A short time after impressing upon his disciples the difficult and challenging path of following in his way, using phrases like, I have not come to bring peace, but a sword, and whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me, Jesus adds a new metaphor—that of the yoke.

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.

The yoke. Jesus brings a sword, then Jesus asks those who follow him to take up a cross, and finally he offers his yoke. Not exactly an irresistible plan for a “me day,” or a life focused on myself.

The yoke. An instrument used to control oxen and mules and horses. A collar to use the strength of these powerful beasts to pull a plow, or haul freight, or charge in front of a chariot into battle.

The animal under yoke is not controlling the situation, but rather submits to the driver. I think this is the first point Jesus makes. Submission to Jesus means voluntarily placing his yoke around my neck. Let’s face it—that sounds hard and not terribly pleasant.

The second aspect that strikes me is the realization that I take on other yokes all the time: a yoke of responsibility, a yoke of respect, a yoke of pleasure, a yoke of success, a yoke of looking good to others. Anything that controls me and directs me to pull in its direction throws a yoke across my neck. Jesus encourages me to take all those yokes off and replace them with one light and airy yoke—his.

Rest for my soul. I’d like to pull in that direction for a while.

Matthew 11 in week thirty-one of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Varun Verma