Have you ever accepted Christ's invitation to "Take My yoke upon you?"
I'm still learning how to and it's a fresh grounded thought
that needs consideration. As a Rabbi, Jesus boldly invited anyone
who was willing to accept His Yoke.
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me," He said, "for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:29, nkjv).
When the first century Jews heard the word "yoke," it conjured images of one placing himself under submission. They were accustomed to submitting to the yoke of the law, the yoke of the kingdom, the yoke of the commandments and the yoke of God. To be honest, the yokes they thought about burdened them, constrained them and brought discouragement.
That's why the words of Jesus must have felt as free and refreshing as a summer breeze. Can you imagine what His audience would have thought as they heard the words "easy" and "light"? Can you imagine how they must have felt?
When Jesus used the word "easy" to describe His yoke, the Jewish listeners heard something very different from what you and I might perceive today. When we hear the word, "easy," we might think "simple" or "uncomplicated." But the Greek word for "easy" in this verse can mean "well fitting."
In ancient Palestine, a skilled craftsman would measure an ox and then fashion and sculpt a customized yoke for the animal from a piece of wood. Once the yoke was completed, the ox would be summoned to try on the masterpiece. If adjustments were needed, the carpenter would work a little more to make sure it fit just right.
William Barclay recounts a legend that spoke of Jesus, the carpenter, making the best ox yokes in all of Galilee. The story goes that people from all of Palestine came for His yokes, for they were of the finest craftsmanship and none fit better! The tale even goes so far as to say that above the door of Jesus' carpentry shop in Nazareth hung a sign that said: "My Yokes Fit Well."
That is a legend and no Biblical or historical evidence bears it out. But my heart gets the point. Jesus crafts His yoke to fit perfectly. Wearing His yoke is submitting to His Truth. Sometimes we confuse the yoke of religion with the yoke of Christ. Only Christ's yoke fits perfectly.
How do I know? I wear that yoke. And it does fit flawlessly--its constraints liberate me; its boundaries give me freedom and security.
The yoke Jesus offers each of us is easy. Well fitted. I would walk millions of miles just to have the privilege of bearing it. You see, to be beneath the yoke of Christ is to enjoy a meek and powerful life. It is to have my will bridled and under control...under God's control. To be "under control," which is not to be confused with "in control," is the easiest and least burdensome way to live.
Well, that's what's been percolating in me lately!
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