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Humble Hero
“Take My yoke upon you.” The yoke is an instrument of service.
Cattle are yoked for labor, and the yoke is essential for them to work
effectively. By this illustration, Jesus teaches that we are called to
service. We are to take His yoke upon us.
The yoke is the law of God, in the new covenant written in the
heart. It binds the human worker to the will of God. If we were left
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to go just where our will would lead us, we would fall into Satan’s
ranks. So God confines us to His will.
Christ Himself has worn the yoke of service in humanity. He
said, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but
the will of Him who sent Me.”
John 6:38
. Love for God, zeal for His
glory, and love for fallen humanity brought Jesus to earth. This was
the controlling power of His life. This principle He asks us to adopt.
What Makes Us So Tired
Many whose hearts are aching under a load of care have chosen
the world’s service, accepted its perplexities, adopted its customs.
Because of this, their life has become a burden. To gratify worldly
desires, they injure the conscience and bring an additional burden of
remorse on themselves. Our Lord wants them to lay aside this yoke
of bondage. He says, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” He
calls them to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Worry is blind and cannot see the future, but in every difficulty,
Jesus has His way prepared to bring relief. Our heavenly Father
has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing.
Those who make serving and honoring God their main goal will find
perplexities vanish and a plain path before their feet.
“Learn from Me,” says Jesus, “for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest.” We are to enter the school of Christ and learn
from Him. Redemption is the process that trains a person for heaven.
This training means being freed from ideas, habits, and practices we
have learned in the school of the prince of darkness.
In the heart of Christ, there was perfect peace. He was never
elated by applause nor dejected by criticism or disappointment.
Amid opposition and cruel treatment, He was still of good courage.
But many of His followers have anxious, troubled hearts, because
they are afraid to trust God. They fear the consequences of complete