Monday: “Take My Yoke Upon You”
Read Matthew 11.29-30. Why does Jesus command us to take His yoke right after He has invited us to give Him our burdens and find true rest?
After the first imperative “come” in Matthew 11.28, two more imperatives follow in Matthew 11.29.
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
“Take” and “learn” focus the attention of the audience (and the reader) on Jesus. We are to take His yoke and learn from Him.
The intimate relationship in the Godhead between the Father and the Son (already intimated in Matthew 11:25-27) offers a powerful illustration that may explain the yoke metaphor in these verses. Both the Father and the Son are working unitedly to save humanity. While the yoke is a symbol of submission (see Jeremiah 27), it is also a metaphor illustrating united purpose. We submit to His yoke and accept the task He gives us to bless those around us. We are not carrying His yoke; we are just yoked to Him because His yoke “is easy” and His burden “is light” (Matthew 11:30).
The second imperative “learn from Me” reiterates this concept. In Greek the verb “learn” is connected to the term “disciple.” When we learn from Jesus, we are truly His disciples. Obedience and commitment are characteristics of discipleship.
What is the difference between being “heavy laden” ( Matthew 11.28) and taking up His yoke ( Matthew 11.29)?
The yoke was a common metaphor in Judaism for the law. Acts 15:10 uses it in reference to the law of circumcision. Galatians 5:1 contrasts the liberty Jesus offers with the yoke of bondage, which is a reference to the law as a means of salvation. Being yoked to Jesus emphasizes obedience and commitment to follow in His footsteps and to participate in His mission. While we cannot hope to add anything to the salvation that Jesus won for us on the cross, we can become His ambassadors and share the good news with those around us. Jesus’ interpretation of the law, as demonstrated in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is even more radical than the Pharisees’ take on it. It requires heart surgery and transforms our motives — and, His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).
| What a wonderful promise! Rest for your souls. How have you experienced that rest? What is it like? By focusing on Jesus and on what He offers us, how can we begin to know that rest? |
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In the days when I was a lecturer, I had an open-door policy. Students could drop in with their problems at any time and we would chat about them and do some work together. Typically when a student arrived at my door they would have worked on the problem for some time and were not getting anywhere.
We used to have some great conversations. The idea was not to give them the answer but to help them to see the way forward. Often, I would start by asking them to state the problem clearly in their own words. And it was amazing, the number of times a student would do that and suddenly they would exclaim, "I see it now!" and off they would go with a fresh insight into how to solve the problem without me saying anything nore. Most of the students had worked on their problem but had reached an impasse because they kept thinking the same way about the problem. The trip to my office was a chance for them to step back and see the problem in a new light and give them a new direction.
The interesting thing was that the problem was still the same. Their visit with me simply gave them a new vision of how it could be solved.
In a similar way, when Jesus says,
he is giving us an opportunity to take a rest from our problems. He gives us the chance to step back from the problem and gain new insight. Some may call it the work of the Holy Spirit.
That experience with Jesus is what we need to solve our problems. The interesting parallel with my student experience is that the problem is still the same. Being with Jesus makes the yoke easy and the burden light, and the solution possible.
I like how the author stated "Both the Father and the Son are working unitedly to save humanity. While the yoke is a symbol of submission (see Jeremiah 27), it is also a metaphor illustrating united purpose. "Take" I have to take or accept being united with Christ. The yoke is not forced upon me. "Learn of me" Christ is the master educator (sorry Maurice :o) By reading Christ (the word made flesh) we will come to a better, deeper understanding of Jesus unity with his father. Which is one thing he desires to have with us as well. The biggest lesson for me to learn will be submission. The willingness to say not my will but your will be done. It is only by submission to the will (yoke) of God that we can become united with the Godhead.
Jesus' invitation must be compared with His other teachings on this matter. For example, He taught that we are to abide in Him as a branch abides in the Vine(John 15:5). In another place He tells us that if we would follow Him(His example of righteousness), we are to “deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me”(Matt 16:24). So the yoke simply means to follow Jesus wherever He leads. In the Revelation we read that those who stand faultless before God at last have “followed the Lamb withersoever He goeth”(Rev 14:4). In other words, they observe what ever He has commanded them(Matt 28:20). Taking the yoke is simply making a choice to follow Jesus' example and teachings. The following portion of this passage helps us understand HOW we take His yoke upon us.
