Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 6 v 14 - 18; Isaiah 9 v 4;
Isaiah 58 v 6; Matthew 11 v 28 - 30.
The usual application of the word 'yoke' is when oxen are
yoked together to pull a cart or a plough. The yoke over their necks keeps them
at a fixed distance apart so they don't go in wrong directions. It keeps them
on a strait (disciplined) and narrow path.
Jesus says we must come to Him if our burdens are too
heavy and He will refresh us (this is like when there is an error on the page
and we need to refresh the page so it comes up error free). He says we should
take His yoke upon us because it is light and not burdensome.
In Corinthians Paul warns us not to be unevenly yoked
with others. This uneven yoke can refer to Christians marrying unbelievers
which will cause problems and discord later. It can be a business partnership
with unbelievers that could compromise your integrity. The Father says come out
from among them and be separated unto Me.
In Isaiah 58 the Lord says we must fast to break the yoke
of oppression. Sin and demons are the oppressors who yoke us into evil or
criminal activities. We are oppressed by illegal drugs that destroy our lives;
or alcoholism; or sexual sin. We are robbed by oppressors who hijack us, rape
and steal from us. Corrupt government officials oppress us.
To break the yoke of these oppressors can be achieved by
fasting on water only for three days and getting your life right with God.
If every Christian would fast three days to remove
oppressive governments we would see the chains of evil broken and the oppressed
go free. The chains of drug and alcohol addiction can be broken by fasting.
Other oppressive uneven yokes are formed through
adultery, homosexuality, child abuse and pre-marital sex. These sexual yokes
form "soul ties" which are demonic holds that cause great anguish and
sorrow.
So there are many types of yokes and the only one we
should have is the light and easy yoke of Jesus in which we are joined to Him
and receive great benefits. We do need to walk the strait and narrow path to
life. Jesus says very few ever find it.
It is a life that does not conform to this world. It is a
life totally submitted to the will of God in which self is crucified and you
sing I Surrender All and mean it. The rewards of this life are a very intimate
walk with Jesus matched with powerful authority in the spirit realm. A life where
you have the liberty to do whatever you like but choose not to because you love
the Lord Jesus Christ with such intensity.
The consecrated life is blessed by the Lord in that every
need is met and you have a deep awareness of other's spiritual needs.
So take this time to break every yoke that has brought
you into bondage and given you heavy burdens to carry. Jesus is waiting for you
to roll these burdens onto Him because He cares for you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father You looked on the burdens of the
Jews in Egypt and You sent a Deliverer called Moses. You saw their burdens
under the Romans and you sent a Messiah and Deliverer called Jesus Christ. He
still delivers us from burdens and demons to this day. Let us heed Your Word
and submit to His deliverance so that we can humbly wear His light yoke on our
shoulders. In Jesus' name. Amen.