The Yoke

The Jews refer to the covenant of the Law as taking the yoke of the Commandments upon them. They count 613 Commandments in the Law. Their acceptance of the yoke of the Commandments is an acceptance of fulfilling these Commandments.

The yoke of the Law comes with a curse:

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Acts 15:10).

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

When a Jew repents of his sins, and is baptized in Jesus name, he is no longer bound to the Law. (Galatians 5:1). He receives the gift of the Holy Ghost to serve God in newness of Spirit. This is the yoke of Jesus. (Romans 7:1-6).

Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

All the ordinances of the Law that were against us were nailed to the cross of Jesus.

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Jesus said,

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

We yoke ourselves together with Jesus when we repent of our sins, turning our back on the world, and are baptized in Jesus name. When we yoke ourselves together with Jesus, He gives us the promise of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. In the Holy Ghost, we find rest for our souls.

Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.