For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mat 11:30.
yoke is easy with Jesus
Jesus Teaches Us His Yoke is Easy, His Burden, Light
We are to bear the yoke of Christ that we may be placed in complete union with Him.
“Take my yoke upon you,” (Mat 11:28)
Jesus says…. Wearing the yoke unites finite people in companionship with the dearly beloved Son of God. Lifting the cross cuts away self from the soul, and places us where we learn how to bear Christ’s burdens. We cannot follow Christ without wearing His yoke, without lifting the cross and bearing it after Him.
If our will is not in accord with the divine requirements, we are to deny our inclinations, give up our darling desires, and step in Christ’s footsteps.
People frame around their own necks yokes that seem light and pleasant to wear, but they prove galling to the extreme. Christ sees this, and He says:
Take My yoke upon you. The yoke you would place upon your own neck, thinking it a precise fit, will not fit at all. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me the lessons essential for you to learn; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. (Mat 11:30)
The Lord never makes a false estimate concerning His heritage. He measures the people with whom He is working. When they submit to His yoke, when they give up the struggle that has been unprofitable for themselves and for the cause of God, they will find peace and rest. When they become sensible of their own weakness, their own deficiencies, they will delight to do God’s will. They will submit to the yoke of Christ.
Then God can work in them to will and to do of His good pleasure, which is often entirely contrary to the plans of the human mind. When the heavenly anointing comes to us, we shall learn the lesson of meekness and lowliness, which always brings rest to the soul.
Although you will have trials, yet these trials, well borne, only make the way more precious.
In what sense was Jesus’ yoke “easy?”
The yoke emphasizes the challenges, work, and difficulties of partnering with Christ in life. Responsibilities weigh us down, even the effort of staying true to God. But Jesus’ yoke remains easy compared to the crushing alternative.
Jesus doesn’t usually offer a life of luxurious ease—the yoke is still an oxen’s tool for working hard. But it’s a shared yoke, with much of the weight falling on bigger shoulders than yours. Someone with more pulling power is up front helping. (Psalms 46:1, Heb 13:5)
Suddenly you are participating in life’s responsibilities with a great Partner—and now that frown can turn into a smile, and that gripe into a song.
In accepting Christ’s yoke of restraint and obedience, you will find that it is of the greatest help to you. Wearing this yoke keeps you near the side of Christ, and He bears the heaviest part of the load. {5BC 1090.4}
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
This paradox is matchless! Even among the paradoxically couched maxims in which our Lord delights! That rest which the soul experiences when once safe under Christ’s wing makes all yokes easy, all burdens light.
“I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing” – (Ezekiel 34:26)
Jer 12:5
The struggle is real
What is your season today my friends?
Is it a season of drought or lack? Then according to God’s Word. According to the promise before us. That is the season for “showers of blessing.” Are you dealing with a season of great heaviness and black clouds? There is the Light of His promise in every cloud. “As thy day, so shall thy strength be.” (Deut 33:25)
Jesus still promises us today:
there shall be showers of blessing.” (Ezekiel 34:26,
Notice too, the word “showers” is in the plural. God will send all kinds of showers, according to our need. All of God’s precious blessings and assurances go together. All one package, according to each individual’s situation, as if they were all links in a golden chain.
If God gives converting grace, He will surely give us comforting grace. Jesus will give “showers of blessing!” As CH Spurgeon once put it:
“Look up today, Oh parched plant. Open thine leaves and flowers for a Heavenly Watering.”
“Let but thy heart become a valley low,
And God will rain upon it
till it surely will overflow.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, I ask you today: transform my thorn into a flower. And I want my thorn transformed into a flower please. Job got the sunshine after the rain, but has the rain been all waste? Job wants to know, I want to know, if the shower had nothing to do with the shining?
I thank you too Lord, because Your Cross can tell me the answer to this question. You O Lord have crowned Your own sorrow. May this be my crown too is my prayer in Jesus’ name. I only triumph in YOU as I learn the radiance of the rain, and the Light in every cloud.
Fruitful Life Seeks Showers As Well As Sunshine.
“The landscape, brown and sere beneath the sun,
Needs but the cloud to lift it into life;
The dews may damp the leaves of tree and flower,
But it requires the cloud-distilled shower
To bring rich verdure to the lifeless life.
“Ah, how like this, the landscape of a life:
Dews of trial fall like incense, rich and sweet;
But bearing little in the crystal tray
Like nymphs of night, dews lift at break of day
And transient impress leave, like lips that meet.
