There is a wonderful legend concerning the quiet years of Jesus, the years
prior to his visible ministry. The legend claims that Jesus the carpenter
was one of the master yoke-makers in the Nazareth area. People came from
miles around for a yoke, hand carved and crafted by Jesus son of Joseph.
When customers arrived with their team of oxen Jesus would spend
considerable time measuring the team, their height, the width, the space
between them, and the size of their shoulders. Within a week, the team would
be brought back and he would carefully place the newly made yoke over the
shoulders, watching for rough places, smoothing out the edges and fitting
them perfectly to this particular team of oxen.
That's the yoke Jesus invites us to take. Do not be misled by the word
"easy," for its root word in Greek speaks directly of the tailor-made yokes:
they were "well-fitting." The yoke Jesus invites us to take, the yoke that
brings rest to weary souls, is one that is made exactly to our lives and
hearts. The yoke he invites us to wear fits us well, does not rub us nor
cause us to develop sore spirits and is designed for two. His yokes were
always designed for two. And our yoke-partner is none other than Christ
himself.
Running throughout all scripture from the beginning to the end is the theme
that ours is a burden bearing Christ. He is not just a Lord whom we burden,
and we do, but a Lord who actually solicits our burdens. I want to think
with you this morning concerning that thought. He who would be effective
must first be free from his burdens. And, it is Christ who frees us. Frees
us from.
1. The burden of sin
2. The burden of self-righteousness.
3. Our own burdens. So we can bear the burden of others.
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