Monday meditation: Jesus cares about the burden we’re carrying
Today’s post is the first in a new series,
“Here’s What Jesus Does.”
Part One: He Relieves the Oppressed
Across our country and, indeed, around the world, followers of Jesus do what Jesus said he came to do: “proclaim good news to the poor. . . . proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, . . . set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
They take up residence in city slums, or distant villages made of sticks and mud, to lift scores of families and children out of poverty.
They establish agencies to free those held captive behind prison bars or at home by every form of addiction.
They offer insight and information and patient, listening ears to help cynics and skeptics discover God’s truth.
They come with compassion to the down-and-out throngs clumped around the edges of Western societies as well as the disenfranchised masses threatening stability in the Two-Thirds World. And in every hopeless situation, they bring methods and a message to lift oppression.
Bringing relief
Some reading this post participated in such efforts long before becoming caregivers.
Some have found ways to continue even when free time became limited, energy was depleted, or their budget was stretched thin. But not all. Some have been forced by the demands of caregiving to give up almost everything else. And each decision to step away from a mission they loved was another in their lengthening list of losses.
They may not call their situation oppression, but how else would we label the pressure experienced in sleep-interrupted bedrooms, anxiety-ridden living rooms, or everyday routines turned upside down by the need for walkers or wheelchairs?
Every caregiver coping with the ravages of dementia or stroke or cancer feels the weight of this oppression. And as we begin another challenging week, perhaps we can find at least some comfort in this: Jesus came to bring liberty to caregivers, too.
The weight caregivers carry is not natural. God did not cause it and does not ignore it. Followers of his Son in many circles seek to lift the burden for caregivers close by.
Needing relief
And so the challenge of today’s Scripture is twofold:
Those who know a caregiver can decide how God can use them “to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” The needs are all around us.
Meanwhile, caregivers can know Jesus cares too. The words he spoke to the synagogue crowd give us hope. About the ancient prophecy he asserted, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” And so we’ll pray, “Fulfill your mission once again, Lord, by relieving our oppression, too.”
Read: Luke 4:16-21 ESV
Pray: I’ll call my situation what it is, Lord: oppression. And I’ll celebrate your concern to bring relief to caregivers like me. Help me see and sense your peace as I give care this week.
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