Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "burden". There are four different Greek words translated in the New Testament as "burden". We'll be looking at one of them from these two verses: 

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. KJV

Galatians 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden. KJV

These are both the Greek word "phortion". Strong's Concordance says: an invoice as a part of freight; a task or service. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a burden or load. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: something carried, something to be borne. The Theological Dictionary says: Jesus chides the Pharisees for imposing overheavy burdens with their interpretation of the law, which leads people away from God by substituting risualistic requirements for the real concerns of justice, mercy and faith, i.e. a right relationship to others and to God. In contrast, Jesus Himself promises rest to those who accept His light 'phortion', the discipleship which means fellowship with Himself and unity with the will of God. 'Light" here means light in weight or easy to bear. 

Many denominations, though they may have begun with the Truth, have themselves added 'burdens' , restrictions, requirements, rules, regulations, and doctrines that go beyond the freedom that our New Covenant has given us. They would be like modern day Pharisees! The only commandment that a born again believer has is found in Luke 10:27:

 And he replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. 

This fulfills all of the other commandments when we DO this! Doing what JESUS commands us to do frees us from all of those other heavy 'burdens'! We are then free to be led by Holy Spirit in every decision we make, led out with joy and led forth with peace! That makes a very light 'burden'! Here is Taya Gaukrodger of Hillsong UNITED with a new song called "For All My Life":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!