…. learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29b
The metaphor of a young ox being yoked to a more experienced one is a fascinating picture of the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with us and the work he wants to do in our souls. This metaphor is an invitation to take the yoke of apprenticeship under Jesus. Now, saying yes to Jesus’ invitation won’t be easy, for it requires surrendering our will to him to be spiritually formed as we learn to live in his way. However, this is the best decision we can make.
Being yoked to Jesus implies being in the right place learning from the right person. Maybe you are wondering if the yoke of apprenticeship is the best option for you, if that’s the case, let me assure you that learning from Jesus is the most exciting transformational journey a person can take. The other option is to go through life relying on other people’s instructions or advice.
In best-case scenarios, we might learn from human experts how to make good decisions in some particular matters. The problem is that no human expert is infallible. Human experts fail. But Jesus, the God-man, never fails! His teachings are infallible and his intentions are pure. In a world where there’s so much manipulation and abuse, Jesus presents himself as a gentle and humble Teacher. He’s the Teacher from whom we can learn and trust so that our souls can finally find rest from our weariness and burdens. His words and actions testify to his character and reliability!
Pastor Esteban