One Anothering – Week 2 (6-8-25)
One-Another(ing)
Bearing Burdens
June 8, 2025
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Mark 15:21
A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.
Burden-bearing isn’t about fixing people—it’s about walking with them until they can stand again.
Galatians 6:1-5
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load.
Contradicting himself?
“Burden” (barē)
Root: baros —> weight, trouble, overbearing difficulty
“Load” (phortion)
Root: phortos —> cargo or a soldier’s pack
Matthew 11:30: “My yoke is easy, burden (phortion)…
Your load is yours to carry. But when the burden becomes a breaking point—That’s where the Body of Christ steps in.
Exodus 18:11-13
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
What is the Law of Christ?
John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
“The Law of Christ isn’t a list. It’s a life—shaped by love, carried out in community.”
Ultimately Jesus!
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Ask: Who’s carrying a burden near you right now? What would it mean for you to walk beside them this week?