What in the world is a yoke?
Jesus said, Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
You see, I’ve lived in a city my whole life. If you’re like me, you wouldn’t know what a yoke is too. When I was a kid, I thought Jesus was talking about the part of the egg that’s used for leche flan. (I was a really bad speller.)
Now I know what a yoke is. Let me show you a photo…
It’s the wooden beam that you harness two bulls so that they can pull a wagon together. Something like this…
A bull is strong by itself. But two bulls pulling together are even stronger. Yes, one plus one equals three.
Because we live in the city, we don’t understand this passage at all. Usually, what the farmer does is pair a younger bull with an older bull. The older bull, being stronger and more experienced, will help and guide the younger bull.
Here’s where we’re mistaken. Many people read this Bible verse and think Jesus is the farmer and we’re the bulls. And being gentle, Jesus won’t use a whip but just coax us along.
Nope. Wrong interpretation.
Here’s the meaning of this passage: Jesus is the older bull and we’re the younger bull. That’s why He says, “Learn from me…” Jesus says, “Take my yoke. My yoke is easy and light because I’ll be carrying most the load…”
In other words, God is telling you, Relax, I’ll take care of you. Relax in my love for you.
Let me tell you one of my favorite stories…
God Carries Your Burden With You
Many years ago, I wanted to dispose of a wooden cabinet.
It was huge, tall, and heavy.
So I asked my friend, Jodean Sola, to help me carry it out of the house. (FYI, Jodean heads He Cares streetkids ministry.)
Now Jodean is one of the strongest men I know.
I told him that I’ll carry one end and he’ll carry the other end.
I said, “One, two, three…” and we lifted it up together.
He was able to lift his side. I, on the other hand, managed to produce a lot of noise. “Arrrggghhhh…”
I couldn’t lift it up an inch off the floor!
That was when Jodean said, “Bo, let’s do it another way.”
With his back towards the huge cabinet, he bent down, and he said, “Push the cabinet towards me.” His idea was to make it that humongous thing his backpack.
I pushed it towards him, and the cabinet was now leaning on his back. Using his strong arms and legs, he lifted the entire cabinet all by myself.
Well actually, I was carrying it with him.
He was carrying 99% of the weight.
I was carrying 1% of the weight.
But that was the only way we were able to carry that cabinet out of my house.
Friend, here’s my message for you today: Don’t try to carry your burdens by yourself. God is there beside you. And God will carry 99% of your burdens. Just carry the 1% that you need to carry. Believe me, it’s the only way to carry a burden out of your house and out of your life.
God is telling you now, “Relax in my Love for you.”
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
PS. Attention Singles: My Friend Rissa Found Her One True Love When She Was 38 Years Old. I interviewed Rissa and I believe you’ll be very inspired. If you’re single, eavesdrop on my interview. Her story can be your story too. To watch our interview, click here now.
