My Yoke Is Easy

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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 (NIV)

They replied, "So what should we do if we want to do Gods work?" Jesus answered, "The work you can do for God starts with believing in the One he has sent."

John 6:28-29 (TPT)

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters Gods rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV)

A yoke was used to pair oxen for the purpose of agricultural work and transportation. It was designed to steer the animals in the same direction and to combine their strength for the purpose of completing the task at hand. A yoke, however, was also often used as a metaphor for oppression, slavery and the toil of hard work. What an irresistible invitation Jesus extends to us who are weary and burdened. Jesus was talking to people who were oppressed in many ways. They were oppressed politically by Roman rule, oppressed religiously by strict Judaic Law, and financially oppressed by crippling taxation systems. Here, Jesus redeemed the meaning and purpose of the yoke. He was inviting his followers to come out from under the yoke of the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2) and yoke themselves with Him. To be yoked with Jesus is to go where He goes and to walk according to his strength and power, not our own. We can rest in Him because of the work He completed on the cross. We rest in the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:51). We are forever yoked beside Him and joined in union with Him.