“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Sometimes ordinary acts remind of us of heroic ones, and sometimes simple choices illuminate profound truths as satisfying as a splash of cool water on a sun-­drenched day.

When our eldest son Bill purchased his first home, every room begged two coats of paint. Within a few hours of calling Greg at law school, our second son was barreling five hours down the highway to provide assistance, leaving behind his own responsibilities and concerns to ensure that his brother had the help he needed.

My heart was full of joy as I pictured our boys working together to accomplish a necessary task. The job was too cumbersome for Bill to tackle alone so Greg willingly jumped into the fray.

Is it any wonder that our Father calls us to minister to one another, to bear burdens, to carry loads too heavy to bear alone? His Father’s heart applauds each time we put aside our own concerns and mount up to provide strength, comfort, or practical assistance to our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. We give our Heavenly Father pleasure when we act compassionately and lovingly serve those he has knitted together as his children.

It’s fitting that Christ showed us what perfect brotherly love looks like in the first place. Knowing we carried the burden of sin on our backs, recognizing that by our own efforts we could do nothing to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law, he came barreling down the highway of time and space to offer us eternal assistance. Surrendering his own will, he laid down his life on behalf of all men and women, making a perfect way for us to be forgiven and restored as his brothers and sisters.

Christ is “a brother born for adversity” who calls to us each day, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28).

Calvary made us family with Jesus. Redemption for our souls is what our Brother provided for us all.