Pillory or Yoke

Matthew 11:28-30

     Does anyone know the difference between a pillory and a yoke?  I used to get them confused, they seemed similar. But whereas a pillory is a means of constrictive punishment, the yoke oddly enough is basically the opposite.

     A yoke is a metaphor for so many things in life. When you want to accomplish something, when you have a big load to carry or a large task at hand, a little help goes a long way towards easing that burden.  Two people carrying a refrigerator is much easier than one. More importantly, when we share our sorrow, the sorrow is shared and lessened. When we share our joys the joy is increased exponentially. No matter how simple or complex, how devastating or hopeless a situation seems, sharing that burden with Christ lightens the load. Not only that, but the yoke allows Jesus to guide us in the right direction.

       You might read this and think, praying is not going to solve all my practical problems.
That seems almost narrow minded and defeatist in my mind. If we think the yoke is prayer alone, yes it is. However, if we realize the the yoke of Jesus, that guiding, loving helper is within all of us, then we open whole new doors and avenues of love. If I have cancer I would certainly pray, perhaps even double down on my prayers. But I would also seek professional help, doctors, oncologists etc. They too can be God's guiding, loving yoke, making our burdens lighter.

     I hope we can see how wearing the yoke of Jesus, who makes our burden light, can be as easy as our helping hands, a listening ear, a therapist or physician. Just as we are are the hands of Christ today, we can also be that guiding and loving yoke which we should willingly accept.