Too often we carry our burdens around by ourselves. I heard a preacher say that we live in a DIY society and it’s true with our Christian lives as well. We try to Do it Ourself. But God says we should bear one another’s burdens.
Do you know that 2 horses can pull three times the weight of one horse? So with us, if we share our burdens with one another the weight is much much lighter.
Not only that, if we share our burdens with Jesus, the weight is even lighter for he says,
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Hymn of the Week: “Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary”
“Today’s featured hymn was written in 1952 by one of our contemporary songwriters, John M. Moore, currently a Baptist pastor and evangelist in Toronto, Canada. The hymn was prompted by an experience that Dr. Moore had while serving as the assistant superintendent of the Seaman’s chapel in Glasgow, Scotland, one of the area’s outstanding evangelistic centers.He recalls:
I wrote ‘Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary’ after a most interesting experience. The company secretary of a large shipping firm telephoned the Seaman’s Chapel and requested that I visit a young merchant seaman who was lying critically ill in a Glasgow hospital. After getting permission from the nursing sister, I went in to visit the young sailor. I talked for a few moments and then put my hand in my case for a tract, not knowing which one I would pull out. It happened to be a tract based on ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’, with a color reproduction of Pilgrim coming to the cross with a great burden on his back. I showed the young seaman this picture and told him the story in brief, adding that Pilgrim’s experience had been my experience too. I explained that when I came to the cross of Christ, my burden rolled away and my sense of sin and guilt before God was removed. He nodded his head when I asked him, ‘Do you feel this burden on your back today?’ We prayed together and never shall I forget the smile of peace and assurance that lit up his face when he said that his burden was lifted!Later That Night
Later that night, sitting by the fireside with paper and pen, I could not get the thought out of my mind–his burden is lifted! I started writing, but never for a moment did I imagine that this little hymn would become a favorite throughout the world. Since that time, I hear of people all over the world who are being blessed and saved through the singing of this hymn.”Taken from Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions © 2002 by Kenneth W. Osbeck. Published by Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI.Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.
Hymn Lyrics
Days are filled with sorrow and care,
Hearts are lonely and drear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.Chorus
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Calvary, Calvary,
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.Cast your care on Jesus today,
Leave your worry and fear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.Chorus
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Calvary, Calvary,
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.Troubled soul, the Saviour can see,
Ev’ry heartache and tear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near.Chorus
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Calvary, Calvary,
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.
Listen and Sing Along with the Collingsworth Family
Pastor’s Wife (retired) & Chronic Pain Warrior blogs about how to make it through anything by relating her own life experiences to her writing. She is passionate about her love for the Lord and desires to spread that passion to others. She has a great desire to encourage women who are following behind her.
I enjoyed your post! I didn’t know this song until a couple of months ago when I was playing in a concert and it was one of the pieces in the programme! I really liked it so it is interesting to find out more about the story behind it. Visiting from FMF #16.
I’ve always liked it though many haven’t heard it, it’s a very uplifting song encouraging t\us to take our burdens to the cross. Thanks for coming by.
We are stubborn aren’t we? Christ calls us to lay our burdens at his feet. Instead of trying to carry them ourselves.
Right. And How many times do we lay our burdens down on the altar but stand up and pick them right back up again.
Even so, we gotta keeping trying to lay it down and leave it there. He so wants to ease our heavy burdens.
I love this hymn! Thank you for sharing the beautiful back story about it. Jesus truly does want to lift our burdens!
a truly wonderful hymn
Oh it is hard to beat the old hymns for the words and meaning is so profound yet also so simple. A Gospel message in themselves.
so true. I sometimes wonder if that is not the reason they aren’t sung. People have not had that experience or they are convicted by the words. Contemporary music seldom convicts the heart. It’s usually about “God is so good” which is true BUT there is more.
Thanks for coming by
When I first heard the prompt was the word, burden, that song was the first thing that came to my mind, thought I didn’t use it in my post. Thanks for sharing. Jesus is truly the burden lifter. Blessings to you!
Yes. It’s a great song to uplift our soul. Thanks for coming by.