Sharing With Jesus Christ
This is an audio recording of Sharing With Jesus Christ the Day 22 entry in Today for Seafarers (Vol. 1) devotional by Jason Zuidema.
Listen to the audio by Sheila Margerrison or read the text below:
“Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what
you were pleased to do.
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””
Sharing is a very interesting concept in the Bible. Normally we think of sharing in mathematical terms—“you get half, and I get half.” But in fact, Christian sharing is more like “you get all, and I get all.”
This is important to understand when we consider the most profound emotions in life: suffering and joy. The Christian approach to suffering is not one that says: I do not want anything to do with suffering. Instead, the Christian cares and shows compassion and even wants to share in another person’s suffering, in order to help bear the burden. Jesus himself promised that we would not have to bear our burdens of suffering alone.
Grief is a difficult thing that is a part of life on this earth. And death is terrible. For many people, it is terrifying. Death is a terrible consequence of the broken relationship we have with our Creator and his creation. And when death tears into the lives of our family and friends, God calls us to grieve together, sharing and bearing one another’s burdens.
As Christians, even in hard times that may include suffering and death, we can also share hope and joy. Scripture never covers up the pain and hurt of death, but it also never covers up the hope and joy promised to all who are in Christ.
In John 11:25-26 Jesus says: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” The hope we share is in Jesus Christ. By believing in him, we share in the death that he died for us; and through his resurrection we also share in his victory over death. In this way, says Paul, “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11).
This is the truth that we can share together!
For Further Thought
Can you remember sharing suffering or joy with someone else? Describe what happened.
How can Jesus Christ help you bear the burdens of your life?
What kind of joy can Jesus share with you?
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for taking our sin upon yourself, and for sharing the joy of your victorious life with us. In your name, Amen.