“But clouds of trials, bearing burdens rare,
Leave in the soul, a moisture settled deep:
Life kindles by the magic law of God;
And where before the thirsty camel trod,
There richest beauties to life’s landscape leap.
“Then read thou in each cloud that comes to thee
The words of Paul, in letters large and clear:
So shall those clouds thy soul with blessing feed,
And with a constant trust as thou dost read,
All things together work for good. Fret not, nor fear!”
(author unknown)
Let your soul dwell in the timeless, changeless, tireless God. There is none like Him. He will ride through heaven to help you, will thrust out the enemies that resist your progress, will be your fountain and dew, your corn and wine, and will place beneath you arms as tender as they are loving. However low you fall, they will always be underneath. As your day, so your strength!
Jesus has been raised up from the dead to be our plant of renown. Planted in the grave of death, He has become with His faithful people a Vine, whose shadow covers the hills, and enriches the hearts and lives of men with luscious fruit. And because He lives, we shall live also. His resurrection implies and guarantees our own.
Light, life, joy, peace, and power shall be manifest in all the assemblies of Christ’s people.
I the Lord will be YOUR God, I the Lord have spoken it. And I will make with you all a covenant of peace,With you that were lost, that were driven away, that were sick, that were broken, My promise is sure. My Word will always be the Light in your clouds. (Psalms 119:105, Rev 1:7)
When the darkest of clouds is over the whole earth (Rev 3:10) Jesus Himself will still be THE Light in every cloud.
Behold, He comes with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, and those who pierced Him will see Him, and all the kindreds of the earth will wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.(Rev 1:7)
He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom, and has stretched out the heavens by His understanding. When He utters His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and He causes the mists to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings with rain and brings forth the wind out of His treasures. (Jer 51:15-16)
Ask rain from Jehovah in the time of the latter rain. Jehovah shall make storm clouds, and He gives them showers of rain, grass to everyone in the field. (Zech 10:1)
(For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth plants fit for those by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God. (Heb 6:7)
The only ONE who can actually change the climate is Jesus:
He causes the vapors to rise from the end of the earth; He makes lightnings for the rain; He brings wind out of His storehouses. (Psalms 135:7)
The King of glory stooped low to take humanity. Rude and forbidding were His earthly surroundings. His glory was veiled, that the majesty of His outward form might not become an object of attraction. He shunned all outward display. Riches, worldly honor, and human greatness can never save a soul from death; Jesus purposed that no attraction of an earthly nature should call men to His side. Only the beauty of heavenly truth must draw those who would follow Him. The character of the Messiah had long been foretold in prophecy, and He desired men to accept Him upon the testimony of the word of God.
The angels had wondered at the glorious plan of redemption. They watched to see how the people of God would receive His Son, clothed in the garb of humanity. Angels came to the land of the chosen people. Other nations were dealing in fables and worshiping false gods. To the land where the glory of God had been revealed, and the light of prophecy had shone, the angels came. They came unseen to Jerusalem, to the appointed expositors of the Sacred Oracles, and the ministers of God’s house. Already to Zacharias the priest, as he ministered before the altar, the nearness of Christ’s coming had been announced. Already the forerunner was born, his mission attested by miracle and prophecy. The tidings of his birth and the wonderful significance of his mission had been spread abroad. Yet Jerusalem was not preparing to welcome her Redeemer.
With amazement the heavenly messengers beheld the indifference of that people whom God had called to communicate to the world the light of sacred truth. The Jewish nation had been preserved as a witness that Christ was to be born of the seed of Abraham and of David’s line; yet they knew not that His coming was now at hand. In the temple the morning and the evening sacrifice daily pointed to the Lamb of God; yet even here was no preparation to receive Him. The priests and teachers of the nation knew not that the greatest event of the ages was about to take place. They rehearsed their meaningless prayers, and performed the rites of worship to be seen by men, but in their strife for riches and worldly honor they were not prepared for the revelation of the Messiah. The same indifference pervaded the land of Israel. Hearts selfish and world-engrossed were untouched by the joy that thrilled all heaven. Only a few were longing to behold the Unseen. To these heaven’s embassy was sent.
