Easy Yoke, Light Burden

^"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. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

Many of us have heard this verse..it's one of the most encouraging verses in the Bible. But it can also be one of the hardest ones to follow when troubles hit..and fear and worry start pounding away.

One of the things that helps me is when the Lord gives me pictures, or describes a scene in terms that are easy for me to understand. Here's one for this verse.

The easy yoke
You may remember scenes of a farmer plowing his field, or putting a yoke around an animal and guiding it to plow a field. Very hard work either way. If I recall, there are some yokes that will attach to two animals.

Imagine yourself in one of those two sided yokes. It's only you. Now imagine that you are having to walk forward with this yoke on your back..and attached to the yoke are your worries, your fears, your trials, your struggles, your fears, your sickness. It doesn't take too long until you body starts to crumble under the weight of having to drag this yoke across this unplowed field, under the hot sun. That's how it is when we allow the enemy to attack our minds.

Now imagine that Jesus is on the yoke next to you. You are on one side, he is on the other. YOu say, Lord, I can't drag this yoke. It's too heavy." To which Jesus says "Nothing is too heavy for me to carry! If you give me control of this yoke, I'll drag it for you..all you have to do is walk alongside me. with that, Jesus starts to walk, and the yoke effortlessly starts to plow the ground. Jesus smiles and encourages you to walk with him. You barely, if at all..fell any of the weight of the yoke that is behind you. You are essentially walking alongside Jesus, who is effortlessly dragging the yoke on his side, while on your side, you are simply walking with the yoke around your neck..but it's effortless, since Jesus has taken the yoke upon himself.


The easy burden

What is it that burdens you? Is it fear? Doubt? There are many burdens that we deal with, sometimes on a daily basis. But Jesus wants to take those burdens from you as well!

Imagine yourself walking down a sidewalk with a backpack. It weighs about 200 pounds. Quite heavy! That's how our burdens are..they weigh us down, they depress. YOu hear the enemy screaming hopelessness in your ear. Suddenly Jesus approaches you with a backpack of his own. You say, "lord, I can't carry this backpack of burdens. It's too much for me." Jesus says"My burden is light! Trade me!" So you and Jesus exchange backpacks, and you notice that the backpack weighs only 3 pounds. Your back start to feel better, your muscles start to relax. 

Jesus smiles and strap the backpack with your burdens on, and says "Walk with me. you don't have to carry these burdens. I got them. anytime you need me to take your burdens and give you peace and rest, just call to me. I am greater than your burdens, I am greater than your fears. Walk with me in peace. I'll handle the rest."

So the next time a burden gets dropped on you, give it to Jesus and receive His peace. He will take care of you..through all things.