Matthew 11: 30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.
A yoke is always seen as a bad object and detested by people, but we need to understand what a yoke is before we start to detest it. A yoke has two purposes: one, to connect the animal (load-bearer/one who ploughs) to its load/plough and also to connect to other animals/workers; the second purpose is to help its master guide it.
The yoke has been pictured with bondage, but that is not necessary. The shepherd’s staff is curved at the top, for it is used to yoke and correct a sheep that has gone astray.
Yesterday a sister forwarded me a clip of a Pastor speaking of Judgment Day. In his attire, he looked rich and well-to-do, running a megachurch. He had mixed scriptures in a mishmash, so even though his individual statements were right, together they were just garbage. He had no understanding of the basic purpose of God and this creation. He made God look like one who won a street fight but loses a battle. They lack spiritual understanding but lead only because they operate in spiritual Gifts. I told the sister one simple rule: any Preacher/Pastor who is rich lacks basic understanding of the Bible; he or she is not serving God but himself/herself.
Whether a yoke is good or bad depends on who is controlling it and what purpose it is driving us to. When the yoke is controlled by carnal desires, then we become slaves to our desires. If it is controlled by religion, then we become religious people who do not know God but make ourselves His champions. When its master is tradition, then we serve the world and its vanity. But when its master is the Lord, then it becomes a tool of freedom and of blessing, like a uniform yokes a soldier to his duty and to his regiment.
It is only when we are yoked to God and His purpose/mission that we will find our burden light. So let us not detest being yoked, but detest its master if it is not the Lord God. If a person is doing ministry and is not yoked to the Lord is not doing the Lord’s work but doing something else.
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. You, Lord, made us for a purpose which Satan wants to fail in our lives. Lord we pray we let him put a yoke on us that us controlled by anyone other than You. It is only when we are yoked to You and Your Purpose/Cross that we become Sons and heirs to Your Kingdom…
This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Philippians 4:3 And I entreat you also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?