April 25 – Under the Yoke of Christ

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 11:29-30, KJV

The tempter often whispers that the Christian life is full of demands and harsh duties—that it is a burden to always be watchful, and that there is no need to be so careful. This is the same deception he used to lead Eve astray in Eden, persuading her that God's commands were arbitrary and unfair. His goal has never changed: to deceive and destroy. But by studying the life of Christ, by drawing close to Him, and imitating His example, we become more discerning. The more we reflect His character, the more clearly we recognize the enemy’s snares, and the stronger we stand against them.

True happiness is not found in pleasing ourselves or indulging our own desires. It is found in learning from Christ, taking His yoke upon us, and carrying His burden. Those who rely on their own wisdom and follow their own paths often complain bitterly. The burden of self—tied on by pride and selfishness—is heavy, and the yoke that links them to the enemy is painful. But everything would change if they would only come to Jesus, and by His grace, cast off the enemy's yoke, take up Christ’s light burden, and allow His yoke to bind them to Him in joyful and willing service.

Jesus loves the young and longs to see them living in the peace that only He can give. To be a true disciple of Christ means learning from Him day by day—conquering each flawed trait of character, step by step, while daily drawing nearer to the perfect Pattern. If we hope to inherit the mansions He has gone to prepare, then we must be forming here the kind of character that fits us to live among Heaven’s citizens.

God’s commands are given in wisdom and love. Obedience to them expands the mind, refines the character, and brings a peace the world can neither give nor take away. When the heart is fully surrendered to Christ, His ways are found to be pleasant and full of peace.

The yoke of Christ is not a chain of restraint, but a bond of fellowship. It brings rest—not by removing responsibility, but by sharing it with the One who is meek, lowly, and mighty to save.