PASSING along a country road some time ago, I saw a fine young bullock tightly tethered to a few feet of ground, and I could but observe how he struggled against the restraint that was put upon him. He plunged and kicked about; but all to no purpose, except to weary himself, as he could neither break the rope by which he was tied, nor extend the limits to which he was confined. His restlessness and unavailing efforts reminded me of what Ephraim, in his repentance, says of himself to the Lord, in Jeremiah 31, that he was “as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke.” None of us naturally like restraint, but we prefer to take our own way, and to do our own will, Is it not so, dear young reader? But God tells us, in Lamentations 3:27,27It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. (Lamentations 3:27) that “it is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.” He also says to those of His children who are young in years, “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord” (Col. 3:2020Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)). He likewise bids us all to submit ourselves “one to another, in the fear of God” (Eph. 5:2121Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:21)).
What a beautiful example of subjection we see in the blessed Lord, who was devoted to do the will of His Father He said, “Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God (Heb. 10). “I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within my heart” (Psa. 40). How sweetly He says also, in John 4:34,34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. (John 4:34) “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.” And as respects not only His devotedness in life, but also in His death, He said to His Father, “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do” (John 17). How subject, too, He was, as a child, to His earthly parents, as shown to us in Luke 2:41-52,41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:41‑52) to which, as the passage is rather long, I would advise the reader to turn, and carefully to peruse, even though he may think that he knows it already.
Listen, too, to that passage in Matthew 11, in which the Lord says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor 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.”
May all of us, then, who love the Lord Jesus Christ, seek grace, that we may bow to His holy and blessed will, and learn of Him, who is meek and lowly in heart. Thus we shall bring glory to God, by manifesting something of the spirit of Christ; we shall be happy ourselves, and, it may be, instrumental in leading others into the pleasant paths of obedience, for Christ’s sake.