The Lighter Yoke

The Lighter Yoke
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, 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: 28-30
Life is full of burdens. We are burdened with responsibilities, with expectations, with our own desires, with the drive to accumulate possessions or seek pleasure. But Jesus has extended a twofold invitation to those who labor under those heavy loads: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me.”
The yoke was a farming implement—a wooden harness oxen wore so they could pull the plow. In using this term, Jesus is saying, “I have a work for you to do. And I want to take the reins of your life and begin to direct you.”
**It’s easier to live for God than to live for yourself.
Jesus then said, “Learn of Me.” In that phrase, He invites a scrutiny. The more you study Him, then the more you will love Him as you learn of His great love for you. And what was Jesus’ burden? His first recorded words were, “I must be about My Father’s business” (Luke 2: 49). Jesus lived to do His Father’s will. In saying, “My burden is light,” He is declaring that it is far easier to please God than it is to please yourself. Find the man who has peace and satisfaction, and you will find a man committed to Jesus Christ.
Lord, so many are troubled over the pressures of this life. But we thank You that even while living in this fast-paced world, we can still have rest in our souls by committing ourselves to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.