Sunday Scripture
In the practice of mothering, we become fairly adept at knowing when to step in and help our kids with their struggles. As “The Finder of Lost Things,” the sounding board for pondering important decisions, or even as a baby-sitter of grandchildren for tired parents who need a break, we love our children by coming under their burdens with them at all ages and stages of life.
God’s Father heart is on display in Isaiah 53:4, for 700 years before our Burden-Bearer came to Earth, God commissioned the prophet to begin singing the Servant Song of hope:
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4)
Speaking in the prophetic-perfect tense as if it had already been accomplished, Isaiah predicted that God had a plan for the consequences of our sin to be transferred to a Burden Bearer of his choosing. Sure, it would appear to those nearby that he was the guilty one as he hung on the cross, but an understanding of the narrative arc of Scripture reveals God’s intent from the very beginning to defeat the effects of sin–even death!
Matthew the disciple and Gospel-writer cited Isaiah’s words in connection to Jesus’s healing ministry: “This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.’” Healing of sick bodies, forgiveness of sin, and deliverance from guilt build to a crescendo in which one day even the power of death will be broken.
It’s my intention during these weeks leading up to Easter to spend some time every day in confession, repentance, and gratitude for our Burden Bearing Savior.
Will you join me?
Grateful for the Mercy of a Burden Bearer,
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Beautiful post, Michele. He spoke in the past tense as it was His intent from the beginning to defeat the effects of sin. This brings such hope of what is yet to come! Have a blessed Sunday!
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That idea of the “Prophetic Perfect” tense really captured my imagination. So much of what we hope for is already accomplished in the mind of God.
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I love how so many passages in the OT point to the coming of Jesus into the world to atone for our sins. Beautiful post, Michele!
Blessings!
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This Advent season I want to take a deep dive into Isaiah. I’m already excited about it.
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Great reminder scripture of all he suffered for us, and his forgiving us for all the affliction He suffered.
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Michele
I like your intentions leading up to Easter to spend some time each day in confession repentance and gratitude
I choose to start each day with gratitude even before my feet hit the floor .Then joy and when the sun comes up to say This Is The Day The Lord has made let us rejoice!Wonderful lenten pratices as we all are searching for ones
to praise God for.
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Great way to begin the day, Linda! And so far, my intention to spend time in prayer each day is going very well. Not perfectly, of course, but I’m seeing growth, and that’s a cause for celebration.
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Isaiah 53 is one of my favorite passages. What a blessing that God’s foretellings and promises are as sure as if they’ve already happened.
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That prophetic-perfect tense is so powerful! Thanks for pointing that little detail out because we shouldn’t miss that.
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That prophetic-perfect tense is so powerful – thanks for pointing out that meaningful detail!
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It really changes the way we think about the prophetic record if we are reading with that in mind. Thanks for thinking along with me here today!
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An attitude of confession, repentance, and gratitude is perfect for Lent. And for the rest of the year. Thank you for the good reminder, Michele. Happy Monday.
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It’s definitely a practice that I need lots of work on!
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Confession, repentance, and gratitude. What a powerful prayer combination. God bless you and thank you got your encouragement.
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And thank YOU, Grace.
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How often I forget that we have a burden-bearer! This post reminds me of the hymn “I Must Tell Jesus.” A hymn I need to remember more often.
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I haven’t thought of that hymn for ages. Thanks… I’ll be humming it now.
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Such a beautiful practice, Michele. I never ended up deciding on a particular path for Lent this year, so I’m enjoying hear about the practices of others and doing them in mini-versions as I read about them.
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That, in itself, sounds like a great practice!
Thanks for your fellowship in this season.
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I just wrote something yesterday that referenced Isaiah 53, Michele. Such a comfort to know that our Savior has “borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.”
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Isaiah has so much goodness to bring to our observance of Lent.
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I think burden-bearer is one of my favorite ways to describe Jesus. So thankful He comes alongside and lifts burdens off me!
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Me, too, and I wonder if that’s because my love language is acts of service?
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Love this, Michele! I’ve got an entire chapter devoted to burden bearers in The Heart That Heals. I felt it was an important topic to cover. Love your use of Scripture here. 🙂
Thank you for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
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Oh, I love coming back to that truth about the easy yoke and the light burden. Peterson said is so well: “unforced rhythms of grace.”
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So often I forget to confess. I go about my life aware that God already knows my heart and the things I’ve done wrong. But there is something powerful and healing about confessing with our mouths. Great reminder!
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It’s pretty easy to take grace for granted. What a sweet gift, and God invites us to lean into his love and forgiveness, but I’m afraid I often lapse into presumption.
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I never noticed it written in the perfect tense, like it had already happened. It makes sense to us reading it now, because it has happened. But back then, long before it had happened, must have been quite a clang to their ears. Making them stop and ponder. Thanks for this.
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I do love Isaiah from start to finish!
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[…] The Every Day Grace of a Burden Bearer […]
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Days are feeling heavy at the moment with worry about health issues. We should remember to have faith and love at all times, even in the darkest times. Thannks for linking up with #globalblogging
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Yes, these are the days when we need to remember we have a Burden Bearer who comes alongside us under the load.
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So very grateful for our burden bearer!
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Me, too, Lauren!
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[…] The Everyday Grace of a Burden Bearer by Michele Morin of Living Our Days is a perfect Lenten season read. I’m so thankful for a Savior with shoulders big and strong enough for all we lay on Him. Hop over to Michele’s blog and read the post! […]
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Dear Michele: On request from some of the viewers who were encouraged with this message, I am forwarding you the link to a message of hope and deliverance. It would be nice if this testimony reaches someone in need and they feel uplifted with the Word from the Lord. Please feel free to post this on your site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fetuHjfsro
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Thank you.
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