The Easy Yoke by Alexander McLaren

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jun 2, 1904

The Easy Yoke

By Alexander McLaren

IT is better to obey Christ’s commandments than to set ourselves against them; for if we will take his will for our law, and meekly assume the yoke of loyal and loving obedience to him, the door into an earthly paradise is thrown open to us. His yoke is easy, not because its prescription and provisions lower the standard of righteousness and morality, but because love becomes the motive; and it is always blessed to do that which the Beloved desires. When “I will” and “I ought” cover exactly the same ground, then there is no kind of pressure from the yoke. Christ’s yoke is easy, because, too, he gives the power to obey his commandments. His burden is such a burden (as I think one of the old fathers puts it) as sails are to a ship, or wings to a bird. They add to the weight, but they carry that which carries them. So Christ’s yoke bears the man that bears it. It is easy, too, because “in,” and not only after or for, “keeping of it there is great reward,” seeing that he commands nothing which is not congruous with the highest good, and bringing along with it the purest blessing. Instead of that yoke, what has the world to offer, or what do we get to dominate us, if we cast off Christ?—Self, the old anarch self, and that is misery. To be self-ruled is to be self-destroyed.—Dr. Alexander McLaren.