Jesus’ Yoke — Christianity as a Life of Mentorship

Jesus’ Yoke — Christianity as a Life of Mentorship
Throughout the last two thousand years, there is one symbol that
has been central to Christian art, theology, jewelry, architecture,
banners and even tattoos: the cross. Images and statues throughout
Christendom highlight Jesus’ cross. Countless sermons and books
speak about the importance of the cross. Churches and ministries
regularly have “cross” in their name. And until recent times, most
churches were built in the shape of a cross with the altar at the center
point.
This cross-centeredness is understandable. Jesus willingly died a
sacrificial death on a cross (Matt. 26:33–50). Jesus spoke regularly
of the necessity of his disciples to take up their own crosses and
follow him (Matt. 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 14:27). The
Apostle Paul frequently spoke about the Christian life as embracing
the cross of Christ, including its pain and shame (1 Cor. 1:17–28;
Gal. 6:14; Col. 1:19–23).
Yet there is another important symbol that Jesus uses that has not
played as central a role in Christian thinking as the cross, but I think
it should: the yoke. A close study of the Gospel of Matthew shows
that even though it is only found in one text, the yoke is central to
the theology and purpose of Matthew’s Gospel and to all of Jesus’
ministry. In Matthew 11:28–30, after boldly claiming his unique
role as the revealer of God (11:25–27),
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Jesus invites people to take his yoke upon their lives. Come to me,
all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and
my burden is light. (Matt. 11:28–30)
The yoke and the cross are both made of wood, but the yoke is an
agricultural image rather than a symbol of execution. The yoke
pictures a farmer patiently guiding an animal down a long field row,
giving the ox or cow direction as it plows the earth and prepares the
ground for planting.
What Jesus means by His invitation to take his yoke upon our necks
is immediately explained — it means to “learn from me” (11:29).
The word translated “learn” here is the word for “become a
disciple,” that is, a person who becomes the student of a master
teacher, who learns from an expert’s words and example. While the
cross speaks of self-sacrifice, the yoke speaks about discipleship, or
mentorship. This is Christianity: Jesus’ invitation to learn from Him
is the way to find true shalom (peace), the flourishing life we were
made for and long for. Jesus is saying that this true rest will only be
found in taking his yoke upon our lives, becoming disciples of him,
submitting to him as our true mentor.
By Jonathan T. Pennington a Contributor at the Mentoring
project.