Jesus’ Yoke Is Easy And Light
The word “yoke” can be foreign to those of us living in an industrialized nation.
Basically, a yoke is a piece of wood that is used to hold two animals together, usually oxen, to help them share the load in pulling a till or a buggy of some sort.
The key here is that the yoke allows the animals to support each other in pulling the heavy weight.
As we live our lives, we are often times yoked by many things. We might be yoked with a personal decision that is weighing heavy on us.
We might even be yoked with a spouse who helps us in the hard times. We can even be yoked to sin as the Israelites were with Baal (Numbers 25:3). No matter how you look at it, we are yoked to something, whether good or bad.
Jesus tells us to come and take his yoke and we will find rest. Interestingly, Jesus doesn’t say he will take our burdens and attach his yoke to it as we stand by and watch.
No, he takes us under his yoke and carries those burdens with us along the way.
In turn, he takes the majority of the burden and makes it “light” for us. We also “learn” from Jesus as we carry the burden with him.
This allows us to learn to change from the inside instead of repeating the same wrong things over and over. Is there something pulling you down that you haven’t given to Jesus today?
Take off your yoke and join Jesus in lightening the load.
What I love so much about this devotion is the visual it gives for the meaning of Yoke. I can honestly say I never gave much thought to the meaning of that one word but wow, what a powerful understanding. It transforms that setting of scripture in such a powerful way. I pray today you are encouraged to learn from Jesus as you carry the burden with him, For His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 12:2
Put Down Your Burdens
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
A man driving his pickup truck on a country track saw a woman carrying a heavy load, so he stopped and offered her a lift. The woman expressed her gratitude and climbed into the back of the truck.
A moment later, the man noticed a strange thing: the woman was still holding onto her heavy load despite sitting in the vehicle! Astonished, he pleaded, “Please, Madam, put down your load and take your rest. My truck can carry you and your stuff. Just relax.”
What do we do with the load of fear, worry, and anxiety we often carry as we go through life’s many challenges? Instead of relaxing in the Lord, I sometimes behave like that woman. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28), yet I’ve caught myself carrying burdens I should offload onto Jesus.
We put down our burdens when we bring them to the Lord in prayer. The apostle Peter says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Because He cares for us, we can rest and relax as we learn to trust Him. Instead of carrying the burdens that weigh us down and weary us, we can give them to the Lord and let Him carry them.
I’m tired, Lord. I bring You my burdens today. Please keep them and carry them for me. Amen.
When we truly let go and let God it’s a beautiful thing, it’s a freedom beyond what your mind can even fathom, can even explain. It’s a weight that lifts that you can’t even explain. It’s a God thing that can’t be denied. When I read this I felt someone needed to be reminded of this, let go and let God! When you do you will experience a freedom that can’t be expressed with words. I don’t know who you are but God does and I am praying with you and for you. Today is your day to put down your burdens!!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 11:25-30