Jesus said, “Come unto Me…” (Part 2 of 4)

“Take my yoke upon you”

Scriptures:

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Romans 12:1-2

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Discussion:

Last time we discussed the open invitation that Christ gives to all those who are weary and carry heavy burdens of sin and shame. This week we see the invitation turn from salvation to a life of service. Christ says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me…” Here the Lord Jesus Christ is calling you the believer to enter into submission to His Perfect Will. The “yoke” that Christ tells you to take upon yourself is representative of a wooden bar placed over the neck of a pair of animals so they can pull together; (figuratively) it is what unites (or joins) two people (you and Christ) to move (and work) together as one. Christ, thus far in Matthew 11:28-29 has told the sin burdened unbeliever to come to Him, to be rid of the former heavy yoke of sin and shame (Matthew 11:28). In Matthew 11:29 He replaces the sinful yoke with His yoke, which is one that unites the believer to Christ and His Will. Once in this new yoke with Christ, He tells us to “learn of Me”. As we come to acknowledge His perfect will and sovereignty (complete control) in every area of our lives, He in turn trains us in His ways and helps us to become more and more like Him.

Be Encouraged:

Brothers and Sisters, let us cherish the blood stained yoke of Christ and be eager to learn of Him. If you are saved and washed by His blood, His Holy Spirit lives within you. You are yoked (united) with Christ. He goes everywhere with you. You are a unit. Brothers and Sisters, be reminded of this glorious truth, Christ lives within you! Let us learn of Him. Let us strive every day to mimic Him with all those we come in contact with. Let His words be your words, His movements be your movements, and His peace be your peace. How do you learn of Him? Read His Holy Word. Start with the very words of Christ as found in the Gospel accounts. Whatever He says, do. Whatever attitude He teaches, strive to have it. Brothers and Sisters, in light of being yoked at this moment with Christ, present your bodies as a living sacrifice and don’t allow your mind to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds in His Holy Word.

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