I grew up with a yoke hanging over our fireplace.  My Grandma grew up on a farm and, I guess, she kept it!  Somehow my dad ended up with it, and it became a decoration!  Sometimes my parents used interesting things to decorate with!

Seeing this artifact everyday gave me an insight that I normally would not have.  This yoke was not a pretty thing!  It had to adjustable openings where the oxen would be attached to.  The openings were connected by a strong single peice of wood which had metal loops on the top to connect the oxen to whatever they were pulling.  

Whenever I ear of burdens, I think of this piece of farm equipment.  So when I read verses 3-5 of 1 John 5, this is the image that came to mind.  "This is love for God: to obey His commands.  And His commands are nor burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (Verses 3-5)

Jesus also said in the gospels that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  

What is this burden that Jesus and John are referring to?  I would submit the burden is following God's commands.  From earlier in 1 John and the Gospels what are God's commands?

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord you God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  And the second is like it: to love your neighbor as yourself.

There you have it: LOVE.  

God's two greatest commandments are to love Him and to love others.  This is a message we have heard from pastors for many years, some churches even state this as their mission.  But as I think about what the word 'burden' means, I find myself questioning my ability to love.  

To be a burden implies some weight involved and some difficulty carrying it.  Some burdens are light, some are heavy.  I think what Jesus was saying is that is cargo is to love.  it is our job to carry that love wherever we go.  Love is the only thing we ar esupposed carry as followers of Jesus, but do I live life burdened by love?  Do i find myself trapped in places I find difficult to travel through because I honestly love those around me?  Most of the time, my response to that question is a resounding NO.  Only at a few times in my life can I say I have carried the burden of loving someone.  I can however point out times in my life where I have been that burden to others.

What about you?  Are you loving enough to be burdened by it?

In HIS Service,

Crazy Pete