“Take My Yoke” – Dr. Charles Stanley

by Donny on Jul.26, 2009, under Uncategorized, devotionals, devotions, prayers

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

²⁸“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus invites all burdened individuals to come to Him for rest, yet so often we misunderstand what He is offering. When stresses and problems weigh us down, the most natural response is to ask God for relief: “Lord, I can’t carry this anymore. I’m going to leave it here with you.” Having dumped the burden like a bag of garbage, we walk away but remained unchanged inside.

God doesn’t operate that way. Christ’s invitation is to join Him in the yoke so you can walk and work together. He doesn’t want just your burden; He wants you! The yoke of Christ is a symbol of discipleship, characterized by submission and obedience to Him. God’s goal isn’t simply to give relief by removing a weighty trial or affliction; He longs to draw you to Himself in a close and trusting relationship. Those who take Him up on His offer will be transformed and won’t ever return to their old ways.

The process of lightening the load begins with learning to know and understand the Lord. The burden is not necessarily removed, but our thoughts and responses are changed as we begin to love Him, trust Him, believe His promises, and rely on His power. Then, as the weight of the affliction shifts from our shoulders to His, we will discover relief, although the situation may remain unchanged.

Being yoked with Christ results in rest for your soul. Life’s pressures may not lessen, but if you are intimately linked with Jesus, your soul is free from churning anxiety, and His peace is ruling in your heart. Jump into His yoke. You have nothing to lose—except your weariness—and much to gain.

(by Dr. Charles Stanley from the July 2009 issue of In Touch magazine – http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.4943163/k.CAF7/Magazine.htm)

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1 Comment for this entry

kharbal
September 21st, 2009 on 9:30 pm
The Yoke of Jesus Christ is one that we all really need. the inspiration I got about this is the yoke of Jesus symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Take My Yoke upon you and learn from me. Remember He said he will send the Holy Spirit to teach us all things, “He will take of what is mine and make it known to you”. The comparison of the yoke is symbolic principally in terms of its function to Bind, Guide, direct and depict allegiance, A yoke depict ones driving force, who is in control of one’s life. The Holy Spirit is the seal of the believer, the guide, “as many as are lead by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God… “Live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Jesus said His yoke is easy and light because His yoke empowers acting as an anointing us rather than a burden to us. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes (upon you). “Take my yoke (Upon You!)” been lead by the spirit not the world or self or the evil one is taking the yoke of Christ upon ourselves.kjkaltho@gmail.com