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"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." Jesus (Matthew 11:29) |
Oxen are co-workers; their master trains and guides them. In the Matthew 11 metaphor, Jesus is our Master but also our Co-worker. He could force the yoke on us, but He doesn't. He waits until our love and reverence for Him compels us to learn His ways. Then He works alongside us, bearing a yoke that has no place on His own neck so that He can carry the heavier part of the load and at the same time let us learn the rhythm of His movements and steps. Some of us oxen take a very, very long time to train. There may be a giant storehouse somewhere containing all the yokes I've torn off or damaged in my rebellion and foolishness. But He isn't angry or dismayed. Only God is holy; the rest of us need a Redeemer.
"Our Lord does not pretend we are all right when we are all wrong. The Atonement is a propitiation whereby God through the death of Jesus makes an unholy man holy." Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (classic), December 8 |