The Easy Yoke
Posted by Connor on December 13th, 2006
The 11th chapter of Matthew features an extended promise from our Savior to all who will listen and obey:
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Elder Holland emphasizes the importance of the first part of this message:
In this promise, that introductory phrase, “come unto me,” is crucial. It is the key to the peace and rest we seek. Indeed, when the resurrected Savior gave His sermon at the temple to the Nephites in the New World, He began, “Blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Broken Things to Mend,” Ensign, May 2006, 69)
Like all promises extended from God, this one has a condition that requires obedience in order to receive the promised blessing, which in this case is the “easy yoke” Christ offers us. We must come unto Christ, following His example.
The promise of “rest” to all those who bear heavy burdens may seem at times like a mirage on the horizon of our struggles—far away, and too good to be true. But the mirage isn’t an illusion. We can indeed reach that paradise and take part in the “rest” only Christ give. To do so, we must “take [his] yoke upon [us], and learn of [him].”
Camille Fronk, Associate Professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU, makes an interesting note that Christ’s statement “learn of me” should be translated “learn from me”. Once again Christ reminds us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. We can only come to the Father (or, return to Heaven) by coming unto Christ. He is our Exemplar.
How we best come unto Christ is such an interesting topic that it would best be reserved for a separate post at a later time. The point I wish to discuss is the issue of Christ’s yoke being easy.
When our burdens are already heavy, and when the yoke with which we carry ourselves down the straight and narrow path presses down upon us, how is it that taking Christ’s yoke upon us makes things easier?
President Hunter explains:
In Biblical times, the yoke was a device of great assistance to those who tilled the field. It allowed the strength of a second animal to linked and coupled with the strength of a single animal, sharing and reducing the heavy labor of the plow or wagon. A burden that was overwhelming or perhaps impossible for one could be equitably and comfortably borne by two bound together with a common yoke . . .
Why face life’s burdens alone, Christ asks, or why face them with temporal support that will quickly falter. To the heavy laden it is Christ’s yoke, it is the power and peace of standing side by side with a God that will provide the support, balance, and strength to meet our challenges and endure our tasks here in the hardpan field of mortality. (Conference Report, October 1990, p. 20)
Further elaborating on how Christ’s yoke is easier than the ones we like to carry, Brother Gibbons (a great UVSC institute teacher!) makes the following stirring statement:
His yoke requires covenants and obedience and sacrifice, but in return he removes the burdens of sin and uncertainty and darkness, burdens infinitely greater in scope and weight. He shows us where we are going and gives us the power to get there. The paralytic lowered through the roof had a bed to carry home after his healing (Mark 2:2-12) but the bed cannot have weighed more than the infirmity the Savior removed from him. The peace that came to Alma following his repentance and conversion required a lifetime of sacrifice and service, but it required less of him than the pain he felt when he came face to face with his own rebellion. (Ted L. Gibbons, New Testament Lesson #10)
I have a good friend who is struggling in just about every area of life. This person frequently runs into trouble, and anything that can go wrong seems to. Whenever I talk to him I’m amazed at the pattern I see. Clearly, this person would enjoy an easier life should he decide to start obeying the commandments and living as Christ has asked. By obeying the commandments, he would not only receive strength and blessings needed to meet future trials, but also would be spared certain trials and their negative consequences because of his cleaner behavior and attitude.
I contrast this person with role models in my own life—people who, in my opinion, are much further along the straight and narrow path than others I see around me. These people, seeking to emulate Christ and “come unto Him”, enjoy countless blessings and happiness right now. For them, the distant mirage is a present paradise, bringing them comfort, security, and peace. They have learned to be yoked with Christ, humbly sharing with Him their burdens and taking His easy yoke upon them. They have found His rest.
We can find His rest, too. First, we must come unto Him, and then we must take His yoke upon us. We must shed our pride and cease to think that we can do it all alone. We were never meant to do it alone. Christ offers us His easier yoke, granting us access to His strength and support.
Again, as President Hunter said:
Why face life’s burdens alone, Christ asks, or why face them with temporal support that will quickly falter. To the heavy laden it is Christ’s yoke, it is the power and peace of standing side by side with a God that will provide the support, balance, and strength to meet our challenges and endure our tasks here in the hardpan field of mortality.
I can’t think of a better way to get through life.
Connor, well done my friend. Maybe it is because I just read this now, but this may be my favorite post of all that I have read from you. Very well tied together, with every base covered. Your sincerety shined through I think.
I almost feel like I have nothing to add. Thoughts that came to my mind were addressed.
Even with additional responsibilities and meetings my life is much better and easier than it would be with no gospel in it. I am afraid of what I might be like without it.
Again, very well done.
Comment # 1 left by Eric Nielson on December 13th, 2006
Thanks, Eric!
Even with additional responsibilities and meetings my life is much better and easier than it would be with no gospel in it. I am afraid of what I might be like without it.
I completely agree. In fact, there have been varying times of my life where I’ve speculated where I’d be and what I’d be doing without the gospel in my life. After a few minutes, I lose all desire to even know, because I know I’d essentially be lost in the world, “eating, drinking, and being merry” with no care for consequence. The gospel is such a blessing in my life. What’s funny is that others tend to think it must be hard to be a Mormon because of all the “rules”.. but I believe just the opposite. God’s guidelines provide a sense of security that can come in no other way.
Comment # 2 left by Connor Boyack on December 13th, 2006
For me, one of the hardest lessons to learn in life has been that it is not part of God’s plan for anyone to “rescue” me from my trials. My problems are mine, and for me to experience and learn from. And it has mostly been through those trials that I have felt the urgent need for and comfort of the yoke of Christ.
