As a small child, I naively thought Jesus talked about eggs in this passage. When
reading about Jesus’ invitation for us to take his yoke upon us, I presumed that Jesus was inviting us to crack his egg of love on our heads and let his icky, yellow, liquid-grace run down our faces - like some bad Sunday School illustration!
The metaphor of the yoke was often used by Rabbis to describe what they stood for and believed in. Although all Rabbis used the Hebrew Scriptures to develop their theology, each Rabbi had a particular focus. For example, one might focus on the judgment of God; others on strict obedience to the Law; another on the all-inclusive love of God; others on God’s liberation for God’s people. Some
rabbi’s yokes would be demanding; others would be intellectually challenging. Jesus claimed that those who followed him and took on his yoke would find rest for their souls. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light.
Jesus’ ministry and promise starkly contrast to earthly rulers who enforce their ways by weighing down and oppressing their servants.
Jesus’ yoke was concerned with bringing the Kingdom of God to earth so all people could experience abundant life. If people chose to follow Jesus, they knew that this was what they were signing up for. Although Jesus warned of the costs of becoming his disciple, the reward and experience would be well worth it.
We must all decide who we pledge our allegiance to. Many people and institutions are vying for our commitment. Many of them offer a yoke that is exhausting, ostracising and even harmful at times – to us and others. Jesus provides us with a yoke that is easy and
light. Where will you pledge your allegiance?
Consider some people and institutions you might be guilty of having pledged your allegiance to. What was your experience of the “yoke” that they
offered?
Consider the yoke that Jesus offers to those that follow him.
How could you best commit to following Jesus to experience the easy and light yoke that he offers to his disciples?
Reflections by Joe Taylor
