What is the symbol that people most often associate with Christianity? It's the cross, right?

It's on steeples atop churches, on hymnal covers, on lids for communion ware and lapel pins. The cross is a reminder of all Jesus suffered to save us. In addition, the cross is a symbol of Christian dedication. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

Another symbol of Christianity

But Jesus used another symbol to picture the commitment of a Christian. "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus wasn't referring to the yellow center of an egg. A yoke is a wooden harness used to tie two animals together to pull a load.

Doug Hapeman, a Christian pastor, described these two symbols of Christianity in this way, "The cross and the yoke symbolize for us the two different aspects of commitment. The cross is an instrument of death; the yoke is an implement of toil. The cross is the symbol of sacrifice; the yoke is the symbol of service. The cross suggests blood; the yoke suggests sweat . . . to be committed to Jesus Christ means that we are ready for either the yoke or the cross."

Consider some of the lessons we can learn about Christianity from a yoke:

Submission

When an owner of an animal puts a yoke on one of his beasts that animal is in submission. Its "wildness" been tamed. "Take my yoke upon you," Jesus said. A Christian's wild sinful nature is tamed by Christ. He or she willingly submits to Jesus Christ as master.

Obedience

"And learn from me."

When a farmer places a yoke on an animal he does so expecting the animal to obey his commands. Jesus said of those who take his yoke, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it" (Luke 11:28).

Service

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Compared to the burden of sin, Jesus' yoke is easy to bear. But the idea behind a yoke is of pulling a load, of work, of service. Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:44-45).

Fellowship

"All you who are weary and burdened" are invited to wear the yoke Christ offers.

We are not alone in Christ. We serve alongside those who share the faith. Paul wrote of his "loyal yokefellow" (Philippians 4:3). A yoke harnesses two animals so together they pull a load neither could pull alone. "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2).

OK. You might not be willing to trade in your cross-shaped earrings for a pair that looks like yokes. But a yoke is a wonderful symbol of your faith. So let us take up our yoke, as well as our cross, and follow Jesus.

Michael Otterstatter serves the Savior as pastor of Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Maineville, OH.