SIN IS HEAVY

We have all experienced the weight of sin. When we do things that we know are wrong, it can make us feel bad, especially when our sins have hurt more than just our consciences. There are times when the weight of our sins will keep us in a depressed state of mind and can even affect our health.

I am sure we have also experienced the weight of sin from others. When someone betrays you, deceives you, or stabs you in the back, it can pierce you through your soul and cause you to break down and cry. I know it can be painful to do, but take just a minute to think about how your sin and the sins of others have damaged relationships and harmed the kingdom of God. The weight of sin we have experienced in our lifetimes may seem like a heavy load, but consider how light our loads are compared to the load Jesus bore for us on the cross.

It was part of God’s plan before man was created that Jesus would bear the load of man’s sin (Eph. 1:4). Comparing our loads to His would be like comparing the weight of a flea to the weight of a whale. When we think about the agony that the weight of sin in our lives has caused, it helps us better appreciate the massive load of sin that Jesus was taking on. Consider the following verses while trying to comprehend the weight of sin put on Jesus’ shoulders.

Luke 22:39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  40 When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Jesus was being crushed by the weight of sin that was being placed on Him. He knew what torture awaited Him in order that He might die for us all. As He prayed to the Father, the weight of man’s sin caused His sweat to become like great drops of blood.

There are different thoughts on whether this was speaking of the rare condition some have that causes them to sweat blood under great stress or if this was describing the heaviness of His sweat. I can see it as sweat mixed with blood because Jesus had more stress put on Him at that moment than anyone ever has. Even if it just describes the heaviness of His sweat, it still shows the great stress He was under because it would not have been hot during that time of the year or during that time of day.

So, let us never forget what Jesus was willing to do for us and what He had to endure so we could have power over sin. Sin separates us from God, but thanks to Jesus, we can now overcome sin through Him. He bore the heavy load of our sins, and we can now experience the freedom from sin that comes from being in Jesus.

As Jesus said:

Matthew 11:28  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Though Jesus bore the heavy weight of sin, sin still has power in your life if you choose not to live for Christ. Why not obey the gospel today by hearing the word (Rom. 10:17), believing (Jn. 3:16), repenting (Lk. 13:3), confessing (Rom. 10:9-10), and being baptized for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38). Once your sins are washed away in the watery grave of baptism (Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21), you must remain faithful till the day you die (Rev. 2:10). We do this by continuing to walk in the light (1 Jn. 1:7). If you are willing to do these things then you will reap the spiritual benefits Jesus has made possible for us through His death on the cross. It is up to you to decide because God has given you free will. Remember, Jesus loves you and hopes you will choose Him over the world.