GregLaurie: "to be yoked to Jesus is to serve and obey Him"

Devotionals by A New Beginning

Every Day in Every Way

Greg Laurie

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

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"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
—Matthew 11:29

My wife is a very good driver. She is very careful. But I don't like to be driven around by my wife, because I am a consummate backseat driver. I am constantly giving her instructions: "Turn right . . . get in the right lane. Get in it now! Now! Okay . . . hurry! Go around that person. . . ." I think she has found it easier to just let me drive. 

Many times, we can be that way with God. He says, "Give me the steering wheel," but we are saying, "Lord, speed up. Speed up! Speed up!! No, Lord, get out of this lane. I don't like this. Change this. . . . " But He wants to be in control. 

When Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you" (Matthew 11:29), He meant that we are to submit ourselves to Him every day in every way. A yoke was made of wood, handcarved to fit the neck and shoulders of the animal to prevent pain or discomfort. In ancient culture, the word "yoke" was a term that was used to describe submission. So when someone was described as being yoked to someone or something, it was communicating the idea that he or she was in submission to that person or thing. 

So to be yoked to Jesus is to serve and obey Him. Before you bristle at that idea, consider this: everyone is yoked to someone or something. The question is to whom or what do you want to be yoked? Some are yoked to the power of sin. They are under its control. Some are yoked in a relationship with unbelievers, and the Bible warns very specifically against that (see 2 Corinthians 6:14).

You are yoked to someone or something. So why not be yoked to Jesus?