04/14/2023
What does it mean to be yoked with Jesus? This is our concentration for the day. Will we find a life of leisure, hardship, joy, or will it be suffering? What will this life we are living mean to us spiritually and physically? When we read the scripture in which Jesus invites us to become yoked with Him, we hear descriptions that sound appealing... restful, gentle, easy, and light... let's read it again:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."”
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Jesus helps us through life, and encourages us, but before He can ease our burden, we first must bear one. If we look at other scripture it tells us that certain hardships are normal to faith. As a matter of fact, our faith depends on them in order to grow.
“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?” My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”
Hebrews 12:5-8 ESV
We are this way with our own children as well. We smooth the path before them, but we also let them fall from time to time in order to teach a lesson. A baby that never falls, never walks. A child that never learns discipline at the table, never has manners. A young person that never fails a test, never obtains an education. And... a Christian that is never disciplined by God, never grows in faith, love, and obedience to Him.
Oswald Chambers writes of this too. He assures us that even the most saintly of people face trials, hardship, and discipline...
"Where do the saints get their joy from? - Lift the veil. The fact that the peace and the light and the joy of God are there is proof that the burden is there too. The burden God places squeezes the grapes and out comes the wine, most of us see the wine only." - Oswald Chambers
So to be yoked with Jesus insures us that He will help us stay within the will of God, and that in times of discipline He will tutor us in the lesson. How often have you faced a trying time in your life and suffered in it for a long time before finally going to the Word and opening the door to your prayer closet and Jesus? Then, in that moment of tutelage the problem becomes simple to solve and the burden light? It isn't like hitting the easy button... it is like a light bulb coming on. Our problems don't magically disappear, but we learn to walk the path around or through them.
If Jesus had not spent His early life being prepared for the 40 days He wandered, while being tempted in the desert, would He have withstood Satan's allure? If Jesus hadn't spent years with God, His Father, would He have been able to face the cross and all it was? Well we can rest assured that the Son of God could have... but what of His other half... the Son of Man? Thankfully that is a rhetorical question and one we will never have to answer.
So we do face hardship, and we do find our burdens eased in Jesus, but each time we call out to Him for help, we learn and grow in faith. Sometimes He comes quickly, sometimes He waits, and sometimes He might not respond at all. It all depends on the lesson. Is it a dangerous situation that requires immediate attention? Is it a lesson in patience that we must develop slowly? Or a lesson of perseverance that has no foreseeable end to us? Regardless, we must remained yoked to Jesus, and in so doing our burden will be lightened... it will become bearable, and we will be allowed to rest before continuing on.
When Jesus asked us to be yoked with Him, He didn't say He would remove our burden... just make it lighter. He didn't say that He would take away all the challenge... just make it easier. Reread our scripture reference and pay attention to these nuances, and learn from Him.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."”
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your discipline because it teaches me to know you better, and increases my faith. Your lessons prepare me for the temptations and challenges of Satan and strengthen me against them. I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ with whom I am yoked. He gives me rest when I am weary, and eases my burden in those difficult times. Holy Father, never take your hand from me, and never spare the rod, because in your correction I find sanctity and righteousness. By your hand I become Holy and dedicated to your will. When life seems unfair and my infirmities know no end, let me rejoice in you, and call upon Jesus who walks beside me. Your love is without end, your goodness and mercy boundless, and your will for me perfect in every way. Praised be your name!
Rich Forbes