Yoke with me.
A few months ago, during a quiet moment, Jesus whispered, “Yoke with me.”
“Joke with you?” I don’t normally tell jokes. I’m not funny on purpose. I’m somehow funny accidentally.
“No, yoke with me,” he said. We both started laughing!
As a verb, to yoke means to join or bond together.
I asked Jesus why he wanted to yoke with me. I’m not a bible scholar. I didn’t grow up in church. I rarely quote scripture because I can’t remember it. Kids who go to Sunday School know the bible stories, characters and songs better than me. I’m okay with that. Jesus is focusing me on a particular assignment. He’s teaching me what I need to know when I need to know it.
He answered, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Recognizing the phrase, I quickly looked up the bible reference (Matthew 11: 28-30) Thank goodness for Google.
What does yoke mean?
When two oxen are yoked together, they have to agree to move together to get through their work efficiently and effectively. One leads the other follows. One sets the pace and the other works to match it. The farmer benefits from the animals being “in sync” with each other.
The agreement to follow the leader is most important for a smooth work day. Or a happy marriage. And definitely for a trusted relationship with Jesus.
Jesus then presented images of different people that I’ve yoked to in my life. He repeatedly showed me certain images until I saw a pattern that helped me to understand what he wanted to teach me.
A few years ago, I joined a group dedicated to (1) learn more about the Kingdom of God and (2) use lessons from Proverbs to apply to our lives. The fruit of this effort was to learn how to serve the Kingdom and generate income.
I loved it! But as my season with the group came to a close, I realized that something was out of whack.
Jesus used this feeling of “something is off” to help me understand how I yoked with three different aspects of the program.
Who are you yoked with?
First, Daily Bible Study was a very large group, consisting of 100s of people, focused squarely on God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God. We read a chapter of Proverbs each day, discussed it, and shared our wins and revelations as we practiced being disciplined and walking with God.
I would say that as a group, we yoked with Jesus. It was awesome! I rarely missed a morning meeting.
Next, classes and study groups were smaller and focused on marketing products online. I enjoyed the conversations, the bright ideas, the creative projects and the quest that each person felt excited about.
Our charismatic leader wanted all eyes on him. His stage, his platform. He often cautioned us, saying things like, “Keep your mind on me and what I’m teaching you. I’m wealthy! I know what I’m doing.”
So we (the group) yoked with the leader and NOT with Jesus. Big mistake. Of course, I didn’t realize that at the time. Being yoked with Jesus wasn’t something that I understood enough to explain, let alone know that it was actually missing.
Lastly, what our leader was selling (the product). Hey! We live on planet Earth. We all have jobs and need to eat. People sell stuff. Nothing wrong with that. However, he made a severe pivot and shifted to selling financial advice as his primary offering. The entrepreneurial online marketing classes shifted to the background.
What! I disagreed with the shift. I just spent money and time listening to you telling me to build an audience who want to buy what I’m selling. Now, you took your audience for an online marketing product and you expect them to embrace complicated financial education. The conversational gymnastics convincing people to buy got boring. Time to go!
This time, the group yoked with nothing.
I unevenly yoke (bond) with people.
This analysis intrigued me. I decided to investigate my “yoking” practice throughout my life.
Mostly, I found myself to be yoked to all sorts of people in my life. And that brings me to the concept of “unevenly yoked”. If the beasts aren’t pulling together, then life is complicated and work sucks.
Without Jesus in the mix, life was lonely and difficult. I spent time striving to please everyone. I felt worn out (heavy sigh).
- Husband, boyfriends, relationships in general (family, friends, etc.)
- Work: partnerships, groups, boss, employees, customers, suppliers, etc.
- Church: Sometimes, people yoke with the community in their church. They think they are yoked with Jesus, but they are not.
Now, I yoke (bond) with Jesus first.
Now, I let Jesus tell me how to handle a situation. He still relies on me to say what needs to be said and to figure out what needs to be done. I am the “hands and feet and voice” when he wants me to offer an encouraging word, or say no at the right time.
As long as demons and witchcraft rule this world, I will yoke with him and follow his lead. No matter what, he always wins! Engaging in spiritual battle without him is futile.
28 Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, 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.”
Matthew 11: 28-30 (TLV) Tree of Life
Source: Bible Gateway: Matthew 11:28-30 (TLV)
DramaGuru Academy is here to teach you how to navigate the situations in your life. Through Demon Spotting lessons, we reveal the patterns of any demon who is interfering with you and your loved ones. We show you how to stare those demons down as you advance confidently from the First Heaven, through the Second Heaven, towards the Third Kingdom of Heaven.
