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Which yoke will you wear?

The Jewish people in Christ's day suffered under a double yoke: the yokes of Roman rule and the dictates of their own corrupt religious leaders. The yoke of Roman rule was to carry the weight of high taxation, yet without representation. The yoke of legalism, which the religious leaders foisted upon their people, consisted of a myriad of impossible rules and regulations to execute to avoid eternal damnation. They had become truly weary and heavy laden.

Christ knew their mental anguish and said to them, "Come to Me...I will give you rest." He then said this.

"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." Mt. 11:29.

Now a yoke is a heavy wooden and leather collar worn by oxen that enabled the farmer to attached his plow or his cart, or any other piece of equipment to the oxen to accomplish tasks beyond his own strength or effort. And now, Christ speaks of another yoke of another Leader, namely, Himself. Yet Jesus is saying His yoke is easy and the load light. It seems contradictory. But His is a yoke of freedom, not bondage; a yoke of grace, not works. The key here is the mental attitude and character of Christ. I speak of His integrity, virtue, and humility. "For I am gentle and humble in heart."

His leadership is not based on intimidation, abuse or exploitation. His leadership is centered in divine love. This would be dramatically demonstrated on the cross.

For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

So Jesus is saying, Submit to Me and I will give you rest. Through David, God says, cease striving...know that I am God, Ps. 46:10. An easy yoke and a light load are demonstrations of Christ's omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence. For this reason Christ says:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

So what have we to learn from Christ? We learn He is unlike Romans or religious rulers who would exploit us for their own gain, power, and prestige. We learn He is not arrogant, but humble. We learn He Himself is under the authority of the Father and that Christ's service under His Father is pleasant and good. We therefore learn that by submitting to God's rulership through Christ Jesus, that our best interests--peace, contentment, freedom--are insured.

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