A Backpack of Bricks

He walked around with a backpack on. In a university town, that is not an uncommon sight. But his backpack was different, it was clear allowing you to see what he carried – BRICKS. His pack was full of bricks. Why?

Why would anyone walk around with bricks on his back? Does he plan to throw them? Is he studying architecture? Is he a preacher and this is an object lesson? The latter is the case. 

We all carry around the burden of our lives. Our burdens may vary, but we all have them. We carry the burden of our past. We carry the burden of our present and our future. We have the burden of fears and dreams. We load our lives down with the heaviness of our guilt, our mistakes, and our sin. The more we carry, the harder life seems and the more we feel the weight of our heavy load.

Our adversary, the accuser of mankind, makes certain, we remember our heavy backpack all day long. He reminds us of our past and our sin. He uses these burdens to convince us that we are worthless, helpless, and too far gone for help. “Scott, look at all that stuff you carry. It is all yours, you asked for this, and you wanted this. I know it is heavy, but only the weak ask for help. God is laughing at you for doing this. He warned you and you did not listen, now you have to carry this alone.” (insert evil laugh here) The more we listen to him the heavier the pack becomes as we add more and more feelings of guilt.

But there is someone else. There is another voice calling out. This voice says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 – LSB). Jesus is saying that He knows you have a heavy backpack but bring it to Him and let Him help you. The voice continues, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from ME, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and your will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30 – LSB). 

When we bring Christ our burdens of life, He takes our brick, puts it in His own pack and gives us a card with the word of His “Compassion.” When we bring Him the burden of our fears, He takes them and gives us His word of “Understanding.” When we bring him the burden of our guilt and sin, He takes them on His shoulders and gives us His word of “Forgiveness.” And, when we unload the burden of our unworthiness, He puts out his nail-scarred hands and gives us the word of His “Righteousness”. 

The apostle Paul, after reflecting on his own weaknesses, exclaimed, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?” Then he answers his own question, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25(a) – LSB).

Take your burden to the Christ and lay them down at His feet.

– Scott