The Way to the Top (Tuesday)

Galatians 4:4-5
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters.

Every year, around 1,000 people attempt to summit the world’s tallest mountain, Mt. Everest; however, only around 60% of these climbers actually reach the top. To climb to the summit, it generally takes around two months! The physical toll of the climb is extraordinary. Not only is the terrain dangerous, but at that altitude and with the level of exhaustion climbers experience, their bodies begin to have trouble doing very basic functions like breathing. Yet, even under these extraordinary circumstances, many climbers are still able to reach the peak, but none of them do it on their own.

For every climber, there is a native Nepali Sherpa who works behind the scenes to see that every climber has the opportunity to summit Mt. Everest. These Sherpas do everything for these climbers. Not only do they know the terrain, but they pack all the supplies on their back, set up camp to provide needed rest and guide each climber along the trail to the top. The burden of the climb is placed on the back of the Sherpa so that the climber can make it to the top. Therefore, in a very real sense, the Nepali Sherpas are the unseen force that makes summiting possible.

Moving to Galatians 4:4-5, we need to begin by asking ourselves the question, “What does it mean to be born under the Law?” In one sense, the Law is a burden placed upon mankind, revealing to us our inability to adhere to the standards of holiness that God has set out. Try as we might, with the overwhelming burden of our depravity, we are unable to summit the mountain of God’s holiness.

Yet, there is one who came to walk where we walk and on whose shoulders our burdens may be carried. The god-man, Jesus Christ, who walked the same path as mankind, shows us the pathway to a relationship with God. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus took upon himself the burden and guilt brought by the Law, all so that we might experience freedom. Because of Christ, we now are able to follow our guide as he leads us to the mountaintop where we find a renewed relationship with God.

Galatians 4:4-5 tells us that Christ was born under the Law so that He might fulfill the Law on our behalf. So, today, walk in freedom behind your Sherpa, Jesus Christ, who continually leads us to know and live a life for God each day.

What does freedom look like in your everyday life with the understanding that Christ took away the burden of the Law?

What weight or burden in your life needs to be given over to Christ today?


Almighty Father, we praise you that you sent your very Son to live just as we live and to take upon His shoulders the burden of the Law so that we might walk in freedom. May we be believers who follow after the footsteps of Christ as He leads us into a greater relationship with You. Amen.