Thanks for the Yoke
“At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
“’All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
“’Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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 soul. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’” Matthew 11:25-30
In biblical times a yoke was a wooden bar or frame fitted over the necks of draft animals (usually two oxen). This allowed the animals to pull heavy loads that one animal was unable to manage alone.
It sat on the shoulders/ neck, often with curved pieces or straps that held each animal in place. A well-made yoke was designed to distribute the load evenly between the two animals. A poorly fitted one rubbed, galled and could cut the animal’s neck and exhausted them.
Here it is used as a metaphor of the discipline of discipleship. Jesus discipleship is not intended to yoke us to the law, nor does it mean we are free from all constraint. Jesus ‘yoke’ is easy because it is personally crafted by Him so we learn from Him as we walk beside Him.
One last thought, the Greek word translated as “easy” (chrēstos) implies kindness, goodness, something well-suited. A yoke that does not cut the neck and we can all be thankful for that.
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Take care with love, especially His, from Darlene, who still prays for you each day.
PS: You can also find the devotions on line/ on your mobile phone here: www.weakdaydevotion.com .
NOTES: I choose to believe the Bible because it's a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They reported supernatural events that took place before, of specific prophecies; and claim that their writings are divine rather than human in origin.
The Five Solas: Individuals are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture alone to the glory of God alone!
Find my full statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (where you will also find a series of Bible studies). For the books, go to Amazon books. For prayer requests/ updates, email: darlenerichard@gmail.com