Yoked to Jesus

Matthew 11:28-30,
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye
shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

MATTHEW 11:20-30
Yokes were made of wood with two hollowed
out sections on the bottom portion that rested
on the necks of oxen, which used to plow or
to draw a cart.
Figuratively, a yoke symbolized servitude or
submission.
Jesus is admonishing us to submit ourselves
to Him, for true rest comes from serving
Him - not ourselves.

A new ox was often trained for plowing or
drawing a cart by yoking him with an
experienced ox. The yoke kept the young ox
from "doing his own thing" and he soon
learned obedience to his master.
We are to commit ourselves to being yoked
to Jesus.
"It is not in man that walketh to direct his
steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).

We have to "bear the yoke in our youth"
(Lamentations 3:27) if we want to become
mature Christians.
The comparison ends at this point, though.
Unlike the, sometimes, harsh treatment oxen
are given to bring them into subjection,
Jesus is "meek and lowly in heart," and wins
us by love.
Jesus pulls more than His "share" of the
load; therefore, our burden is light.

The most loving father in the world cannot
compare with the love our Heavenly Father
has for us.
And yet, many times we find it easier to
believe in the willingness of a father or
mother or mate to help us than in the
willingness of God to use His power on our
behalf.

Relatively few people really doubt God's
ability, but rather, it is our doubt of His
willingness to use His ability on our
behalf that causes most people to do
without.

Jesus assures us that God's love, and His
willingness to demonstrate that love, is far
greater than we can ever experience in any
human relationship.

Not only does He want our love, but wants
us to let Him love us!