The Burden Of The Lord

by T.W. Fullerton, Melbourne | Category: General | Aug 1976

A burden was placed upon the prophets of the Old Testament which they were to deliver according to the instructions they were given by the Lord. Sometimes the burden weighed so heavily that they desired release from it. It was so with Jonah. But when he attempted to evade his responsibility he was taught a very solemn lesson. The burden was placed upon him a second time. The people of Nineveh were ready to perish and he must go and give them the message that if they repented judgement would be averted.

The burden the prophets carried was the word of the Lord (see Jer. 23). Jeremiah was raised up to bring heavy tidings to Judah and Jerusalem. The people had sinned grievously and they must be warned of the impending destruction of their city and temple, and of their long captivity in a foreign land. If they heeded the word of the Lord, faithfully delivered, and turned from their evil ways, His wrath would be turned aside. But the burden must be delivered, whether they would hear or whether they would forbear (Ezek. 2:5). As Jeremiah prophesied he became aware that his message was being rejected. He was reproached and he repeatedly enquired why such a mission had been given to him. He laments: "I am become a laughingstock all the day, every one mocketh me... because the word of the LORD is made a reproach unto me, and a derision, all the day. And if I say, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name, then there is in mine heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain" (Jer. 20:7-9).

The Burden of the New Covenant

As it was with the prophets of the Old Testament so it was with those to whom the Lord committed the gospel. It weighed heavily. Peter, on the day of Pentecost, must charge the nation of Israel with the murder of their Messiah (Acts 2). Stephen must do likewise (Acts 6). And Paul cried, "Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel" (1 Cor. 9:16). The whole counsel of God must be delivered, "whether they would hear, or whether they would forbear". He must preach the cross although such a message was to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, yet it was the crowning proof of the love of God to man. But they must also hear of the sin of man and his hatred of his Creator which made Jew and Gentile join forces in crucifying the Lord of Glory. Men must hear of "tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek" (Rom. 2:9). In view of coming judgement it was necessary to urge "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21).

There are many instances in the Acts of repentance being wrought by the Holy Spirit as the gospel was preached (see e.g. Acts 8:26-40; 10:34-48; 16:31-33). Those who carried the message had the joy of bringing to such good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ. Joy or sorrow came to the hearers of the gospel depending on its acceptance or rejection. It was so in the examples referred to, and it was also the case at Iconium, at Corinth, at Ephesus, and elsewhere. But over and above this there will be eternal joy which will far outweigh the sorrow and disappointment encountered on earth. At long last the Bearer of the burden of mankind "shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied" (Isa. 53:11), and those who have carried to men the message of peace will share in His satisfaction as they see the vast host of the redeemed in a coming day, and among them some to whom they carried the word of God.

The Whole Counsel of God

In the New Covenant there is revealed what the apostle Paul called "The whole counsel of God". What is this? It includes all that is delivered to us in the Holy Scriptures regarding Jehovah the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. That is to say, His birth of a virgin, His sinless life, His atoning death, His triumphant resurrection, and His ascension to the Father. It also includes "the things concerning the kingdom of God" which were the subject of His instructions to His disciples during the forty days between His resurrection and ascension. The kingdom had been taken from Israel and given to His apostles. Earlier He had said to them, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). They were to be the custodians of that kingdom and they were to carry the burden of the word of the Lord concerning it. Those who accepted their testimony were to be baptized in water, thus acknowledging the authority of their Lord. Then they were to be gathered in churches of God, with a united oversight, being seen by men as a divine unity on earth. These churches together would form a spiritual house for God. They would be "a holy priesthood", and "a holy nation" (1 Pet. 2:5,9), under divine government. They would form the kingdom of God in this age.

This is but a brief summary of the burden of the Lord for our generation. Burden-bearers are needed; some to be evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. All of us can share in this burden. There is work among young people, there is the distribution of the printed page and there are many other avenues of service. There is a burden for me!

"Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?"

T.W. Fullerton, Melbourne | Aug 1976
General