The Yoke of Christ?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Lamar

Well-known member
May 21, 2023
1,099
177
63
#1
We are told in Matthew 11:28-30 that we are to put on the yoke of Christ. What does this imply? Does the Father put this yoke on us or do we?
Is the wearing of this yoke a work or a outward symbol of a inward grace?
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
20,461
3,144
113
#2
We are told in Matthew 11:28-30 that we are to put on the yoke of Christ. What does this imply? Does the Father put this yoke on us or do we?
Is the wearing of this yoke a work or a outward symbol of a inward grace?
the yoke is light and that is the key factor, we carry heavy burdens and following the law is a heavy burden Jesus put it in this way to imply that unlike the law or the heavy burdens we carry in our lives his is light meaning he carries the heavy stuff for us this was to be a counter to the heavy burden that was the law that they followed.

This yoke is put on us and is a grace given one we can rest easy in his love and grace while he becomes the heavy burden of the law on himself
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
63,299
31,983
113
#3

Matthew 11 verses 28-30 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. :)
 
Mar 11, 2025
17
20
3
50
#4
We are told in Matthew 11:28-30 that we are to put on the yoke of Christ. What does this imply? Does the Father put this yoke on us or do we?
Is the wearing of this yoke a work or a outward symbol of a inward grace?
I think these verses may help shed some light on your query…

4Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.” Romans 7 NKJV
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,894
3,597
113
Frankston, Victoria
christianlife.au
#5
We are told in Matthew 11:28-30 that we are to put on the yoke of Christ. What does this imply? Does the Father put this yoke on us or do we?
Is the wearing of this yoke a work or a outward symbol of a inward grace?
The answer is yes. Inwardly, it is when we accept the right of the Lord Jesus to be Lord to us. Outwardly, it is the outworking as we obey His leading within us. The reason His burden is light is because He both motivates and empowers us. What is hard is when we seek our own way and do things in our own strength.

In those days, a yoke was custom made for each animal pair. The farmer would pair a young ox with an older, well trained ox. If the young ox tried to go off course, the older ox would restrain it. The harder the immature ox tried, the more uncomfortable it was for it. That's a good example of God's dealings with us. Very often, what we do to ourselves is discipline enough. Note that God does not punish believers. Jesus has already been punished for us. But God will discipline us. Discipline has a real point and purpose. Punishment does little to correct behaviour. Often, it creates resentment and rebellion. We need to see God's dealings with us, even if unpleasant, as discipline, not punishment.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
20,461
3,144
113
#6
The answer is yes. Inwardly, it is when we accept the right of the Lord Jesus to be Lord to us. Outwardly, it is the outworking as we obey His leading within us. The reason His burden is light is because He both motivates and empowers us. What is hard is when we seek our own way and do things in our own strength.

In those days, a yoke was custom made for each animal pair. The farmer would pair a young ox with an older, well trained ox. If the young ox tried to go off course, the older ox would restrain it. The harder the immature ox tried, the more uncomfortable it was for it. That's a good example of God's dealings with us. Very often, what we do to ourselves is discipline enough. Note that God does not punish believers. Jesus has already been punished for us. But God will discipline us. Discipline has a real point and purpose. Punishment does little to correct behaviour. Often, it creates resentment and rebellion. We need to see God's dealings with us, even if unpleasant, as discipline, not punishment.
 
Oct 24, 2012
17,537
742
113
#7
We are told in Matthew 11:28-30 that we are to put on the yoke of Christ. What does this imply? Does the Father put this yoke on us or do we?
Is the wearing of this yoke a work or a outward symbol of a inward grace?
Me, thanking all to the answers given in their being led willingly to see truth over error
Those inserts flooring me, hearing God's truth on love and mercy to us all
thanking y'all
 
Oct 24, 2012
17,537
742
113
#8
We are told in Matthew 11:28-30 that we are to put on the yoke of Christ. What does this imply? Does the Father put this yoke on us or do we?
Is the wearing of this yoke a work or a outward symbol of a inward grace?
God is the light of the world, his done work for us to rest in thanksgiving and praise, not taking this for granted or any self gain
My burden is light, really, not what I see, when got whipped, flogged and beaten on. Wow
And it is stated his burden he took on for us all, is light, what?
I know his being willing to go through that, had to be more than anyone else could bear
And he bared belief to Father all the way through it all, willing let those religious leaders kill him. Willingly. yet he overcame, because he is risen for us to be risen too, presently the gift of God is a present.
Wait a sec, therefore to go through troubles too is easy? not physically ever, Spiritually yes in Father and Son for us to say the same as Jesus said
Nevertheless not my will be done, your will Father, not mine
Can w, in belief go to death too willingly?
John 16:33 I think in the born new life given to us by Father we can, not taking any credit in this ability ever. thanks
Faith
Forever Able in the Heavens. Forwarding all Issues To Heaven
 

Deuteronomy

Well-known member
Jun 11, 2018
3,394
3,774
113
68
#9
In those days, a yoke was custom made for each animal pair. The farmer would pair a young ox with an older, well trained ox. If the young ox tried to go off course, the older ox would restrain it.


