Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you…. For My yoke is easy [tolerable], and My load is light” (Matthew 11:29–30). I must learn the lessons of the yoke. First, the yoke is not the burden; the yoke enables me to carry my burden. My burden is the normal “cargo” that every human being must of necessity tote (Galatians 6:5). In effect, Jesus is saying, “If you will become My disciple, even the natural burdens of life will become tolerable.”
Second, the yoke is personal. Just as the burden fits me personally, so the yoke must be suited to me. The American Indians designed yokes to be worn on their shoulders, shaped personally for each one’s use. So Jesus becomes my yoke, personally suited for my particular burden. His yoke is not intended to add anything to my burden, but to relieve it. Often a person will say, “How can people live who do not have the Lord?” That means: “How can people carry their load without the helpful yoke of the Lord?”
Third, the yoke is Christ’s.
He calls it “My yoke.” He Himself had to bend under the burden that the Father gave Him, and in doing so He learned how to use the yoke. His yoke is not a thing, but an attitude of submission, with the resulting flow of power. As Jesus bent to the Father’s yoke in order to lift the burden of Calvary, so we bend to Christ’s yoke in gentle submission and He enables us to lift our cross and move forward to daily victory. Jesus says, “Learn of me” (Matthew 11:29, KJV). Yes, Lord, let me learn of You so that my burden does not grind me into the dust; let me wear Your yoke, Lord, for my ease and for my victory.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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 shall find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).
Daily with the King 