Two oxen bound by the beck and tied together under a wooden bar. Wherever one moves, the other one must follow. They share the burden and carry the loads together. There is no escape for the strapped animals – they will stay together, no matter what, unless their master sets them free… or one of them breaks lose, somehow.

I stared at the picture my pastor put on the screen yesterday morning, taking in the depth of the imagery. As illustration to his sermon “A Personal Invitation” based on Matthew 11:28-30, he used the picture of an oxen’s yoke to remind us of Jesus’ invitation to share the believer’s burdens: If we have Jesus and stay close to Him, He promises to help carry our every burden, just as oxen help each another.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

It was a wonderful message on the hope and promise we have in Christ: Even though we may walk through dark valleys, we are never alone to bear life’s heavy burdens.

During my prayer time this morning, however, the Holy Spirit revealed another facet of this imagery.

I was praying specifically for some women I know, who have asked prayers for their children. These mothers are suffering as their children struggle with various issues.  Prodigal sons and daughters who seem to have broken lose from the yoke they share with Christ… and are now bearing heavy burdens on their own.

While praying for these friends, an overwhelming feeling of sadness grabbed my heart. It’s as if, as a mother, I could feel these sweet ladies’ burdens. As I prayed and cried out to the Lord, a bible verse popped in my head, together with the picture of the yoke I saw yesterday at church. I finished praying, and looked up the verse, hidden in the book of Isaiah:

“Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6 – NASB

When Isaiah penned these words, he was admonishing Israel about the motives behind their worship and service. Israel was missing the point of a vital, living relationship with Yahweh. True worship must be more than religious rituals such as going to the temple, fasting and serving at church. He does not want us acting righteous, while we harbor wickedness in our lives or unforgiveness in our hearts. Isaiah uses the imagery of oxen bound by a yoke when he talks about the unrighteousness in Israel’s heart, as well as the oppression that kept people enslaved to their sin.

Upon further study, I found the same imagery in several other passages of Scriptures:

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. Leviticus 26:13

And in the New Testament:

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

And so, It dawned on me.

“Wait a second.” I thought, “there is no way that two oxen are put together under a piece of wood, a strap around their neck, and magically start walking in the same direction without resistance. There must be a method to the madness.”

And so, I googled it, of course.

On top of the page, in bold letter, the explanation I sought:

Teaching oxen to wear the yoke

Two days before beginning the training, tie the oxen for a few hours to a tree. The animals will get used to being tied, and will be quieter.

(…)

To get young oxen used to the yoke, you can put the ox which is to be trained along with an ox already trained. 

Binding together – It Takes Time

The article explaining how to train an ox is designed for new farmers, but it is filled with insight on why the Lord used the imagery of a yoke to talk both about slavery, as well as the bond formed between us and Christ, as we draw close to Him.

Learning how to bring Christ our burdens and allowing Him to help us carry them is not something that happens overnight. It’s a day-by-day exercise. It only happens as we train to spend time with the Master. Only as we allow ourselves to be trained “alongside” Him who has been trained in all things, are we able to follow His every direction, and not rebel against His leading. We learn to trust Him.

But let us not deceive ourselves. There are many people, including Christians, who are bound under the wrong yoke. They are slaves, and don’t even know it. The leading “strong ox” under that yoke… is satan.

There are many people, including Christians, who are bound under the wrong yoke. They are slaves, and don’t even know it. The leading “strong ox” under that yoke… is satan.
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They may be under the yoke of addiction… or depression… or under sexual six. The strong ox is leading the way to all the wrong roads, keeping them bound, lost and defenseless.

But the good news for us today, my friend, is that Yahweh, the God of Covenant, is also a Yoke Breaker.

The One who broke the yoke of slavery that held His people for 400 years in Egypt, is strong enough to break every chain. But we must invite Him into the process… and agree to lay down whatever is keeping us bound.

The One who broke the yoke of slavery that held His people for 400 years in Egypt, is strong enough to break every chain.
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As I closed my prayer time for my friends, the words kept pouring out of my lips, repeatedly:

“Break the Yoke, Father. Break the Yoke, Lord. In the mighty Name of Jesus, break every yoke.”

