MATTHEW 11:28-30: “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” NLT
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OBSERVATION: What is it that drives you? What is controlling your life at this very moment? Although most of us normally do not think in agrarian terms, it is important to realize something from the perspective of a farmer plowing his land. We all will be yoked to something.

The key in life is to choose our yoke wisely!

Throughout my life, I have had the pleasure of working with people who have been thoughtful and encouraging. I have also experienced the chaffing of working with people who are harsh, impatient, and inconsiderate. The difference between the two is night and day. One produces a sense of joy and fulfillment. The other a sense of hopelessness and despair. It all has to do with who we are yoked to!

In the Scriptures, it warns us not to be unequally yoked.

• “You must not plant any other crop between the rows of your vineyard. If you do, you are forbidden to use either the grapes from the vineyard or the other crop. “You must not plow with an ox and a donkey harnessed together. “You must not wear clothing made of wool and linen woven together.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭22:9-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

• “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” II Corinthians‬ ‭6:14-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In both of these examples, there are practical and spiritual considerations. In the natural, if one tried to plow their field with an ox and a donkey, they would not make much progress, and would probably suffer injury to both the animals and themselves. In the spiritual, to be yoked together with an unbeliever, in partnership or marriage, will only lead one further away from the light of Christ.

It is important to choose our yokes wisely!

Jesus comes to us with words of promise, comfort, and hope. He knows and understands the difficulty we face each day. He experienced the ridicule and persecution of the ungodly as He walked this earth. He has felt the weight that each one of us carries. And, in the midst of our weariness and struggle, He says,

• “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Look at the blessing and promise extended to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. He invites us to lay down our weariness and heavy burdens and find rest. Jesus took all of our suffering and sin upon Himself when He died on the cross. He comes to bring the rest of God that only comes through faith in His life, death, and resurrection. He offers us a transfer of righteousness for our guilt and peace for our dis-ease!

• “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” Hebrews‬ ‭4:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

• “Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah‬ ‭53:4-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Now, Jesus invites us to be yoked together with Him!

• “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Unlike the yoke of this world, Jesus never drives us. He gently leads us. He teaches us and cares for us every step along the way. His very nature is humility and gentleness. He pours out the Holy Spirit upon our lives to be our comforter and guide. To be yoked with Jesus is to be led by the Good and Great Shepherd of our souls!

• “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalms‬ ‭23:1-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In this life, we have a choice! We can allow ourselves to be unequally yoked to those who have no concern for our well-being or soul. Or, we can come to the one who will lead us beside still waters, who will restore our soul, and who will lead us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

It is important to choose your yoke wisely!

Lord, I come to you as one who is weary and heavy-laden. Take this load from my life. I want to submit to Your Lordship anew. I want to be yoked together with You. Teach me, guide me, restore me, and refresh me I pray!

In Jesus Name!