“Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts. They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity.” Isaiah 46:1-2 ESV
Reflection: why is the burden of sin weighing us down?
If you have ever tried hiking with a heavy backpack all day, you know the amazing feeling it is to take the pack off at the end of the day. From being loaded down with a heavy burden, to suddenly being rid of the burden, almost feels as if you can fly. In our focus verses today, we also see multiple references to some burden, “these things you carry are borne as burdens”. What is the Lord referring to here? Bel and Nebo were Babylonian deities, false gods, offenses against God. They are a burden, because they cannot save, and they cause man to “go into captivity” with them, enslavement to sin.
We have all felt the burden of sin, but not everyone has experienced the burden of sin being lifted off. We know deep down when we have hurt someone, that we have done something that is contrary to the way and the will of God. Might be as “simple” as having lied to someone, deceived them perhaps, which really is just another form of lying. Or perhaps something much more serious, causing all sorts of damage and destruction to people and relationships. At first, you might try to avoid taking responsibility, excuse your actions somehow, or instead to even blame others. You try to ignore what you have done, to bury it. But it nags at you, and the weight of the sin is just gets heavier and heavier. When you think about it,
This increase in weight has to be “by design”, to lead us back into relationships with God and our neighbors.
Because sin causes a rift in our relationships, deep down, which need to be healed and restored. If you have wronged someone, you have also wronged God. Not only can we feel this weight, we can actually observe the weight of sin on someone’s face and demeanor. But, just like dropping that backpack in the end of a long hike, confessing sin from a remorseful heart, then hearing the beautiful words “I forgive you” feels so amazing, so liberating. A huge burden lifted, as if you can fly. Likewise, the person who has been wrong also experiences freedom in the act of forgiveness. I believe God longs to forgive, to offer mercy and grace, to those who come to Him in repentance. But, what if the confession is not sincere, not from a remorseful heart?
Let’s look at a story recorded in Matthew, right before Jesus started His ministry. “Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” Matthew 3:4-8 ESV.
Are you carrying heavy burdens of sin?
Jesus said “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 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.””Matthew 11:27-30 ESV. Confess all to Jesus, in genuine repentance. He is the only one who can blot out our sin, who has atoned for all sin. Then go humbly to those who you have wronged, with a sincere heart of repentance asking for their forgiveness, to restore the relationship.
