“Be yoked”

Guest Minister – Rev, Caesar J. David, Union Park United Methodist Church, Des Moines, Iowa

Scripture Lessons:

Psalm 45:10-17
Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:

Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

“Be yoked”

As we celebrate Independence day (USA). It’s the day when we thank God for having the freedom as a country and also as individuals. What’s the difference? We must realize that there are countries in the world that are independent, but that does not automatically translate to freedom for its people.

If we think about our freedom and privileges against the backdrop of what’s happening in other countries around the world, maybe we will realize how precious this freedom is. We may have been taking it for granted or even feeling entitled. It is indeed our privilege; we’re just blessed to have it. We must ponder over a few things as we think about our freedom. For example, we must ask if our exercise of freedom is getting in the way of other people s experience of freedom that they’re also entitled to. Do I care? May be not. But what happens when someone else’s idea of freedom gets in my face? I hope we’re grappling with those kind of questions as we think of our freedom on this occasion of Independence day.

• Am I abusing the freedom I have?

• Am I misusing the freedom I have?

• Am I under-using the freedom I have?

There may not be clear-cut answers, but we do have certain directions that we can think in. And that direction comes from the Word of God which alone is the path of blessing.

So, we cherish our freedom. God made us free. God gives freedom and our national constitution ensures it. With the kind of fierce independence that is our very soul, it might be hard to read a passage such as in Matthew 11:25-30 which talks about a Yoke. First of all, what’s a yoke? The dictionary says: a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull.

Lets talk about this yoke and what it may mean for as especially as we re thinking about this great land of America, freedom and the current context.

1. Yoke signifies partnership.

First of all there is the concept of partnership. It s a move away from being alone. The concept of partnership is strongly recommended in the Bible. Right from creating man and woman as a couple, to the pairs of animals in Noah’s ark, to Jesus sending out the apostles two by two, and later the promise of the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide and accompany us, we know that God wants us to have help and not struggle in our own strength.

So, being yoked would also mean having Jesus as a partner, He’s there to help and lighten your burden. His yoke, His way, is the lighter load to bear in this world in which there are forces that work to destroy us. Praise God for Jesus is with us. He struggles with us. He shares our burden and makes it light. He takes upon Himself the biggest burden which is the burden of sin and its resultant punishment. And that is why we’re free – from the burden of sin and eternal death.

Take my yoke upon you.,. and you will find rest for your souls’. Yoke signifies control.

The idea of ‘being controlled’ can be repulsive at first blush. But let s think a little deeper about the whole idea of control. Is all control bad? Is it helpful in some way?

For example, is it helpful in the sense of having a direction, purpose and becoming a blessing. The yoke is part of the instrument and process that is used to plough the land, to make it fertile and productive. Taking that yoke means giving a degree of control to God for us to be used as a blessing in that land. President Kennedy spoke these famous words “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country”. And I’m sure that we all find that inspiring and we seek to do everything in our power to make our country great.

This Independence day, let’s think about the ways in which I am a blessing to this land.

Being yoked also removes the focus from ourselves and we know that ifs not all about me Freedom and Responsibility are just two sides of the same coin. Sometimes we take more seriously our freedom and not seriously enough our responsibility and what we owe. When we are able to look beyond ourselves well know that it s also about the land that I belong to, the people of this land; it’s about us all.

When we re yoked with Christ, our lives are in tandem with the values of Christ. These values and principles include 一

• love and forgiveness,

• unity, peace and justice,

• serving and being the least

• putting ourselves last

• forbearance and kindness

• equality

• etc.

May God bless us to understand His Word and to accept His offer of Salvation, His offer of unburdening ourselves and becoming an instrument of blessing to people and the land that we co-habit.

-Prayer –

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for blessing us to have the privileges of this land and its people. Forgive our arrogance, ignorance and negligence. Teach us to be sensitive, grateful and eager to be a blessing. Help us find rest within so that we will have peace around us.

Amen.