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From Heaven With Love
The rest that Christ offers depends on conditions, but these are
plainly specified. They are those with which all can comply.
“Take My yoke upon you.” The yoke is an instrument of service.
Cattle are yoked for labor, and the yoke is essential that they may
labor effectually. By this illustration Jesus teaches that we are called
to service. We are to take upon us His yoke.
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
to go just where our will would lead us, we should fall into Satan’s
ranks. Therefore God confines us to His will.
The yoke of service Christ Himself has borne in humanity. He
said, “I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the
will of Him that 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 bids us 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.
Thus their life is made a weariness. To gratify worldly desires,
they wound the conscience and bring upon themselves an additional
burden of remorse. Our Lord desires them to lay aside this yoke
of bondage. He says, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
He bids them seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Worry is blind and cannot discern 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.
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Those who make the service and honor of God supreme will find
perplexities vanish and a plain path before their feet.
“Learn of Me,” says Jesus, “for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest.” We are to enter the school of Christ and learn
from Him. Redemption is that process by which the soul is trained
for heaven. This training means emancipation from ideas, habits,
and practices gained 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 censure or disappointment. Amid
opposition and cruel treatment, He was still of good courage. But