Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30

This article was culled from the book Inspiring Stories Behind our Best – Loved Hymns which I co-authored with Mr. Asante Danquah. Please enjoy and pass it on to others.

INTRODUCTION

Life is too bitter for some people because of heavy loads of burden they are carrying. Let us pray for these people.

John M. Moore, author and composer, relates, the following incidents as the basis for this beloved gospel hymn: I wrote “Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary” after most interesting experience. The company secretary of a large shipping telephoned the Seaman’s Chapel and requested that I visit young merchant seaman, who was lying critically ill in a Glasgow Hospital. After getting permission from the nursing sister, I went to visit the young sailor.

I found him glad to have a visitor and eager to hear what I had to say. I talked about general things for a few moments and then put my hand in my case for a tract, not knowing which one I would pull out. It happened to be a tract based on “Pilgrim Progress”, with a color reproduction of “Pilgrim” coming to the cross with a great burden on his back. I showed the young seaman this picture and told him the story in brief, adding that Pilgrim’s experience had been my experience too. The more I told him, the more anxious he became.

I explained that, when I came to the cross of Christ, my burdens rolled away, and my sense of sin and guilt before God was removed. By this time, the tears were running down his cheeks, and he nodded his head when I asked him, “Do you feel this burden on your heart today?”

We prayed together, and never shall I forget the smile of peace and assurance that lit up his face as he said that his burden was lifted! Later that night, sitting by the fireside with paper and pen, I could not get the thought out of my mind his burden is lifted! I started writing, and the words flowed on to the paper.

The tune was written at the same sitting, but never for a moment did I imagine that this little hymn would become a favourite throughout the world. Since that time, I hear people from all over the world who are being blessed and saved, through the singing of this hymn.

Commentary

Serious illness can be emotionally devastating. King Hezekiah was “sick unto death.” To make matters worse, the prophet Isaiah brought him the Lord’s message that this illness would be fatal. Hezekiah’s reaction is very illuminating for us.

The Bible reveals to us that, having learned that his illness was terminal, Hezekiah “wept bitterly” as he “prayed unto the Lord.” Note that God regarded both “Hezekiah’s prayer and his emotions – “I have heard thy prayer; I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee.” It’s OK with God if we are quite emotional in approaching Him with our healing needs.

Now let’s look at some examples of Jesus healing the sick, the infirm, the diseased, those in pain, etc. Jesus healed a broad range of illnesses – in fact, He healed “every disease and sickness.”

Matthew 4:23-24 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and HEALING EVERY disease and sickness among the people.

News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and healed them. Christians serve a healing Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Gospel records abound with illustrations of Jesus healing the masses, the men and women on the street. He preached and taught, yes. But He also “healed every disease and sickness among the people.” “Every disease and sickness”- Christ’s healing power is without limit. His healing touch is available to everyone. There is no illness beyond His ability to cure. He healed them all, including:

• Those “ill with various diseases”
• Those who were “suffering severe pain”
• Those “having seizures”
• Those who were “paralyzed”

So don’t hesitate to bring any healing need to Jesus, because He demonstrated He ability and His willingness to heal ‘every disease and sickness among the people.” – Jesus’ healing power was prophesied in the Old Testament.

Matthew 8:16-17 (King James Version) When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

God had this in mind all along. The prophet Isaiah spoke of it seven centuries before the New Testament era:

• Jesus would take up our infirmities.
• Jesus would bear our disease.
• Jesus would “heal all that were sick” to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah.

Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary

1. Days are filled with sorrow and care, Hearts are lonely and drear. Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.

CHORUS:

Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary;

Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.

 

2. Cast your care on Jesus today, Leave your worry and fear. Burdens are lifted at Calvary,Jesus is very near.
3. Troubled soul, the Savior can feel Every heartache and tear. Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.

Composer – John M. Moore (1925)

 

• Kindly note: You are warmly invited to join us for our programme, Meditations on Easter, on Saturday, 11th April 2026 at Christ the King Parish Hall at 8:00 a.m.

The theme is: “He Is Risen Indeed, Hallelujah!!! – The Transformative Power of the                   Resurrection” (Matthew 28:5; 1 Peter 1:3–4).

Our deepest desire is to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection more intimately                in our lives and to share the hope of the risen Lord with others.

Stay Blessed!

Please note that the preaching program on Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays at 5:30 am has been temporarily put on hold. However, please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays at 5:30 am and YFM 107.9 – Sundays at 6:30 am for our Radio Bible Study, as well as on Sunny 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm for Hymns and Their Stories.

 

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