Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing
upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have
been able to bear? But we believe that
we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also
are. Acts 15:10-11
Grace Not Works!
The “yoke of the Pharisees” was the burdensome yoke of
self-righteousness and legalistic law-keeping.
They believed that only keeping the law would bridge the gap between
their sinfulness and God’s holiness.
Jesus’ yoke is light. He knows
that no amount of law-keeping will bridge this chasm. Romans 3:20
tells us through the prophet Isaiah that no person will
be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by
observing the works prescribed by the Law. The good news is that Jesus promises to all
who come to Him that He will give them rest from the heavy burden of trying to
earn our way into heaven and rest from the oppressive yoke of
self-righteousness and trying to earn our way through works.
Take
My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart ... For
My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:29-30
yoke (yk)
1. a. A crossbar with two U-shaped pieces that
encircle the necks of a pair of oxen or other draft animals working together.
b.
pl. yoke or yokes - A pair of draft animals, such as oxen, joined by a yoke.
2. A frame designed to be carried across a person's
shoulders with equal loads suspended from each end.
The illustration of a yoke here is symbolic of Jesus helping
to carry our load. Most often a yoke was
used between two oxen. The two yoked
together would lighten the burden and usually, a young inexperienced ox was
paired with an older more experienced ox that knew what to do. This is similar to Jesus helping us. He knows just what to do and He will help
carry our load.
There's
a great story I would like to share with you from Mrs. Lettie Cowman's
wonderful book, Springs in the Valley. In the deep jungles of Africa, a
traveler was making a long trek. Coolies had been engaged from a tribe to carry
the loads. The first day they marched rapidly and went far. The traveler had
high hopes of a speedy journey. But the second morning these jungle tribesmen
refused to move. For some strange reason they just sat and rested. On inquiry as to the reason for this
strange behavior, the traveler was informed that they had gone too fast the
first day, and that they were now waiting for their souls to catch up with
their bodies. Then Mrs. Cowman
concludes with this penetrating exhortation: "This whirling rushing life
which so many of us live does for us what that first march did for those poor
jungle tribesmen. The difference: they knew what they needed to restore life's
balance; too often we do not."
Waiting on the soul to catch up with the body...think about it. Living without meaning (soul) brings
weariness. Only when we stop and reflect
on what has happened do we truly experience life. When we are rushing through life, all the
things we are doing we fail to experience.
Jesus encourages those who are “heavy laden” to take His
yoke upon them and in so doing they will find rest for their souls. The yoke of
Jesus is light and easy to carry. You can
rest in His spirit. Let Him help you
with your load. He is waiting to ease
the burden and bring you rest.
Scripture to Claim
And this same God who
takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which
have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
