Yoked to Jesus

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” †  Mathew 11: 28-30 

What is the labour and burden that Jesus is asking me to deal with? Perhaps I have to let go of the compulsive burden (or is it a sort of entitlement?) that my spouse and children should choose a spiritual path that I know to be right. Jesus accompanied Judas Iscariot to the very end but never deprived him of his freedom to choose his own destiny. Jesus on the other hand, uninterrupted by Judas's choice to reject him, continues to accomplish his mission. He does become a victim of Judas's betrayal but he seldom takes on the victim's identity. In divine wisdom, Jesus chooses to die in our place (and that of Judas) in a redeeming act of love.

Rather than being compelled to fix those whom God has entrusted to my headship by my own wisdom and craft, I must take every conflict, misunderstanding, and difference to the Lord. I must identify with his poverty and accept the privations and persecutions just as Jesus joyfully and willingly did.

Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon yourself and learn from me, for I'm meek and humble, and you will find rest for your souls." Jesus is inviting me to learn from him. To know Jesus is to know the Father. To know the father is to gain wisdom. Scripture says Jesus reveals the father to anyone he chooses. To be one of his chosen, He has invited me to be yoked with Him. The yoke represents my total obedience to Jesus. It is to allow myself to be disciplined by him as I walk alongside him, yoked together. 

Why have I burdened myself with the impossible, a task that is beyond me? Must I not leave these concerns to the one for whom everything is possible? Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest". A soul at rest is a soul imbued with holiness.

In the book of Sirach, wisdom calls "draw near to me" and "put your neck under the yoke." (51, 23,26) I'm yoked with Jesus, and I learn from him. I see him as humble and silent. I notice that, in the presence of his accusers, he is not burdened by a compulsion to prove his innocence or defend his actions, though he knows he has done everything right. 

Is wisdom the ability to give sound advice, or is it something entirely different? I see wisdom himself silent before his accusers and persecutors. Perhaps wisdom is an inner assurance of knowing and being known by the Father. Lean on Jesus so that I may gain wisdom and rest; for wisdom is found in Jesus, and rest is found in the holiness that comes from him. I want to know you and be known by you. May I never cease to gaze upon your holy face oh Jesus, humble and meek, for I choose to be yoked with you forever.