Angels attend Joseph and Mary as they journey from their home in Nazareth to the city of David. The decree of imperial Rome for the enrollment of the peoples of her vast dominion has extended to the dwellers among the hills of Galilee. As in old time Cyrus was called to the throne of the world’s empire that he might set free the captives of the Lord, so Caesar Augustus is made the agent for the fulfillment of God’s purpose in bringing the mother of Jesus to Bethlehem. She is of the lineage of David, and the Son of David must be born in David’s city. Out of Bethlehem, said the prophet, “shall He come forth . . . that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2, margin. But in the city of their royal line, Joseph and Mary are unrecognized and not honored. Weary and homeless, they traverse the entire length of the narrow street, from the gate of the city to the eastern extremity of the town, vainly seeking a resting place for the night. There is no room for them at the crowded inn. In a rude building where the beasts are sheltered, they at last find refuge, and here the Redeemer of the world is born.
Men know it not, but the tidings fill heaven with rejoicing. With a deeper and more tender interest the holy beings from the world of light are drawn to the earth. The whole world is brighter for His presence. Above the hills of Bethlehem are gathered an innumerable throng of angels. They wait the signal to declare the glad news to the world. Had the leaders in Israel been true to their trust, they might have shared the joy of heralding the birth of Jesus. But now they are passed by.
God declares, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness.” Isaiah 44:3; Psalm 112:4. To those who are seeking for light, and who accept it with gladness, the bright rays from the throne of God will shine.
In the fields where the boy David had led his flock, shepherds were still keeping watch by night. Through the silent hours they talked together of the promised Savior, and prayed for the coming of the King to David’s throne. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
At these words, visions of glory fill the minds of the listening shepherds. The Deliverer has come to Israel! Power, exaltation, triumph, are associated with His coming. But the angel must prepare them to recognize their Savior in poverty and humiliation. “This shall be a sign unto you,” he says; “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
The heavenly messenger had quieted their fears. He had told them how to find Jesus. With tender regard for their human weakness, he had given them time to become accustomed to the divine radiance. Then the joy and glory could no longer be hidden. The whole plain was lighted up with the bright shining of the hosts of God. Earth was hushed, and heaven stooped to listen to the song,
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Oh that today the human family could recognize that song! The declaration then made, the note then struck, will swell to the close of time, and resound to the ends of the earth. When the Sun of Righteousness shall arise, with healing in His wings, that song will be re-echoed by the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, saying, “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Revelation 19:6.
As the angels disappeared, the light faded away, and the shadows of night once more fell on the hills of Bethlehem. But the brightest picture ever beheld by human eyes remained in the memory of the shepherds. “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
Departing with great joy, they made known the things they had seen and heard. “And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God.”
Heaven and earth are no wider apart today than when shepherds listened to the angels’ song. Humanity is still as much the object of heaven’s solicitude as when common men of common occupations met angels at noonday, and talked with the heavenly messengers in the vineyards and the fields. To us in the common walks of life, heaven may be very near. Angels from the courts above will attend the steps of those who come and go at God’s command.
The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden “the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” Romans 11:33. We marvel at the Savior’s sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the beasts of the stall. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence. Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man’s nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life.
Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life’s peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.
The heart of the human father yearns over his son. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life’s peril. He longs to shield his dear one from Satan’s power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only-begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones. “Herein is love.” Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth!
If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28, CEV)
Come unto Me
I came to the Savior with urgent need
In trouble I have seen Him indeed
And my Savior still speaks surely to me
If ye so labor, “Come unto Me.”
Do hurts of this world, cares of your life
Crush the heart’s hope; pierce like a knife?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee
If ye so labor; “Come unto Me.”
Families break up, by death do we part
Temptations assault and sink the heart
The Savior still speaks surely to thee
If ye so labor; “Come unto Me.”
The hurting soul says “Can’t come at all!”
as they toss and turn against God’s call
The savior still speaks surely to thee
If ye so labor; “Come unto Me.”
Have you shut the door to words so wise?
“Come unto Me without your disguise.”
The Savior still speaks surely to thee
If ye so labor; “Come unto Me.”
Are you bad or lonely; do you sadly frown?
Are you sick or fearful, or lonely or down?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee
If ye so labor; “Come unto Me.”
Are you mad or glad, or rich or poor?
You can’t resist some evil lure?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee
If ye so labor; “Come unto Me.”
The story of your life may be Galilee
Raging turmoil, and no hope you see
The Savior still speaks surely to thee
If ye so labor; “Come unto Me.”
Come to Jesus; and rest you shall find
Whenever a burden shall tie or bind
Your Savior still speaks surely to thee
If ye so labor; “Come unto Me.”
– by David T Battler, all rights reserved worldwide
