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 bow 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 Jer. 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,
“It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.” Lam. 3:2727It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. (Lamentations 3:27). To those of His children who are young in years He says,
What a beautiful example of subjection we see in the blessed Lord, who was devoted to do the will of His Father! He said,
How subject, too, He was, as a child to His earthly parents, is shown in Luke 2:41-5241Now 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).
Such a life of constant and perfect obedience and dependence upon His Father makes the Lord’s words in the following passage more precious and authoritative:
“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.
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.