If your child has gone astray… and seems to be bound under the wrong yoke, I challenge you to boldly cry out of the Master, begging Him to break it… knowing that He is faithful to hear your prayers, and set them free.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph 6:12
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Passage: Luke 15:10-24

Key Verses: “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Vs. 22-24

The Atlanta airport is a place of mixed feelings to me. It’s there that I hug my family when they land from Brazil, as my heart pounds uncontrollably with excitement and joy. It’s there that I cry when hugging them good bye, knowing that I won’t see them for a year or two. It’s there that my nerves scream during take offs, every time I have to hop on a plane to go out of town.

Indeed, I know the busiest airport in the world as the back of my hand. This past weekend, however, as I returned from a speaking event out of state, something called my attention for the first time.

Since the terrorist attacks of 2001, before getting to the baggage claim terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson, one must take the one-way escalator up to the area where families greet each other and car service drivers wait for their passengers. As Terri and I got on that last escalator this past Sunday, I noticed the huge sign hanging above everyone’s heads:

“Exit Only – No re-entry.”

I’ve seen the sign many times before. But this time it called my attention in a different way.

The weekend was a wonderful time of sharing God’s Word and making new friends as I spoke at a women’s conference in Central New York. I watched as women’s hearts were touched by the messages God gave me. Many came to the altar and surrendered burdens, strongholds and fears.

I was thinking about the weekend and God’s infinite grace and mercy when I spotted that sign above the escalator.

Yahweh is a God of second, even one thousandth chances. And yet, so many people hold on to their sin and brokenness all the way to the “point of no return”… their deathbeds.

We all take the wrong turn in life at some point in time. Whether deliberately making wrong decisions or taking the wrong turn out of ignorance, we have all “been there and done that”. The beauty of salvation starts with the fact that our loving God is very aware of our limitations as weak and sinful creatures: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Even as Christians, our frailties will never catch Him by surprise.

But as I think of the hearts that have been changed this past weekend, I can’t help but think of other people I know who deliberately choose to hold on to their sin or brokenness, defying God’s grace as if it would never run out for them.

“Wait a minute,” you may say. “But God’s grace is indeed infinite.”

Yes, it is. His grace is infinite, matchless and eternal.

But our days on this earth are not.

If you are not a believer, you may have heard about salvation through faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ one hundred times. You may be sick of these “believers” who claim that He is the Truth, the only Way and the Life. You may cringe at “Jesus freaks” like me who pound the internet and airwaves with the gospel of salvation.

Or you may believe in Jesus but not believe Jesus. I say that because it wasn’t a Jesus follower who said He is the only way. Those words are in red in my Bible. These are His words.

Unfortunately for those who don’t believe, running from the Truth doesn’t change the truth. They will one day find themselves riding that escalator, as they cross the point of “Exit only – No re-entry”.

Our loved ones’ chance of salvation dies with them.

I wish it was different, I do. I have already lost loved ones who died without Christ. I wish I could “pray them into Heaven”.

But I can’t.

They took the one-way escalator to judgment.

And it breaks my heart.

But something else makes me grieve…

It’s those people who know Jesus… who have lived for Him and served Him at some point in life. And then something happened and they chose the wrong turn.

I’ve seen God give them chance after chance to repent. And yet, they stubbornly hold on to their pride… their ways… their sin.

They cling to the temporal, forfeiting the eternal.

I’ll see them in Heaven, I’m sure.

But the treasure of heavenly prize… that commendation from our Lord and Savior as He says “well done, good and faithful servant”… they choose to forfeit.

Their lives are as empty as the lives of those who reject grace altogether…

It’s Not Over… You’re Still  Breathing.

Thankfully, God’s grace is offered at every turn of the road. God can fix any wrong, mend any broken life. Unlike the airport sign, as long as there’s life, there’s a way back to the Father’s house.

But the choice will always be ours. As the Father of the prodigal son, God patiently waits on His rebellious children to return home. And He will rejoice when they do.

And if you think you have missed God’s best, remember the end of the parable: God has a new best for you.

All you need to do is open your feeble, even dirty hands… and let His grace wash them clean.

Lay your burden at His feet… and watch it as He picks it up and replaces it with one more chance. Once more… He offers to lavish you with grace.

While there’s life, there’s hope… don’t wait until you spot the “Exit only – No re-entry” sign.

Today is the day… Choose grace. Choose Truth.

Choose Life.

Verses to Ponder:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

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