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What's that you're carrying on your back? It looks pretty heavy. You look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders… dragging you down.

When did you pick it up?
How long have you been dragging it around?
Why are you holding on to it?

With all the stuff we're carrying around, what did Jesus mean when He told us to take His yoke upon us? I think my load is heavy enough, don't you?

"In Jewish literature a 'yoke' represents the sum-total of obligations which, according to the teaching of the rabbis, a person must take upon himself." - William Hendriksen
(Matthew, New Testament Commentary)

Webster's defines a yoke as "a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals are joined at the heads or necks for working together."

So… what is all that you're carrying on your shoulders?

Is it guilt? Sin? A grudge? Bitterness? Anger? Rules? Regulations? Unforgiveness?

You might not even realize you're carrying it around. But you're shuffling your feet and your head is hanging low. You're afraid to trust anyone. You've been closing your eyes, hiding in the darkness, afraid and alone.

This isn't how it's supposed to be.

In Matthew 23:4, we learn that the scribes and Pharisees "tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger." The religion of the Pharisees was a religion of rules and regulations. They wanted to impose their religious rules and regulations on others. Religion then became a weight and burden to be loaded onto one's shoulders – a yoke if you will.

Jesus' yoke was completely different of that of the scribes and Pharisees. In Matthew 11, verses 28 through 30, it is as if Jesus is saying: "take my way of life, take my spirit, and learn from me instead of learning from the Pharisees and their religious rules and regulations."

There is a definite implied contrast between the yoke of Jesus and the yoke of the Pharisees.
So what is Jesus' yoke?

I believe the word, "yoke," in this passage symbolizes religion. The religion of the Pharisees was a thousand rules and regulations which essentially said, "No" to everything.

However, the religion of Jesus was simple and positive.

Worship God. Let your light shine. Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Love your neighbor. Have faith that moves mountains.
Jesus' religion was simple and positive… like worshipping God, practicing forgiveness and mercy. The mood of His religion was like that of the wedding feast… a celebration.
We all need to wear the yoke of Jesus… love God, love your neighbor, show mercy, kindness and love to others - and have faith, mountain-moving faith.
This religion, Jesus' yoke, is easy compared to the Pharisees with all their harsh, negative rules.
Those who choose to do this will find that Jesus' yoke is light because He is a Master who cares for us. His yoke is not lighter because He demands less, but because He bears more of the load with us.

Aren't you tired of the other load you're carrying?

It's because you were never meant to carry it.

Lay it down!

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Our Children Are Our Future