Hello Gideon300, @Lamar, et al, I agree that it was typical to yoke a pair of oxen together, a mature "leader/teacher" and an immature "follower/learner", for a number of important reasons (as you mentioned above).

I've loved this passage (Matthew 11:28-30) from the very first time that I read it as a believer (as I suppose most do), and I've always pictured the Lord as the Plowman holding the reins. I've come to believe something else however (for the most part anyway), that our "taking ~HIS~ yoke upon us and ~learning~ from Him" means that He isn't the Plowman holding the reins, but the leader/teacher who we are yoked together with instead.

Thoughts?

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy (David)


Matthew 11
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
 
Oct 24, 2012
17,537
742
113
#10
I have found out free choice remains. from the first day I chose to believe God in risen Son Jesus for me personally as born new from Father to me. I get asked, not told to do, gigantic difference, I see in having to do and choosing to do
For instance: I see a person in need of help with their groceries. Do I have to go and help that person, and if I have to, will I expect a reward or rewards, being a good boy, doing what I have to do? that is the first born flesh and blood under Law having to do and does not do what it knows to do (Romans 7) (1 Cor 13:1-3)
Or is it I choose to help, because I am blessed already by God through risen Son given me to do or not do as I freely now choose to or not! God has Faith too, y'all. God assuredly did in Job the book of Job. now see your name in place of Job
Being given and seeing this new life of love to all over the few I did and remember in first birth before second birth in Father's love and mercy, the Holy Spirit, takes over when one e willingly chooses, not forced or ever manipulated to do, thanks
 
Feb 19, 2025
49
15
8
#11
A rabbi's 'yoke' was a summary statement of his teaching - for Christ, love God and love your neighbor. He was directly addressing the theological hairsplitting that the Saduccees and Pharisees were often involved in and the burden it laid upon the people.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,894
3,597
113
Frankston, Victoria
christianlife.au
#12


Hello Gideon300, @Lamar, et al, I agree that it was typical to yoke a pair of oxen together, a mature "leader/teacher" and an immature "follower/learner", for a number of important reasons (as you mentioned above).

I've loved this passage (Matthew 11:28-30) from the very first time that I read it as a believer (as I suppose most do), and I've always pictured the Lord as the Plowman holding the reins. I've come to believe something else however (for the most part anyway), that our "taking ~HIS~ yoke upon us and ~learning~ from Him" means that He isn't the Plowman holding the reins, but the leader/teacher who we are yoked together with instead.

Thoughts?

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy (David)
Matthew 11
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Absolutely. But Jesus also works through His church, having given gifts to us in order that we might come to maturity and be useful in service. It is damaging to pride to be required to submit to another believer. I spent around 30 years "yoked" to my mentor. I thought I knew a lot because I'd studied God's word a great deal. I had the theory, but my mentor had both theory and reality in experience that I was lacking. There were times when I threw off the yoke, to my own detriment. One day, he said to me, "You've got the goods". It was the time that I realised that I was exactly what God said I was in Christ. My striving had ceased and peace was my normal condition, even if things in my environment were not comfortable.

It's like a storm. The surface may be raging, but below the surface, all is calm. We can be calm in the midst of the storm. I was very ill with a potentially fatal illness. One exasperated doctor complained that I was not taking my condition seriously. And why should I? My life is in the safest possible hands! I did not always have that attitude, that's for sure.
 
Oct 24, 2012
17,537
742
113
#13
Absolutely. But Jesus also works through His church, having given gifts to us in order that we might come to maturity and be useful in service. It is damaging to pride to be required to submit to another believer. I spent around 30 years "yoked" to my mentor. I thought I knew a lot because I'd studied God's word a great deal. I had the theory, but my mentor had both theory and reality in experience that I was lacking. There were times when I threw off the yoke, to my own detriment. One day, he said to me, "You've got the goods". It was the time that I realised that I was exactly what God said I was in Christ. My striving had ceased and peace was my normal condition, even if things in my environment were not comfortable.

