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Retreat and Conference Center at Bon Secours
Yoked with the Lord
July 18, 2013
THE PROMISE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
“Come 2me, all who labor & R burdened & I’ll give U
rest
Ø
Take yoke upon you & you’ll find rest 4 selves
Ø
For my yoke easy & burden light”
Ø
2 understand what J means
& how he can help us, have 2 know what he means by his “yoke”
YOKE FIT +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
None of us has ploughed
field w/ team of oxen
Ø
In J’ day, only way to
do it
Ø
A “yoke” = wooden collar fit around neck of oxen & connected them
2 plough
Ø
In J’ time, carpenters
handcrafted each 2 fit ox
Ø
If fit well, could
plough all day & 5x its weight
Ø
But if not fit well,
rubbed & chafed & cut into ox until each step = torture
Ø
U can C why a carpenter
would be known by quality of yokes he crafted
YOKE DOUBLED ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Also practice 2 have
oxen in double yoke
Ø
Usually 2 oxen joined
together by yoke & together pulling plough
Ø
A younger, weaker ox
trained by pairing it w/ stronger, mature ox
Ø
So stronger 1 ended up
bearing heavier portion of load & led younger less experienced ox on
Application +++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø W/ image of double well-fitted
yokes can begin 2 understand what Jesus means by “My yoke is easy & my burden light”
Ø Maxim holds true for
both individual & Lord
Ø When we R bearing loss
in our lives, challenged by circumstances beyond control, when we feel lost &
forsaken then, need to remember…
Ø Yoke was made to
fit me, I am w/ Jesus in yoke, & not pulling load alone
CONCLUSION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Far from it, J right
there next to me, pulling load w/ and, like stronger, more mature ox, he’s
bearing heavier portion
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
