At Matt 11:29 Jesus invites his disciples to take up his yoke. Then he reassures them, and us, that they won’t be abused by a harsh taskmaster who cares more about his bottom line than he does them. No, Jesus says, “I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.” So, in contrast to the work many of us do for worldly employers which enervates us, drains us, working with Jesus refreshes, energizes us. Jesus then explains why this is the case, “for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
But let’s back up a little, and define ‘yoke’. What Jesus was referring to had been used for thousands of years to harness the power of beasts of burden; these might be oxen, horses, mules, donkeys, and in some places, even dogs. (I don’t think anyone ever tried to harness cats.) The harness allowed one or more animals to pull a plow, a cart, a sled, or some other device for the owner’s benefit.
Our Creator had harnessed Jesus to accomplish a great work, provide a tremendous benefit – man’s salvation and reconciliation with our Father. That’s why Jesus invites all who wish to be his disciples, his trainees, to take his yoke upon their own shoulders. By word and example, he would teach them who their Father is; he would teach them about their Father’s loving nature.
Our Shepherd’s aim is to engage each of his followers in the work of seeing themselves and others through God’s eyes. He wants us to see people (including ourselves,) as God’s beloved children. This is most easily accomplished when we are doing the same work he is doing. That’s why he gave his disciples ‘the great commission.’ “Go therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
It is very difficult to change the direction a truck is pointing when it’s stationary; it’s much easier when it’s moving. Similarly, when we are moving as co-workers with Jesus Christ, it’s easier to change the direction of our life course, than when we are fulfilling our own ambitions. As we teach others about God’s love, and show them how they benefit by cooperating with Him, we ourselves learn those same truths in our hearts. As we work with Jesus, we see and experience him changing lives, and our faith grows stronger, we learn to love more deeply, and we feel more secure. We do feel refreshed.
Yesterday I had a couple of examples of this, and I prayed, “Thank you, Father, for allowing me to work with your Son.” In the morning, after a lengthy discussion, a friend commented, “I’m amazed at how often you bring up a subject I’ve been chewing on for a while.” Our morning discussions always revolve around our relationships with God and one another. I replied, “That’s our Shepherd leading us to green pastures.”
That evening I was talking with another brother who said that he felt unworthy to let Christ accomplish his miracles through him. So I shared a half dozen scriptures with him, beginning with He 10:22 which speaks about our having an evil conscience sprinkled with the blood of Christ and thereby cleansed. He reasoned on all the verses our Shepherd had me share, and then said, “So I’m to live, not out of what my old self tells me, but out of what God’s word tells me… thank you, Terry.”
All three of us were refreshed, they by newfound freedom, and I by the joy of knowing that Jesus is using me to accomplish his work.
Thank you for this article. I am especially appreciative of the ‘Take my yoke upon you’ concept.
Years ago, someone helped me with some insight on that idea. He said that it was custom to place a younger Ox together with a seasoned, mature one, yoked together. The younger one would have all the typical characteristics of youth, impatience, distraction, running ahead, laziness, stubbornness, etc. The yoke was tried, and If he proved himself willing to be yoked together with the elder, he would learn very efficiently, apparently appreciating the guidance to adulthood. If two young ones were yoked together, well, you could imagine how much work would get done, and how much trouble would be caused.
I have tried to go it alone (not trusting others), and tried living life yoked together with others (seeing if they are trustworthy, as I had proven to myself that I could not trust myself), and tried it with with the master.
I can attest that being yoked together with the master, following His guidance, IS the easier way, I can trust His guidance all the time. I don’t have to worry about the consequences. I am not burdened with whether I took the right path, or if I will be ashamed of my actions.
Instead, as you have testified, I receive heartfelt thanks from those He touches through me… we all rejoice in His presence and bring glory to His name. These are the times I don’t even feel as though I am doing the work… it really is Him doing the work (or us, together. Yoked).
Jesus is my example of what to do: do as I see my Father in heaven does, and say what He gives me to say… THAT’s easy and light. My work is to believe in Jesus and this way as the only way… at all times, and in every circumstance. May I continue to engage God as my helper.
Thanks, Terry
Thanks for your comment, Curtis.
I especially appreciated the following paragraph:
“I can attest that being yoked together with the master, following His guidance, IS the easier way, I can trust His guidance all the time. I don’t have to worry about the consequences. I am not burdened with whether I took the right path, or if I will be ashamed of my actions.”
Amen.