Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11: 28-30, NIV)
Have had many jobs, and many bosses since entering the workforce in 1969, at 16 years of age. All in all, Jesus Christ always takes 1st place, as bosses go.
Most would agree that all bosses require a certain degree of control, some more than others. That's where the "yoke" comes in (like the picture of the old fashioned one above).
In agricultural communities, a yoke is ordinarily used to harness two oxen or cows together, for plowing, or pulling heavy loads. Single yokes are not uncommon, and in some countries there are one-person yokes for carrying buckets of water, or whatever.
In terms of freedom and control, who wouldn't want to go with the "single-person yoke"?
Staying true to the Lord's metaphor in the Gospel of Matthew, his invitation implies being yoked together with Jesus Christ himself. 1st hand experience would easily verify that His yoke is easy, and indeed, His burden is light.
Some might grumble and complain of contradictions to this claim, as they grow weak, tired, and even burnt out in service to God. Is our Abba Father to blame? Or, maybe something was lost in the Greek translation?
The Sword of the Spirit is it's own commentary. The whole counsel of God is one, as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one. His yoke truly is a blessing.
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it. (Proverbs 10:22, NIV)
OK, OK, being yoked up with Jesus is truly an unbelievably huge benefit (like eternal life, or the presence of God, for sure). So why are God's servants getting stressed out or burned out? What happened with that one clause, "rest to your souls"?
Remember when Jesus was walking along with his disciples, and got hungry for a fig. He reached up - not a single one on the entire tree. Then and there, Jesus cursed the tree. The next day when he and his disciples walked by that same tree, it was dead, withered, dried up, root, and stem
vs. 1-2: "I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. vs.5: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15, NIV)
It's all about fruitage, not leafage. The angels in heaven do not rejoice when we grow lots of beautiful leaves. The kingdom of God is all about bearing fruit, and fruit that remains. The Master Gardener is focused on fruit production - all else ends up in the compost bin or the fire pit.
No one is perfect, and no one has all the answers, but it really seems a little too obvious - someone's burden is a little too heavy.
Jesus said, "My burden is light...and you will find rest to your souls."
Would it be possible for the Holy Spirit to give someone a specific assignment, the person follows through obediently, initially experiences wonderful fruit (glory to God), and then assumes that they should continue doing the exact same thing to bear more of the same fruit?
If the Holy Spirit wants us to do the same thing, over and over again, to continue bearing good fruit, he can and will tell us (it's not automatic). We all know what it means to assume something.
But Jesus did mention that he only did what the Father told him to do and say. Did Jesus Christ heal everyone who was sick in Israel? Did Jesus turn water into wine for every wedding feast? Did Jesus cleanse every leper? Of course not, just the ones the Father designated.
Eventhough Jesus was 100% man, and 100% God, it's hard to believe that Jesus depended on his human brain for God's will regarding ministry on earth (sorry, if incorrect). He was led by the Holy Spirit. He knew God's voice. Jesus must have followed these directions in the Word -
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Been on some pretty scarry and difficult paths in the jungle here on this tropical island of Rota (some even very dangerous). Hypothetically speaking, God would never take us to the head of a jungle trail and say something like, "OK, gang, take this path, and go in that direction for two miles", then leave us on our own.
No way! He would walk in the lead, on the trail. Everyone else would be focusing and making every effort to keep as close to him as possible, as we go forward.
Really trying to say something like this -
NO MORE LEAVES ONLY. That testimony, that song, that approach to prayer, that way of reading the Bible, that ministry, that schedule, they were all fruitful at one time. It's very likely they were from the Holy Spirit once (fresh bread from the throne of God). Now they might only be good ideas, with good intentions (not God ideas). They might even be dead, incapable of bearing fruit, only leaves, and dead dry branches.
Praise the Lord, the drought is over! It's a new season - time for new growth!
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant a willing spirit to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. (Psalm 51:10-13, NIV).
Sing a new song of praise to him. (Psalm 33:3, Psalm 40:3, Psalm 96:1, Psalm 98:1, Psalm 144:9, Psalm 149:1, and Isaiah 42:10, NIV)
Our Creator gives new life and new breath to all creatures every day. His mercies are new every morning. His creative nature is alive in our hearts. Out of our hearts flow rivers of living water, because we believe and trust our Lord Jesus Christ. Daily, God gave fresh manna to the children of Israel in the wilderness, even when they were stubborn and disobedient.
"His burden is light" and "His yoke is easy", amen!
Is anyone being slowly tormented under a heavy burden, or perhaps vexed by intolerable circumstances?
Then, their burden is not only from the Good Shepherd. And, someone or something extra has been added to the yoke (maybe more now, instead of only two harnesses).
As we always say in our Men's Friday Bible Study, "That's the end of the story."
