Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
There are seasons in life when the weight on our shoulders feels almost physical, like an invisible load pressing us down from the inside. It’s the heaviness that comes from knowing we’ve fallen short, again, in ways we hoped we wouldn’t. We ask ourselves, “Why do I keep doing what I know isn’t right?” It’s a question every human being wrestles with, because the struggle between what we desire and what we know is right is universal.
In Scripture, “sin” is a word used to describe moments when we miss the target God invites us to aim for: the target of love, compassion, humility, honesty, faith, and wisdom. It’s not simply about breaking rules; it’s about drifting away from the life God designed for our good. Sometimes that drift comes through big choices with big consequences. Other times, it’s through subtle habits, slow compromises, or moments of silence when we should have spoken up. As James reminds us, “If you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that itself is sin” (James 4:17).
This isn’t meant to condemn us; it’s meant to awaken us. Every time we ignore what is good, loving, or wise, we undermine the very relationship God wants to build with us. We lean into selfishness, even though selfishness never fully satisfies. Sin always promises more than it delivers and always costs more than it first appears. Its greatest consequence isn’t guilt or shame—it’s the way it slowly creates distance between us and the God who loves us.
For generations, humanity struggled under the weight of that separation. We longed for connection with God but were unable to bridge the gap caused by our own brokenness. Yet in the middle of that helplessness, something extraordinary happened. Jesus stepped into human history: not as a distant judge, but as a compassionate Saviour, carrying the full weight of our failures on His shoulders.
Isaiah 53:6 puts it plainly:
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray… and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Jesus willingly carried what we could not fix. His death was not an accident or a tragedy; it was a loving rescue. Through His sacrifice and resurrection, the weight that once crushed us no longer has the right to define us. We are no longer ruled by our mistakes or trapped by guilt. Jesus opened the door to freedom, forgiveness, and restored a relationship with God.
We don’t receive this freedom because we are perfect or deserving, but because God’s desire has always been to draw us close. His heart has always been redemption. His posture has always been open arms. Through Jesus, what once blocked us from God becomes the very thing that brings us back into His embrace.
Even though we now belong to God, the internal battle between right and wrong does not magically disappear. We still face temptations, old habits, and hard decisions. But the difference is profound: we no longer face these battles alone. God does not step back and watch us struggle; He steps in and strengthens us. He knows that on our own, we could never overcome the patterns that pull us away from Him. That’s why His grace isn’t just a one-time gift—it’s an ongoing invitation to lean on Him daily.
Think for a moment about the things that are currently weighing you down. Maybe it’s a secret habit, a sharp attitude, a cycle of worry, a lingering resentment, or a decision you’ve been avoiding. Maybe it’s something you keep trying to fix in your own strength, only to end up exhausted. Now imagine taking that weight and placing it in Jesus’ hands. He doesn’t shame you for it. He doesn’t condemn you. He receives it with compassion because He already carried it for you long before you asked.
This is the heart of the gospel: the burden that crushes us is the burden Jesus came to remove. Forgiveness has already been purchased. Freedom has already been made available. You don’t have to strive for it; you simply have to receive it. Let God take what you were never meant to carry alone.
Amen.
SIX KEY TAKEAWAYS
Sin isn’t about breaking rules; it’s about drifting from the life of love and purpose God designed for us:
It weighs us down because it distances us from the God who wants closeness with us.
Everyone wrestles with doing what they know isn’t right:
This struggle doesn’t make you hopeless; it makes you human and in need of grace.
Jesus carried the weight of our failures long before we even recognised them:
His sacrifice removed the barrier we could never fix ourselves.
God’s forgiveness isn’t earned, it’s freely given out of His desire to restore us:
His heart has always been relationship, never condemnation.
You don’t fight the battle between right and wrong alone:
God offers daily strength, wisdom, and renewal to help you walk in freedom.
The weight you’re carrying is one Jesus already paid for:
Release it into His hands and receive the peace and freedom He promises.
