HEAL - God's Heart for Healing in MatthewSample

Weary and Burdened

When we or a loved one is struggling with pain, a disease or an illness, it’s a huge burden we carry with us daily. That burden can manifest in anxiety, stress, depression, worry, disillusionment, weakness and fear of the future.  

Jesus gives us a great illustration of how He’s willing to walk with us side by side and carry our burdens. Have you ever seen a pair of oxen being yoked? The yoke is a wooden beam that connects two oxen to enable them to pull a heavy load. So Jesus is saying that when we are worried and burdened, we should pair up with Him.  

Jesus desires us to walk side by side with Him, to learn from Him. Together, yoked with Jesus, we can all handle heavier loads and accomplish far more. He describes his yoke as easy, but there is work to be done. In the Spiritual world, being yoked with him is an act of faith. It’s not a wooden piece you hang over your shoulders, but means coming into a yoked and submitted relationship with Jesus. It means we are not facing our life alone. 

Questions:

1. What is weighing you down?

2. An “easy yoke” is a “custom” yoke of a particular animal, so it does not chafe or hurt when it is worn. What does it mean to you to drop your yoke and come under the “easy” yoke of Jesus?

3. How does that make you feel to think about joining up with the “Yoke-Master”, who is gentle and humble in heart?