It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

Ladies, I have to admit—it’s the being free in this world of ours with its expectations that gets tricky. And way back then, a mere fifteen or so years from the cross, Paul’s friends in Galatia were being burdened by the rule-making of the religious zealots. Considering that God’s concept of freedom in Eden with its one rule had spiraled down to the 613 Torah plus multi oral laws by Jesus’ time, it was not surprising. Faith was too easy. Let’s add a little circumcision here, some dietary restrictions there, a few of the old feast days. Then you will be saved for sure.  

The topic of yokes seemed the most illustrative to Paul: “In that agrarian culture of Galatia, everyone knew that a yoke went across the necks of two beasts of burden, just in front of their shoulders, and connected them to the plow or wagon they were to pull” (Holman online commentary). Ostensibly two pulling together would lighten the load. Realistically, the stronger would determine the direction. If they got in the yoke with even one of the traditions—circumcision, dietary, Sabbath—they would gradually be obligated to obey the whole law(5:3). Enslaved!

On the other hand, Jesus had something positive to say about yokes: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). He wasn’t negating rules, merely inviting us into His yoke with Him where the rules would be easy to obey, light to carry.  

What were the basics of Jesus’ yoke and burden? Two rules sum it all up, two rules of love. As Jesus Himself said: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’” and “‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two” (Matthew 22:37-40).  

Now that’s a yoke worth getting into, a yoke of real freedom. In the yoke with Jesus you will fully understand how to really be free.  

Nancy P