Take my yoke upon you and learn from me Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 What does the yoke of Jesus refer to in the gospel? The Jews used the image of a yoke to express submission to God. They spoke of the yoke of the law, the yoke of the commandments, the yoke of the kingdom, the yoke of God. Jesus says his yoke is easy. The Greek word for easy can also mean well-fitting. Yokes were tailor-made to fit the oxen well. We are commanded to put on the sweet yoke of Jesus and to live the heavenly way of life and happiness. Jesus also says his burden is light. Theres a story of a man who once met a boy carrying a smaller crippled lad on his back. Thats a heavy load you are carrying there, exclaimed the man. He aint heavy; hes my brother! responded the boy. No burden is too heavy when its given in love and carried in love. Jesus offers us a new kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. In his kingdom sins are not only forgiven but removed, and eternal life is poured out for all its citizens. This is not a political kingdom, but a spiritual one. The yoke of Christs kingdom, his kingly rule and way of life, liberates us from the burden of guilt and from the oppression of sin and hurtful desires. Only Jesus can lift the burden of sin and the weight of hopelessness from us. Jesus used the analogy of a yoke to explain how we can exchange the burden of sin and despair for a burden of glory and yoke of freedom from sin. The yoke which Jesus invites us to embrace is his way of grace and freedom from the power of sin. Do you trust in Gods love and submit to his will and plan for your life? Lord, inflame my heart with love for you and for your ways and help me to exchange the yoke of rebellion for the yoke of submission to your holy and loving word. Set me free from the folly of my own sinful ignorance and rebellious pride that I may I wholly desire what is good and in accord with your will.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 11:56:29 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015