Becoming Yoked

I regularly read an insightful BLOG called Unending Luck. The BLOG is written as if each post was a carving, meaning a lasting impression. The subject that is addressed is that of “runes”. “A rune is a ‘letter’ in the old ‘alphabet’ of the Teutonic languages (Old English, Old Norse, and so forth). Each rune has its own sound and name.” By exploring the original meaning of these letters one may have a greater understand of “the Word.” You might want to go over to this link and check out some of these insights, but start from the beginning.

On one of the “carvings” or posts, the author explored the meaning of the word “yoke”, which reminded me of some insights I had gained while listening to a speaker during Sacrament meeting.

When I think of a yoke, I think of two beasts connected together by the yoke itself, trying to become one as they progress forward in their path or work.

Many times the scripture reference from Matthew 11 is considered when the term yoke is used.

28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 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.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I have heard many individuals use the analogy that the load is lighter because the Savior is in the yoke with us. Although this is a great thought, I felt the impression that when Jesus instructs us to “take his yoke” upon us, that He is the owner of the yoke, not the beast of burden who is along side of us.

Along this train of thought, most of the other scripture references that are given, using the analogy of the yoke, are ones in which the individual is referred to as under the "yoke of captivity". This oppressive picture is because of the choices they have either made as a nation or as an individual. The individual is continually trying to “break free” from this yoke because of the burden it brings. The yoke of sin is one example of an oppressive situation.

When we take upon us the yoke of Christ it is the act of submitting ourselves into His service. His work is neither oppressive nor constraining, but is rewarding allowing us the freedom to progress.

So you may wonder… who are the two individuals in the yoke itself? I believe it is a beautiful illustration of the concept of the duality of man. It is the process of becoming one heart and one mind with that of the owner of the yoke. The natural man and the saint working side by side until they can, by submission, finally move forward without tugging at each other.

Sometimes, even when we think we are wearing the proper yoke, we might find ourselves going in circles. I believe it is because we have not learned that being a divided individual thwarts our progress and the work of the Lord too. This molding of our “self” into the beautiful Zion individual that we must become can be a painful and strenuous process, but is always made easier if we submit to the will of the owner of the yoke.

When our body and our spirit learn to work together we find ourselves going forward in a straight direction. We learn that we can neither turn to the right hand nor to the left, but by submitting to the will of the owner of the yoke and pressing forward in faith, we can stay on the straight and narrow way. That way is back to the presence of the Father, where we find rest to our souls.

What are the impressions you get when you think about a yoke?