"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matt. 11:29

A yoke is likened to something connecting two or more things together "for a distinct purpose". Like in the case of animals, it is used to join two animals (such as oxen) to perform a particular operation on the farm. No animal can be yoked with the other for a different aim. It's always targeted towards achieving only one goal.

Jesus was particular here in his preaching by saying "Take my yoke upon you..." You cannot be yoked to sin and at the same time with Christ, its either you let go of one for the other. When we talk of being yoked with Christ, we talk of following in the path that Christ goes. Have you ever heard of two animals yoked together and walking in different direction? No. That's how it is too when being yoked with Christ.

Paul was admonishing the Galatians here (Gal. 5:1) that they should "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free, and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage." A life that is not yoked with Christ is definitely yoked with something and that is the yoke of bondage. The yoke of bondage; the yoke of addiction, the yoke of sin.

The year is almost over and can you categorically say that throughout the year "I've taken the yoke of Christ upon myself" as Paul did by saying "Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ (I Cor. 11:1)?
A life yoked with Christ will be obedient to the will of Christ.

Food for thought: Will I take upon myself the easy yoke of Christ or the ever grievous yoke of bondage in this coming year 2016?

Shalom