Today we are going to look at what it means to take Jesus’ yoke upon us. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matt. 11:28-30
The different books of the Bible were written during certain times and to certain cultures. The imagery used was familiar to the recipients but is not necessarily as familiar or understood in the same way to us. The way to correctly interpret a passage is to go back to the time of writing and determine what was meant at that time. This is an agricultural reference. What did a yoke look like in Jesus time? He says we should take His yoke upon us, but what did that mean? This isn’t meant to be an allegory, but the imagery is important. Here is a Biblical picture of being yoked together:
To be yoked together, we have to put our head in the yoke and be attached to Christ. In the early centuries, the yoke was a term used synonymous with ‘submission.’ We have to initiate the willingness to be yoked to Christ. Imagine a bucking broncho with his head in the yoke! It wouldn’t make for an easier load but a rather painful one! There has to be a willingness to some degree. And just as the oxen move as one, so when we are yoked to Christ, we move and follow His way as one. A yoke is easy and light when it is shared, and the one ox follows the other. The yoke was made of wood and was carved in such a way that it would not hurt the oxen and would not be heavy on the neck but it isn’t very successful if one animal goes left and the other right. However, if one submits to the leadership of the other, one leads and the other follows. There is a surety in knowing that you won’t go too far off the path if you are yoked to and in submission to that person.
I am reminded of Joseph in Matthew 1:19, 20: “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her [Mary] to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’…”When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” (Matthew 1:24) We are told that Joseph is a righteous man. He is also a kind man because he had the right, at the time and in the culture, to have Mary stoned to death. But instead, he decides to divorce her quietly. He still cares about her. Ending the relationship is obviously the wrong decision so what does God do? He leads Joseph on the right path by having an angel appear to him in a dream and explain what is happening. And when Joseph wakes up, he takes the new path. He changes his decision and takes Mary home as his wife. Looking to God, and in submission to Him, Joseph changes his plans.
When we are yoked to Christ, we look to Him for guidance and wisdom. He will lead us as He has promised, and if we get on the wrong path but our hearts are following hard after Him, He will redirect our steps. To be yoked, the one must submit to the other.
Jesus invites us to take His yoke upon us. He invites us to follow Him and in doing so, we will find His yoke is easy and His burden is light. What is the secret to getting out from under our burdens and the things that make us weary? It is to yoke ourselves [submit ourselves] to the One who loves us and cares for us and in fact died for our sins. And as we look to Him every step of the way, He will give us rest.
Our song for today is Not in a Hurry by United Pursuit.