Very nice post!
Comment # 3 left by C Jones on December 13th, 2006
When we think of taking on us the yoke of Christ, it is easy to mistake that at first reading for a burden, a weight, something to rest on our shoulders that was not there before.
That explanation of the image of the yoke is a critical piece in understanding the Savior’s message there.
Each of us, individually, before we come to a place of faith, a oneness in the Atonement, is already hitched to our own heavily-laden wagon. By adding a yoke, He does not add an additional weight, but rather splits the weight that we were already toting.
The Atonement is so profoundly beautiful in its scope, isn’t it—the implicit promise being that when we are truly one with Him, pulling in the same direction, walking step for step with Him, our load is greatly lessened.
Of course, there is effort in making such work, and we all know what will become of the the team that is unequally yoked. What a beautiful sentiment, for each of us as fellow Children of God lies in that aspect of the image. For us to be yoked with Christ implied that we will be evenly yoked, that we can be as He is…What a message of hope is in that! That I/we can be evenly yoked with He who lived a sinless life! That’ll lighten your burdens…y’know? How freeing…
Wow, thanks Connor for this study on such an uplifting theme!
Comment # 4 left by Naiah Earhart on December 13th, 2006
C Jones,
For me, one of the hardest lessons to learn in life has been that it is not part of God’s plan for anyone to “rescue” me from my trials. My problems are mine, and for me to experience and learn from.
While people aren’t meant to rescue you, per se, I firmly believe that as instruments in God’s hands we can and should help each other when and where possible. We must face the consequences of our own decisions, but the ride can be made more smooth with the counsel or help of other people whom God has placed in our path.
Naiah,
Each of us, individually, before we come to a place of faith, a oneness in the Atonement, is already hitched to our own heavily-laden wagon. By adding a yoke, He does not add an additional weight, but rather splits the weight that we were already toting.
Very true. We already have a yoke upon us—a heavy one. By switching over to Christ’s yoke, we don’t necessarily remove our burdens, but allow Him to make them lighter and grant us access to infinite strength and wisdom.
The Atonement is so profoundly beautiful in its scope, isn’t it…
Beautiful, and simple. Sure, the depths of the gospel (God’s mysteries) have no end and can lead the curious student to look past the mark, but at its core the gospel is so simple. Love God, and love each other. The two greatest commandments really comprise all else we can and should do. If we truly love God, we’ll come unto Him, obey His commandments, and make and honor covenants with Him.
For us to be yoked with Christ implied that we will be evenly yoked, that we can be as He is…
Hard to comprehend, but yes, I believe this to be completely true!
Comment # 5 left by Connor Boyack on December 13th, 2006
This is wonderful. I’m still mad, though, that you snatched up this theme first. [very huge grin!]
I gave a talk earlier this year that was associated with this scripture. You can find it here if you are interested (scroll down to the second entry).
Comment # 6 left by Michelle on December 13th, 2006
Great post Connor. This is one of my favorite themes to ponder and to talk about.
I find it so funny that Mormons love to display and quote that picture of Christ that says: “I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it.” Whenever someone brings that up, I always say “um, actually he did say it would be easy!!”
My take on how coming to Christ makes our burdens light can be found in his comparing our relationship to that of the bride and bridegroom. It is an intimate relationship and a relationship of deep love.
I remember a day at BYU when a roommate who I was not close friends with and who I found annoying called up and asked that I come pick her up from the airport in SLC. I did so, but I did it so begrudgingly, it seemed like such an inconvenience. Then years later my fiancée, who I loved passionately, asked me to pick him up from the airport. This time I was out the door with a big smile on my face. The difference? A relationship of intimacy and love.
When we come to Christ, when we have a relationship with Him, being obedient and doing the things He has asked us to do, flow naturally from that love. It doesn’t seem like a burden. When we are far from the Spirit and Him, it seems like church service and covenants are heavy and oppressive.
Comment # 7 left by Katie on December 13th, 2006
Katie,
What a powerful analogy! Thank you for sharing that. I love your last paragraph. To me, that also sort of ties together the concepts of works and grace. We open our hearts and come to Christ, and His grace fills our lives, which fills us more and more with His perfect love, which changes our natures, which makes us abound in good works because He lives in us — His works start to become our own. It’s an upward spiral of love and power and peace that is amazing.
Comment # 8 left by Michelle on December 13th, 2006
I thoroughly believe in the Gospel that Connor preaches in this quote. To me, this is an integral part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ- that we come unto Him and our burdens will be light.
Peter, after Christ’s death, also exhorts the people to
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 2 Peter 5:6-7.
I truly do believe that Jesus Christ cares, and I also have experienced the lightness of facing the same challenges in life yoked with my Savior instead of the arm of flesh, philosophy, or pedantics. It is good to remember that throughout the year, but Christmas is an especially appropriate time.
Comment # 9 left by Jordan on December 14th, 2006
I would add the following 2 points:
1. Christ was speaking to the Jews when he spoke these words, so in that context the yoke and burden that Christ offers are much easier and lighter than those required by the Law of Moses.
2. On a more personal note, the “burden” of service to others often seems to be quite light as the Spirit assists me (spiritually and physically).
Comment # 10 left by Capt. Obsidian on December 14th, 2006
Obsidian,
I understand your point #1, but I disagree with it. Christ said his yoke was easy, not easier. There was no comparison made to the law of Moses, though his listeners were practicing that system. The statement was a general one, allowing its application to be much more broad.
Comment # 11 left by Connor Boyack on December 14th, 2006