THE ULTIMATE BURDEN

II Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

A couple of weeks ago, I watched a special HBO Sports film entitled, “Joe Louis—America’s Hero…Betrayed.” The film depicted Louis as America’s 1st true crossover athlete. Although he lived during a time of overt racism and segregation, he was highly admired and respected by blacks and whites alike. The film reported his importance during a crucial time in America’s history. From the Great Depression through the early 1950’s, Joe Louis was an American hero and the premier sports icon in the United States and as well as other parts of the world. Unlike today’s athletics, a great weight rested on the shoulders of athletes because of the serious social ramifications of the day. His championship fight with Germany’s Max Schmeling in 1938 was much greater than a boxing match—it was a showdown between America’s democracy and Germany’s Nazism. A tremendous responsibility rested on the shoulders of the two athletes as each man literally represented his country, its government and its people.



While these men shouldered a great load, the burden carried by Jesus is almost unimaginable. Since man’s fall in The Garden, an entire creation was in need of a Savior to redeem humanity back to God. Though the Old and New Testament patriarchs were great men and women of God, no one was qualified to die for our sins. But Jesus willingly accepted the responsibility to carry our sins to Calvary’s Cross and be resurrected from the grave just to save us. Paul informs us that “…he (The Father) hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (II Corinthians 5:21)


Feel like you’re carrying a great load? Tell Jesus about it—He understands.


Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for sending Jesus just to die for our sins. We pray that we’ll always remember and appreciate His Sacrifice on Calvary just for us. Remind us that we can come to You when faced with times of difficulty in dealing with the problems and responsibilities of life, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”



Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”

The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10