Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV) Come to Me, all you who labour 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.”
As Christians, we have declared that Jesus is our Lord, not just our Saviour. Therefore, we should learn to relate to God in every aspect of our lives, and walk in His will by surrendering ourselves to Him.
Many of us do not realise that being yoked with the world, or walking through life without God, brings a heavy burden and sorrow. In contrast, when we are yoked with Jesus, we choose to enter a “yoked relationship” in which we allow Him to be the stronger partner in the calling of our lives. Just as a physical yoke connects two animals as they work together, this spiritual yoke makes it possible for us not to face life’s challenges alone, but with Jesus. It is a partnership with the Holy Spirit, who helps, guides, and provides the strength and resources needed to carry out His will.
A primary characteristic of being yoked with Jesus is the absence of friction between our will and God’s will. Being yoked with Jesus gives rest to our souls. When your will is in perfect accord with His, it brings a profound sense of rest, contentment, and perfect peace.
Jesus is the strongest partner we can possibly find in every aspect of our lives. Therefore, our burden is easy when we are yoked with Him, making the work we do, or our business, a form of worship. While the world places heavy burdens on us, Jesus’ yoke is “easy” and His burden is “light”. Life becomes much easier and simpler when we are yoked with God, as He actively helps us carry the load.
The moment we are yoked with Christ, we walk in His will as we fully surrender to His plan and purpose for our lives. His mighty love will hold us close and bless us. There is an ease and grace in living out God’s will in our lives. The burden of carrying out His will will be light because His grace will be sufficient for us in our weaknesses.
John 15:7 (NKJV) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
When we are yoked with Christ, live out His will for us, and have our lives rooted in His Word, it will be easier to live by faith in Him. Living a lifestyle of faith means a surrendered life, being yoked with Christ, and rooted in His Word, all of which are inseparable. Our responsibility is to obey, abide in, and stay connected to Him, whereas God’s responsibility is to provide.
Reflection: Are you tired because you are torn between being yoked with Jesus and the world? What burdens do you need God to help you carry right now?
Sermon Series： Surrendering Your Will to God
与耶稣同负一轭
马太福音 11:28-30 “凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式；这样，你们心里就必得享安息。因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的。”
作为基督徒，我们已经宣告耶稣不仅是我们的救主，也是我们的主。因此，我们应当学习在生命的每一个层面与神建立关系，并藉着将自己交托给祂，行在祂的旨意中。
许多人没有意识到，与世界同负一轭，或在没有神的情况下走人生道路，会带来沉重的负担和忧伤。相反，当我们与耶稣同负一轭时，我们选择进入一种“同负一轭的关系”，在其中，我们允许祂成为带领我们生命呼召中更强的一方。就像现实中的轭将两只动物连接在一起，使它们一同劳作一样，这属灵的轭使我们不必独自面对人生的挑战，而是与耶稣同行。这是一种与圣灵的伙伴关系，祂帮助、引导我们，并供应我们完成祂旨意所需要的力量和资源。
与耶稣同负一轭的一个主要特征，就是我们的意愿与神的旨意之间不再有冲突。当我们与耶稣同负一轭时，我们的灵魂便得着安息。当你的意愿与祂的旨意完全一致时，就会带来深深的安息、满足和完全的平安。
耶稣是我们在人生各个层面中所能找到最强大的伙伴。因此，当我们与祂同负一轭时，我们的担子就变得轻省，使我们所做的工作，或我们的事业，都成为一种敬拜。世界把沉重的担子加在我们身上，但耶稣的轭是“容易的”，祂的担子是“轻省的”。当我们与神同负一轭时，生命会变得更加简单和容易，因为祂主动帮助我们承担重担。
当我们与基督同负一轭的那一刻，我们便因完全降服于祂为我们所预备的计划和目的，而行在祂的旨意中。祂大能的爱会托住我们，与我们亲近，并赐福于我们。活出神的旨意有一种从祂而来的轻省与恩典。承担祂旨意的负担之所以轻省，是因为祂的恩典在我们的软弱中够我们用。
约翰福音 15:7 “你们若常在我里面，我的话也常在你们里面，凡你们所愿意的，祈求，就给你们成就。”
当我们与基督同负一轭，活出祂为我们预备的旨意，并让我们的生命扎根于祂的话语中时，我们会更容易凭信心倚靠祂而生活。活出信心的生命意味着一个降服的生命——与基督同负一轭，并扎根于祂的话语中，而这三者是不可分割的。我们的责任是顺服祂、住在祂里面，并持续与祂保持连接；而神的责任是供应我们一切所需。
默想：你是否因为在与耶稣同负一轭和与世界同负一轭之间挣扎，而感到疲惫？此刻有哪些重担需要神帮助你承担？
讲章系列：交托主权，全然顺服