March 17, 2015
An emblem of work hardly seems a fitting symbol for rest.
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
A little agricultural lesson is necessary to make sense of Jesus’ words. In ancient times two animals - usually oxen - would be paired in a yoke to pull a plow or other farming tool through a field. If one animal was stronger, the other animal merely had to keep facing the same direction and moving at the same pace. The work largely fell to the stronger animal.
The weary and heavy-laden are invited to put their neck in the yoke with Jesus. He is the stronger “animal” in the yoke, and will carry the work load, if we meet two important conditions: (1) we face in the same direction with Him; and (2) we keep pace with Him. He declares that He is “gentle and humble in heart," so we don’t have to worry that He will be like a wild donkey - bucking and fighting the yoke and causing us stress and pain. He assures us that He moves at a steady pace along a simple path.
We face two choices in our life journey: go it alone, or pair up with Someone possessing superior strength and a sure path. Jesus’ offer is gracious and generous, but again the conditions are extremely important: keep facing in the same direction, and moving at the same pace.
Lest we think Jesus offers the weary and heavy-laden life in an easy chair, never lose sight of the fact that a yoke is a symbol of work. But, what He offers is refreshing, fulfilling work. The common problem of burnout is not so much overwork as it is work without purpose and meaning. Jesus offers fulfilling, rejuvenating, gratifying work. As the words of an old hymn suggest, “There is joy in serving Jesus.”
The yoke is fitting symbol of the life of a follower of Christ. We are paired with Him for meaningful work, moving in the same direction, at the same pace, as He does the bulk of the work. Perhaps we each do well to find a picture of a yoke to place visibly where we will see it often.
Committed to the same work, the same direction, and the same pace. What could be more important?
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
A little agricultural lesson is necessary to make sense of Jesus’ words. In ancient times two animals - usually oxen - would be paired in a yoke to pull a plow or other farming tool through a field. If one animal was stronger, the other animal merely had to keep facing the same direction and moving at the same pace. The work largely fell to the stronger animal.
The weary and heavy-laden are invited to put their neck in the yoke with Jesus. He is the stronger “animal” in the yoke, and will carry the work load, if we meet two important conditions: (1) we face in the same direction with Him; and (2) we keep pace with Him. He declares that He is “gentle and humble in heart," so we don’t have to worry that He will be like a wild donkey - bucking and fighting the yoke and causing us stress and pain. He assures us that He moves at a steady pace along a simple path.
We face two choices in our life journey: go it alone, or pair up with Someone possessing superior strength and a sure path. Jesus’ offer is gracious and generous, but again the conditions are extremely important: keep facing in the same direction, and moving at the same pace.
Lest we think Jesus offers the weary and heavy-laden life in an easy chair, never lose sight of the fact that a yoke is a symbol of work. But, what He offers is refreshing, fulfilling work. The common problem of burnout is not so much overwork as it is work without purpose and meaning. Jesus offers fulfilling, rejuvenating, gratifying work. As the words of an old hymn suggest, “There is joy in serving Jesus.”
The yoke is fitting symbol of the life of a follower of Christ. We are paired with Him for meaningful work, moving in the same direction, at the same pace, as He does the bulk of the work. Perhaps we each do well to find a picture of a yoke to place visibly where we will see it often.
Committed to the same work, the same direction, and the same pace. What could be more important?
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 9:03 AM
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