“Jesus does not take from us the burden God has laid upon us. But He makes the burden easier for us by showing us how we must carry it... A yoke is a burden itself, a burden in addition to all other burdens, and yet it has a peculiar way of making other burdens easier... We are well acquainted with the yoke of the draft animals. The yoke alone enables them to pull the heavy burden without feeling pain or torment in the process, and without getting sore skin from pulling it. Jesus wants to put us human beings under such a yoke so that our burden does not become too heavy for us.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, A Testament to Freedom
Burdens are inescapable. You will have one. The question is what kind will you have? The yoke of Jesus is a burden. But it is the kind of burden that makes other burdens more bearable. It means being bound to Jesus, but it means being released from your sins. It ties you up in one respect and loosens the cords in another. The yoke of Jesus sets you free from frivolous work and sets your sights on the labor God has prepared for you beforehand.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
You will have a burden. Will it be light because it is being broad shouldered by Jesus on your behalf or will it be heavy because you're bearing it all by yourself?
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