Did you know I'm a city girl turned farm girl? It's true, I totally grew up in the city and then married a farm boy. So, excuse me for a moment as I get a little farm girl on you, but I promise this is really cool.
Have you ever wondered what in the world a yoke is? It is a piece of farm equipment that is like a harness, used for oxen to get them to pull a cart. Typically, there would be one yoke for every two oxen.
Now, what I'm about to break down for you is coming out of a fantastic book that I highly recommend called Sparkling Gems by Rick Renner.
In Matthew 11:29, Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you." The Word "take" is the Word that implies that one must deliberately invite Jesus into the harness so He can help you pull the plow. I think we miss the mark over and over again by taking control of "the plow" and deliberately ignoring Jesus, instead of inviting Him in.
The Word "yoke" is the Greek Word Zugos. It describes the wooden yoke that joined two animals together. Yoked, they could combine their strength to pull a load that generally would have been too difficult for one animal to pull by itself. This yoke made the two animals inseparable; they couldn't get away if they tried! As a result, they were stronger, and their combined strength made their task more manageable. We miss the mark by vastly misunderstanding how powerful being "yoked" up with Jesus is!
I love to involve my children in tasks that I know I don't really need their help in. The job, if I did it myself, would get done so much quicker. So, why do I ask for their help? Because I enjoy their presence, and I love seeing the joy on their faces when I say, "Wow, honey, you are so good at that, I appreciate your help so much!" The same is true for God, He doesn't need our help, but He enjoys our presence and participation.
Becoming "yoked" to Jesus is about what God can do for you, not what you can do for God. Accepting this invitation to take His yoke upon your life, is a choice you make, NOT something that occurs accidentally.
The illustration Jesus is teaching here in Matthew is chock-full of peaceful points.
Taking His yoke is a choice He invites you into.
Being yoked together makes a job much easier and manageable.
God doesn't need your help, but He desires it because He loves you so much.
That is why the Lord went on to say, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
The only time the load becomes overbearing is when we try to take over and do the pulling or handle the burden ourselves.
Come to Jesus, invite him in, and He will give you rest.
Another invitation!
Teens Day! If you know a teen struggling with anxiety or depression please tell them about this event.
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Much love to you all,
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