It's like a storm. The surface may be raging, but below the surface, all is calm. We can be calm in the midst of the storm. I was very ill with a potentially fatal illness. One exasperated doctor complained that I was not taking my condition seriously. And why should I? My life is in the safest possible hands! I did not always have that attitude, that's for sure.
I understand, going through my own adversities too, thank you, I am not alone
 
Oct 24, 2012
17,537
742
113
#14
Absolutely. But Jesus also works through His church, having given gifts to us in order that we might come to maturity and be useful in service. It is damaging to pride to be required to submit to another believer. I spent around 30 years "yoked" to my mentor. I thought I knew a lot because I'd studied God's word a great deal. I had the theory, but my mentor had both theory and reality in experience that I was lacking. There were times when I threw off the yoke, to my own detriment. One day, he said to me, "You've got the goods". It was the time that I realised that I was exactly what God said I was in Christ. My striving had ceased and peace was my normal condition, even if things in my environment were not comfortable.

It's like a storm. The surface may be raging, but below the surface, all is calm. We can be calm in the midst of the storm. I was very ill with a potentially fatal illness. One exasperated doctor complained that I was not taking my condition seriously. And why should I? My life is in the safest possible hands! I did not always have that attitude, that's for sure.
And God's true Church is revealed too me in Hebrews 8:1-4
 
Oct 19, 2024
4,216
937
113
#16
The answer is yes. Inwardly, it is when we accept the right of the Lord Jesus to be Lord to us. Outwardly, it is the outworking as we obey His leading within us. The reason His burden is light is because He both motivates and empowers us. What is hard is when we seek our own way and do things in our own strength.

In those days, a yoke was custom made for each animal pair. The farmer would pair a young ox with an older, well trained ox. If the young ox tried to go off course, the older ox would restrain it. The harder the immature ox tried, the more uncomfortable it was for it. That's a good example of God's dealings with us. Very often, what we do to ourselves is discipline enough. Note that God does not punish believers. Jesus has already been punished for us. But God will discipline us. Discipline has a real point and purpose. Punishment does little to correct behaviour. Often, it creates resentment and rebellion. We need to see God's dealings with us, even if unpleasant, as discipline, not punishment.
Perhaps that analogy is comparable to that of the one set of footprints in the sand:

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and when I looked back at the footprints in the sand, I noticed that at the lowest and saddest times in my life, there was only one set of footprints, and I questioned the Lord about it, saying "Lord, during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints, and I don't understand why you would leave me. The Lord replied, "My child, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
 
Oct 24, 2012
17,537
742
113
#17
Through much tribulation we enter the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). You don't hear that from prosperity preachers.
No, I have not either as well as I have never heard any preaching on Hebrews 8:1-4 either
Or the truth of Hebrews 6 if add chapter 5:12 -6 with it and then might get it,
there is no more sacrifice for any more sin ever, that got done in Son once for us all to get given new life in us, imputed to us in love and mercy to all
Feed my sheep, feed what? Food or Spirit of love and mercy for us all to get along and not fight anymore
Well, if that came true, then a gathering would become real wouldn't it, no more flesh fights?
As I see, Jesus did not flesh fight back at all, went to that cross willingly once for all for all to either believe it and be new in it, the resurrection too or not. At Least be learning willingly from God not the self or anyone else anymore. Yet hearing and not fighting over things about hurting flesh. no way once in love Back to God in God's love first, we love because God loved us first
1 John 2 thank you God loves us all y'all
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,894
3,597
113
Frankston, Victoria
christianlife.au
#18
Perhaps that analogy is comparable to that of the one set of footprints in the sand:

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and when I looked back at the footprints in the sand, I noticed that at the lowest and saddest times in my life, there was only one set of footprints, and I questioned the Lord about it, saying "Lord, during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints, and I don't understand why you would leave me. The Lord replied, "My child, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
1,388
799
113
#19
I'll be honest, many times I ask the Lord to carry my burdens, sometimes he does and sometimes I feel like he doesn't.
 
Oct 19, 2024
4,216
937
113
#20
I'll be honest, many times I ask the Lord to carry my burdens, sometimes he does and sometimes I feel like he doesn't.
Just remember to walk by faith, not by feelings.
Also, be faithful in learning GW so that you will have a reservoir of Truth on which to draw in times of spiritual drought.