“The Yoke”

The main mission of the disciple is to preach remission of sin, but even in Jesus day as in ours today those who want to deter the preaching of the truth of the word and place a yoke (Burden) upon us. “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke(Burden) upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they”.(Acts 15:7-11).

It is written to be seperated from those who believe contrary to the words of Christ, God clearly tells if we be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. We may learn of their ways and stray from the truth and his will for our lives. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord (Agreement) hath Christ with Belial? (Evil)? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel( Unbeliever)? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”.(2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Solomon died and his son Rehoboam reined in his stead,he asked the counsel of the old men only to decide for himself not to take their advice and increase the yoke upon them. “And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins. And now whereas my father lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions”.(1 Kings 12:6-11).

God showed his Love for the people when he brought the Israelites out of Egypt and broke their bondage (yoke). He told them also of the repercussions had they chose not to follow his ways! (Leviticus 26:11-46).

Jesus has given us the best offer one could ask for in their life and that is to rely solely on him and the Fathers will in life by saying: “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”.

(Matthew 11:28-30).