Where does Jesus say “give Me your burdens”? This “yoke” allows Jesus to help us with bearing OUR burdens. By obedience to His commandments/instructions, our burdens become easier to bear. For example: health reform is a great blessing to any who follow it. Like Daniel, prove it for yourself!
“What is it like?”
Exactly as Jesus describes it: “easy...light, and you shall find Rest...”. This experience is available to all who “repent and believe the gospel”(Mark 1:15). However, great trials await all who take Jesus' yoke. Look how it went for Him!
Good morning I am not getting what yoke means. If we are called to take His yoke upon us because it's easy. Then what is this yoke. Jesus's mission was to die so that man can be redeemed set free if we accept His atoning sacrifice. If we are called to be co-laborers then how can His yoke be easy unless i am not understanding what yoke means in this context
jesus mission is not yoke according to the context of the lesson
Hi Paula, the yoke is something that UNITES two people in common purpose and goals. The yoke of a marriage is commitment to one another. When you are united you share common purpose, goals etc. IF submit my will to the will of God then I will be yoked with him in all aspects of my life. When we submit our will to God we will find that he gives us the strength to overcome our sinful tendencies. We don't have to traverse that struggle alone because we are yoked (one in purpose) with him. 1 John 5:3 tells us that God's commandments are not grievous. That's his yoke being easy. Because we love God we yearn to be more and more and more like him. Because the Godhead loved you so much, for Jesus the path he took to save you, Paula, while difficult for Jesus was not seen as hard because YOU are worth the cost. So the yoke was easy. I'm rambling so I hope that makes sense.
Daddy and I are out for a swim. We have a “May pole”8 foot long with us. ( a cork like wood) we get caught in a current . I begin to struggle, daddy a very strong swimmer tells me hold to the maypole and together we steadily proceed to shore. In reality daddy is the power that brings us to shore .I am just holding the pole.Holding the pole is easy . The burden , the fight against the current to me is light because daddy is the one bearing the burden of fighting the current. When yoked to Jesus He fights our battles
Jesus' yoke is easy and His burden is light because He has already done all of the heavy lifting. Christianity is the religion of the easy yoke and the light burden. Unfortunately, that is not how it is usually presented.
Hi Stirling. Yes, I believe our "labor and heavy burden" (Matthew 11:28) is our works of the law to achieve our own righteousness while "His yoke" (Matthew 11:29) is Christ's perfect works and righteousness credited to us when we believe in Him.
Indeed, Christ has already done the heavy lifting. Thus, His righteousness is light for us in the sense that it is a free gift by grace, received by faith and unmerited by ANYTHING we do.
What about Ps 40:8? If yoked with Jesus, could that be our experience too?
When we surrender to God in Christ Jesus, we can take to Him every burden, every worry, every care and every disappointment. We can talk to Him about every joy, share with Him every excitement, and every loss or victory. He will respond to us.
As we are surrendered, He sends His Spirit to lead and direct us in every concern. Business, social or spiritual matters that impact our lives are His concern. He unravels our perplexities, manages our needs and even our wants. He comforts us in losses and is tangible company when we’re alone.
There is no need presented or felt that He doesn’t respond to. He directs when the way isn’t clear. He gives us answers to difficulty when we don’t understand or know what to do. Often He clarifies when things are obscure. He forgives mistakes and outright sin, and makes a clear path for overcoming if we trust in Him. Our prayers of concern for loved ones are all heard and responded to.
For me, in this troubled life, all Christ Jesus has promised and is doing for us has definitely made my yoke much easier and my burdens lighter. The alternative, which involves doing things on my own or following culture and society in ‘world-wise’ foolproof and proper ways to deal with life lead to heaviness of heart, a troubled mind and a guilty or hardened conscience.
Jesus’, love specifically includes me and you individually.
Jesus is the only way to find rest that brings consistent comfort and peace, no matter what.
Greetings to you all!
In Mt.11:29 Jesus says take up MY yoke.... But in Mt.16:24f, he says take up YOUR cross.... Pls. How do I reconcile the two?