Friday, March 26, 2010

Being "Yoked" with Jesus

At first sight and thought, not many of us would want to be put in this contraption called a "yoke". It looks confining and painful; that it might mean we have to do or go somewhere that we don't want to, or that it's bound to be something about "work". But let's take the following scripture and look at it from the viewpoint of "walking in the Spirit".




Matthew 11:28-30
28. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. 30. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.


Jesus is asking us to team up with Him. To walk alongside Him day after day, to accomplish our tasks. Think about the work that one ox would have to do. It would need to carry a heavy load or it would be assigned the job of pulling a heavy wagon. Whichever one, it would be doing it by itself, without help.

God knows that as we travel through our lives that we will have many occasions to carry a heavy load. Whether it is in the area of responsibility for our family, or for a job, or a ministry, etc. God knows there are many loads to be carried in life. How much better it is when we "team up with Jesus" and let Him shoulder our burdens and responsibilities.

"Jesus invites you to a restful walk in tandem with Him, just as two oxen walk together under the same yoke. "How can a yoke  be restful?" you might ask. Because Jesus' yoke is an easy yoke. As the lead ox, Jesus walks at a steady pace. If you pace yourself with Him, your burden will be easy. But if you take a passive approach to the relationship, you'll be painfully dragged along in the yoke, because Jesus keeps walking. Or if you try to race ahead or turn off in another direction, the yoke will chafe your neck and your life will be uncomfortable. The key to a restful yoke relationship with Jesus is to learn from Him and open yourself to His gentleness and humility."

Many people don't want to be hooked up with Jesus. As an immature Christian we don't want Him "telling us what we should do", and we don't want Him convicting us which might feel like we are being forced to do something. A lot of the times we would really prefer that Jesus not know what we're doing; that He just wouldn't "look at us" while we are thinking about that cute co-worker, going to the bar with an all-nighter planned, or fudging on the tax return. We don't want to be without Jesus on "judgement day", but the rest of the time He can just live up in Heaven and leave us alone.

I spent way too many years trying to do things by myself. I want to be in "relationship" and by that I mean I don't want to do it by myself. I need Jesus right there with me constantly, leading guiding and carrying the load for me.

I heard that when a young ox is being trained in the yoke, it is placed with an older more experienced one. The older one carries the brunt of the load. Most of the weight is put upon him. The younger one must learn to pace itself, not too fast, and not too slow. It learns when to start and stop. It learns from it's partner how to be in "relationship". This is like Jesus. He asks us to let Him train us in life. Let Him carry the heavy burden while we depend upon Him.
If you are feeling like the weight you are carrying is too heavy, call upon Jesus, He will send the Holy Spirit to take the load.


    More next time.
  Have a great weekend,
  love,
Debra

10 comments:

  1. Thank you Debra for this most powerful word this morning. It was just want I needed to hear today. I keep 'passing' on your posts in the morning, telling myself I'll read them later. I struggle in the morning, because I just feel so very tired, so I will look through all the blogs while drinking my coffee. Then, at the last minute, I'll get ready and go to work. I've tried reading my Bible in the am, but my eyes become so heavy and sleepy. I'm convicted that I need to do this in the morning, but convince myself that I'll do it later (which I do not do).

    This morning I passed up your post, once again, and then went on to look at my favs. Then my computer froze, so I had to bring it all up again, but this time, I was just not able to pass up your post.

    Thank you Debra for being faithful to God, you are blessed with a wonderful gift, and I am truly blessed this morning!

    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Susie

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  2. dear debra,

    i love the idea of being yoked to Him, but
    it is sometimes a struggle to yield to His
    lead!

    also, we will be yoked to something, our
    selfist desires, the enemy's temptations.
    might as well yoke ourselves to what is
    good, light, and joyful!

    this is such a beautifully written and
    inspiring post. thank you.

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  3. Dear Susie, thanks for a refreshing and truthful comment. I know I'm there a lot. Sometimes things just take more effort than we have time for. Good intentions. I appreciate you sharing with us and I'm so so glad the Holy Spirit moved you here today. I pray every post that God will lead those here that He wants to speak to. So good to know you came by.

    Hi Lea, you're so right, if we aren't yoked to Jesus it's really easy to get yoked to something else. There is a vacuum in our walk if it's not with God. Other things can move us or push us if He's not the priority.
    Blessings,
    Debra

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  4. Thanks for all the reminders that you give us in each post. I know a lot of this already as I am sure many others do but we sometimes need to remember that we are not walking alone in this world.

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  5. Debra, I am with you. I want Jesus to carry my burdens. I tried it long enough on my own and find it much more peaceful to leave it all to Him. Great post!

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  6. Great Post! I'm trying to find other good Christian blogs like this. I love the honesty in the post.

    Have a blessed day!

    - Justin
    JourneyToTouchGod.blogspot.com

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  7. It is a continual act of surrender for me to cast my cares at His feet....
    Hugs, Ella

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  8. Debra, I loved this post. I love all of them, but i this one really touched me.

    Thanks for all of the work you put into maintaining this blog. I know it's a lot of work, faithful servant, and you're appreciated!

    Hope all is going fabulously for you!!
    Love ya, Jan

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  9. Hi Debra,
    I always thought that this yoke is quite easy!I just can't imagine how so many people live their life without sharing the yoke with Him and try to do it by themselves!

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  10. You wrote this almost 7 years ago, and yet I find myself here. Thank you for your words, listening to God and being honest about His truth. Being yoked to Jesus is the blessing! His like is easy when I choose to surrender to Him and His will. Why do I continually have to be taught this lesson!?! I regress now and then, but He loves me and is always waiting to see me back in sync with Him.

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