We are living in an age of agreement, where anything is provided with the set of rules, regulations and conditions that bind us and subjugate to the provider temporarily or permanently. Getting an apartment for lease, renting a parking lot, setting up the supply of water, gas and electricity, having a phone service or internet provision; everything comes with unending number of tricky rules that make us slaves to the system or service that we want to use and utilize. The education we choose, the employment we take up and the banking system that we associate ourselves with, everything is binding us and everything is a yoke. Any yoke is binding, any yoke is hurting, and any yoke makes us slaves and we accept them all, for that is the norm of the world. Amidst the burden of the entire sets of yokes, an invitation comes from Jesus to accept a new yoke and that is His yoke: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt 11:29) What He proposes is a covenant not the one like human agreement or contract. The yoke He prescribes gives us comfort, peace and calm to our struggling souls. His life and teaching of love and forgiveness need to be taken as the new burden for enjoying the life of tranquility. May God give us the courage to accept His yoke and stride with Him and enjoy His promise of rest that our souls desire and deserve.

Abba, Thank You so much for offering us the yoke of Your Son that removes the pain of all other yokes. Let Your Spirit make us accept this yoke in faith, trust and hope in His promised rest, In Jesus’ Most Peaceful Name, Amen.