'Come to me, all you who are exhausted and weighted down beneath your burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of 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

William Barclay in his commentary 'The Gospel of Matthew' tells us that the word 'easy' in Greek is 'chrestos', which can mean 'well-fitting.' In Palestine, yokes for oxen were made of wood and were tailor-made to fit. Careful measurements were made before the yoke was roughed out, then the oxen were brought back again to try on the new yoke. The yoke was carefully adjusted so that it would fit well without causing any irritation to the hard-working team.

There is a legend that, as a carpenter, Jesus made the best yokes with great skill and care. The sign above his shop may well have read, 'My yokes fit well.' He is still in the business of yoke-making and has designed a yoke for you and for me that is unique and a perfect fit. A yoke designed by Jesus will not rub or chafe or bruise. It is designed to enable us to pull some pretty heavy loads, but it is also designed for two.... Jesus is pulling with us. In fact, oxen are always paired, a younger with an older. Our yoke will be in balance if we allow Jesus to lead and carry the weight.

If your yoke of responsibility has become too heavy and seems anything but easy, are you wearing the yoke that Christ has made for you or have you hammered out your own yoke? If you've chosen your own yoke because it looks like the yokes of others, or you think it will make a good impression, or that it will pull a heavier load so you feel you're accomplishing more, you'll end up feeling exhausted, chafed, and irritable.

Put on the yoke that Jesus designed for you and, with Him at your side, you and your load will be in balance.

Scripture To Remember
Come to me, all you who are exhausted and weighted down beneath your burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of 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

Question To Consider
Are you wearing the yoke that Christ has made for you or have you hammered out your own yoke?

Prayer
Lord, reveal Your will for me today and help me to take on only that which You are leading me to do. Amen

Thought for the Day
Our yoke will be in balance if we allow Jesus to lead and carry the weight.