The Greek word for “burden” in our verse and the word “load” in verse 5 of our reading are the same as the word used in Acts for loading cargo onto a ship. It is the load which God gives us to carry. It may be a stressful job, family responsibilities, the Christian works which He gives us particularly to do. This burden we are responsible for carrying.


But the Lord calls us to come to Him constantly to be partnered, yoked, with Him. We are invited to experience “the unforced rhythms of grace” (The Message) and thus to find rest in the burden carrying.


On the other hand, the word for “burden” in verse 2 of our reading is a different Greek word which means something pressing and hard to bear, the distressing and difficult things that all people encounter routinely in life. These burdens are what we are called to help others carry, as far as we can, with prayer and practical help.


As we all understand the walls the Lord has built for us, we see how He has carried the weight of the world on His shoulders for us.