Take My Yoke…

Two days ago, we reflected on Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

But there is more, isn’t there?  

To his invitation, Jesus adds: 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.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Now you probably remember that a yoke goes around the neck of an ox or horse for plowing. It is a work instrument. It is exactly what we would think tired workers need least! When Jesus refers to his yoke, he was referring to his teachings. And, indeed, sometimes Jesus’ yoke does not feel very light!

This made me think about something one of my friends said to me once. He said, “Joe, God loves you just like you are right now. But… God loves you too much to let you stay that way!” There is ever this invitation to learn, to grow… to deepen… There is ever an invitation to change our hearts and our minds.

I think about my own life, and how following Jesus has pushed me… to open my eyes to the need of the world around me… to soften my heart…to love those nobody else loves, to forgive… to give more than I thought I could… to make amends… 

I think back to the times in my life when I’ve been at a crossroads. I can think of at least a couple of times early on when my life could very easily have gone in a different direction. And I am grateful for this path… for I have found healing to come not only from sitting in Jesus’ presence and accepting his love, but I have found that healing also to come from attempting to walk in his ways. 

We have a magnet on our fridge at home. It is a drawing of a caterpillar and a butterfly, having coffee. The Caterpillar – looking very wormlike – says, “You’ve changed.” And the butterfly says, “We’re supposed to change!”

No. Maybe not always easy… but it is certainly good.

Let us pray: Holy God, we thank you for your unconditional love for each of us. And we thank you also for invitations to grow and change and to transfigure what is hurting or broken with us. Help us ever to take up Jesus’ yoke, walk in his ways, and find rest for our souls. In his name, we pray. Amen.