On Wednesday, Hunter Gandee, 16, set out from Temperance in southeastern Michigan carrying his 70-pound brother, 9-year-old Braden, who has cerebral palsy and can't walk without assistance.  The duo expects to reach the state Capitol in Lansing on Monday, stopping at schools along the way.  This year, Braden plans to complete the final half-mile using a walker.

The brothers have made similar walks over the past two years.  In 2014, Hunter carried Braden forty miles.  They traveled 57 miles together in 2015.

Included in the Associated Press article about the brothers was an overview of cerebral palsy: “Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that affects the body’s ability to move. It is caused by damage to the brain around the time of birth. Cerebral palsy affects the muscles, movement, and balance. Treatment plans involving therapy, medication, and surgery are used to reduce the impact of symptoms and support independence.”

The pair has also done other things to raise awareness and funding for those who suffer from the condition.  Two years ago, while being held in his brother’s arms, Braden tossed the ceremonial first pitch in Detroit’s game against the Colorado Rockies.  Hunter was also involved in a project last year to raise money for an accessible playground at Braden’s school. *

As these brothers make their long walk together, perhaps the elder brother would echo the sentiment from the old song sung by the Hollies:

“So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.”

Jesus made a long walk for you and for me.  He made this long walk after being scourged though He was innocent of any wrongdoing.  In His physically weakened state, He carried a cross to Golgotha outside Jerusalem, where He would be nailed to that very cross.  And on that cross He bore our sins so that we might be saved and receive the gift of eternal life.  “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

So on He went
Our welfare was His concern
Our burden of sin
He bore for us
So that we could live with Him
Eternally.

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  Then, if we will continue to follow Him faithfully, He will continue to cleanse us from sin and lead us to an eternal home in heaven (1 John 1:7).

Won’t YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life on His terms?

-- David A. Sargent