A mule might sometimes act like a horse, and at a distance even look like a horse, but it remained forever a mule.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Pumpkin Rollers)
“We who are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves.”
–Romans 15:1 (Amplified)
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“So often this road gets rough and rocky…” (unknown). Is this what Jesus meant by taking up His yoke? We must be careful when we begin to look at the Christian life and start complaining and crying out our woes thinking that this is the yoke of Christ. True, the yoke was a frame that joined two animals together so that they could pull a heavy load. But before I go any further, let’s read the Scripture from Matthew.
11:28 — Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
:29 — Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
:30 — For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (NKJV)
For sure, the yoke of the world is burdensome. Andy Starks writes, “The world is a hard taskmaster and cannot be pleased.” No matter what, the world always wants more. It is like the harsh master, Simon Legree, the work done is never enough. Work, work, work, and the body and soul rebels. It either rebels by breaking down, or it rebels by trying to escape through myriad means: drugs, entertainment, alcohol, and a host of other types of binges.
Jesus had been speaking to the Pharisees so He is referring to the yoke of the law. But, in reality, there is also the yoke of the world. The Pharisees put heavy loads on the peoples’ shoulders, the world burdens the body and soul down, then there is that enemy of our soul that tries to push us down to the pit. Oh, what a heavy load it is that man tries to bear. Jesus is speaking of a different kind of yoke–His yoke. D.A. Carson says, “That yoke is ‘easy’ (good, comfortable) and his burden is light. The ‘rest’ he promises is not only for the world to come but also for this one as well.” I want to read these verses again from Henry A. Harbuck’s translation”
.28 — Come here to Me [and become My disciples], all of you who are weary and heavy-laden–(that is, all of those who are toiling, working, carrying heavy loads and burdens and the weight of religious obligations which pertain to guilt and sin), and I will give you rest–(that is, I will give you peace and rest from your weariness).
.29 — Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me–(that is, permit Me to teach and guide you), for I am meek and gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls–(that is, you will obtain peace/quietness and assurance for you hearts or minds).
.30 — For My yoke is easy–(that is, My yoke feels good–it’s a perfect fit and it’s pleasant], and My burden (load) is light–(that is, My burden is nearly weightless, and it feels good).
Jesus is not saying that there won’t be troubles, trials, toils, and persecutions that the believer might face. He is, however, saying that when dealing with those things that the world throws at us that He will give us joy, rest, and peace in the midst of them–that is His yoke. The yoke He gives fits us perfectly and not only that, He is helping us carry the load. The burden is not totally upon us. “The expectations of Christ are much more easily met.” (Starks)
The heavy burden of the Law is no longer there. The heavy burden of guilt has been removed and there is now hope. There is rest when you work along side of Jesus; no longer is the burden yours to bear. If you find yourself toiling with the burdens of life, leave them at the Savior’s feet. Drop that heavy, worldly load and pick up the yoke that Jesus offers. He longs to help each one of us. The obstacles and toils of the road that is rough and rocky will not be easier to bear.
“Come unto me; I will give you rest;
Take my yoke upon you, Hear me and be blest;
I am meek and lowly, Come, and trust my might;
Come, my YOKE is easy, And my burden’s light.”
–Charles P. Jones (emphasis mine)
—————————–
“So often this road gets rough and rocky…” (unknown). Is this what Jesus meant by taking up His yoke? We must be careful when we begin to look at the Christian life and start complaining and crying out our woes thinking that this is the yoke of Christ. True, the yoke was a frame that joined two animals together so that they could pull a heavy load. But before I go any further, let’s read the Scripture from Matthew.
11:28 — Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
:29 — Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
:30 — For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (NKJV)
For sure, the yoke of the world is burdensome. Andy Starks writes, “The world is a hard taskmaster and cannot be pleased.” No matter what, the world always wants more. It is like the harsh master, Simon Legree, the work done is never enough. Work, work, work, and the body and soul rebels. It either rebels by breaking down, or it rebels by trying to escape through myriad means: drugs, entertainment, alcohol, and a host of other types of binges.
Jesus had been speaking to the Pharisees so He is referring to the yoke of the law. But, in reality, there is also the yoke of the world. The Pharisees put heavy loads on the peoples’ shoulders, the world burdens the body and soul down, then there is that enemy of our soul that tries to push us down to the pit. Oh, what a heavy load it is that man tries to bear. Jesus is speaking of a different kind of yoke–His yoke. D.A. Carson says, “That yoke is ‘easy’ (good, comfortable) and his burden is light. The ‘rest’ he promises is not only for the world to come but also for this one as well.” I want to read these verses again from Henry A. Harbuck’s translation”
.28 — Come here to Me [and become My disciples], all of you who are weary and heavy-laden–(that is, all of those who are toiling, working, carrying heavy loads and burdens and the weight of religious obligations which pertain to guilt and sin), and I will give you rest–(that is, I will give you peace and rest from your weariness).
.29 — Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me–(that is, permit Me to teach and guide you), for I am meek and gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls–(that is, you will obtain peace/quietness and assurance for you hearts or minds).
.30 — For My yoke is easy–(that is, My yoke feels good–it’s a perfect fit and it’s pleasant], and My burden (load) is light–(that is, My burden is nearly weightless, and it feels good).
Jesus is not saying that there won’t be troubles, trials, toils, and persecutions that the believer might face. He is, however, saying that when dealing with those things that the world throws at us that He will give us joy, rest, and peace in the midst of them–that is His yoke. The yoke He gives fits us perfectly and not only that, He is helping us carry the load. The burden is not totally upon us. “The expectations of Christ are much more easily met.” (Starks)
The heavy burden of the Law is no longer there. The heavy burden of guilt has been removed and there is now hope. There is rest when you work along side of Jesus; no longer is the burden yours to bear. If you find yourself toiling with the burdens of life, leave them at the Savior’s feet. Drop that heavy, worldly load and pick up the yoke that Jesus offers. He longs to help each one of us. The obstacles and toils of the road that is rough and rocky will not be easier to bear.
“Come unto me; I will give you rest;
Take my yoke upon you, Hear me and be blest;
I am meek and lowly, Come, and trust my might;
Come, my YOKE is easy, And my burden’s light.”
–Charles P. Jones (emphasis mine)