Nougat 14

What to do when we can’t catch a break? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus continued His appeal by noting that the yoke attached to Him is easy to bear; yet the life of a Faith-filled believer is not easy! John the Baptist was beheaded shortly after. That doesn’t quite sound like an easy yoke; it seems rather heavy. What do you think?

Before coming to a final conclusion, we ought to recall that the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7, is very explicit about the believers facing hardship. We will be reviled, persecuted, be lied about, set up, etc. The challenges can and will come, whether we are ready or not. Jesus Himself was crucified; but God did not save Him.

Thus the ease of being yoked with Jesus cannot mean a problem-free life. It must be something else. And in response, I am drawn to Stephen; the Deacon-turned-Apostle. We’re introduced to him in Acts 6, where he’s selected as a deacon and gets arrested. He preaches to his jailers and the religious leaders in Acts 7; and is stoned to death by the end of the chapter. If anyone had reason to complain about a raw deal; he did!

However we note that because He was yoked with Jesus; Stephen saw God’s glory (fulfilled) being in his life; and was able to forgive his accusers and those who stoned him! My dears, that right there is the testimony! The icing on the cake however, is that Saul of Tarsus was part of the crowd! Yes, the one and only Saul aka Paul. Despite Stephen’s bitter God’s sweet came.

What I then perceive, is that the yoke Jesus bears doesn’t preclude us from danger; it strengthens us to face the danger. It doesn’t prevent burdens; rather it transfers our focus to the One Who carries us through.

I emphasize these, as we often get it twisted. Yes; we are invited to be yoked with Jesus when burdened. No, we are not guaranteed a burden-free life. So when we can’t catch a break; we lean in to The One Who is able to keep us, to teach us and offers to ease our burden as we’re yoked together.

Can we? Will we?

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May all we seek be found in Christ