Burden Bearers

This picture was taken in a traditional market in the city of Jambi. The sack of produce that this man is posing for a picture with is easily 60 to 75 pounds. Because of hard physical labor, men and women on Sumatra are often incredibly strong.

But it’s not the physical burdens that Indonesians bear that break the hearts of workers; it’s the spiritual burdens. Most Indonesians are trying their best to shoulder their burden of sin by doing good works to atone for bad thoughts and actions. Those who feel successful often become self-righteous and judgmental. Those who feel like failures give up and sink into sin like a pig wallowing in the muck and mud. The message of grace is desperately needed.

Many Sumatrans are proud of their efforts to live upstanding lives before God, and any suggestion that their good works are not sufficient to pay their sin debt are met with anger and rejection. The standard phrase is, “My religion is my religion and your religion is your religion.” Sadly, the problem is not a question of religion, but of truth. Sumatrans are also incredibility strong at doing religious works, but the truth is no amount of good work can atone for the terrible debt of sin.

Pray for the men of Jambi to realize that the true burden of sin would break their strong backs.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to help the people of Jambi to put down their sin burdens and take up the grace of a risen and victorious Savior.

Pray for believers in Jambi to not succumb to the cultural idea of “earning” salvation by good works.

Pray for those in Jambi who have received salvation to be bold in sharing the Gospel with those around them. Pray that they will not have a spirit of fear or timidity.