Yoke of the Torah
For most of my life I had not heard about taking up the yoke of the Torah. As a farm lad I easily understood the yoke metaphor as being hitched with a horse or ox and pulling a load. Being hitched to Jesus made perfect sense, since he offered to carry most of the load easily.
We had a Clydesdale who literally saved our lives one December as we were lost in a blizzard coming home from a school Christmas concert. The snow off the trail was very deep, and the other horse, a Standard bred, was too light to carry a burden as heavy as a bobsled loaded with family members.
The Standard bred was hard pressed and falling down, while the Clydesdale pulled the entire load and basically dragged the horse sharing the yoke. I fear that is often the case when we share our burdens with the Lord. We are ourselves falling down, and our poor cry brings immediate comfort and help.
“Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light”(Matthew 11:28-30).
According to ancient tradition devout Jews were encouraged to take up the “yoke of the Torah” or the “yoke of the law of the Lord.” This prayerful study was to help the participant experience interior freedom from the yokes of oppression and worldly concerns.
The psalmist proclaims, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul” (Psalm 19:8). Indeed, God’s word helps us understand that we are called to a life of joy and privilege.
“Shoulder my yoke and learn from me” – the disciples of Jesus understood that when he invited them to take up his teaching and ponder his word, their burdens would be lightened, and they would find relief from their worries and concerns. There is much to learn reading the Word of the Lord
The truth of this is easy for us to follow. So many consoling passages in the psalms and scripture address our daily worries. “I was hard pressed and falling [down] but the Lord helped me” (Psalm 118:13). This is one of my favourite passages, especially if I am wearing my Hard Pressed shirt made in Saskatoon.
So many passages lift us and give us courage and inspiration. Some of my favourites include
“Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).
“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Faithful trust will bring blessings and fruit in due time. I am reminded of the poem written during World War II by a prisoner in the Cologne concentration camp:
“I believe in the sun
even when it is not shining
And I believe in love,
even when there’s no one there.
And I believe in God,
even when he is silent.
The promise of scripture reassures us: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10.
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