them, is the Spirit of truth. Jesus Himself said that the truth would set us free (John. 8:32). The Helper living in us points us to the ultimate truth of the gospel and the hope that one day we will be intimately close with Jesus forever. What a comfort! I cherish that today, I hope you will too!

Dear Jesus, we love you and thank you for knowing how much we can bear. And we praise you that you bore the unbearable for us so we can have real peace.

Lord, I confess that I worry a lot and that I so readily want to give up. I try to carry all the weight on my shoulders. I am often ignorant of the gospel of peace and I constantly fail to throw off the things that hinder me. Please, forgive me!

Spirit of truth, I ask for your help today. Help me to walk in renewed strength and reject the lies I hear. Would you reveal Christ’s peace and help me to live in the freedom of the gospel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.