Take His Yoke – Devotional for Wednesday, February 2, 2011

“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.”
—Matthew 11:29
 
My wife is a very good driver. She is very careful. But I don’t like to be driven around by my wife, or anyone else. I don’t like not being in control. When we go somewhere together I almost always drive.  I think she has found it easier to just let me drive. This picture is neither me nor my lovely wife. But you get the point.

Many times, we can be that way with God. He has the steering wheel but we can help giving directions. We are willing for Him to be our copilot, but not the pilot.

When Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you” (Matthew 11:29), He meant that we are to submit ourselves to Him every day in every way. A yoke was made of wood, handcarved to fit the neck and shoulders of the animal to prevent pain or discomfort. In ancient culture, the word “yoke” was a term that was used to describe submission. So when someone was described as being yoked to someone or something, it was communicating the idea that he or she was in submission to that person or thing.

So to be yoked to Jesus is to serve and obey Him. Before you bristle at that idea, consider this: everyone is yoked to someone or something. The question is to whom or what do you want to be yoked? Some are yoked to the power of sin. They are under its control. Some are yoked in a relationship with unbelievers, and the Bible warns very specifically against that (see 2 Corinthians 6:14).

You are yoked to someone or something. So why not be yoked to Jesus?

(Based on a Greg Laurie Devotional) 

Be yoked to Jesus and be blessed.

Nick