The yoke is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two draught animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull. A laborer would also lay a yoke across his shoulders to carry containers on both ends.

The yoke is a symbol of oppression, imposed by the victor on the vanquished. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon imposed his yoke on the neck of the defeated nations, including Judah (Jer 28:10-14). It can also be a symbol of submission, but not always with the implication of oppression.

It is used as a symbol of submission to God and to the obligations of the Law. In this sense, Sirach calls on men and women to bow their necks beneath the yoke of the Law in order that they may find rest when their labor is ended (51:26). Jesus speaks of his own yoke and invites us to be “yoked” to him. His yoke is “easy,” which really means “good.” When we are yoked to him, there is peace in our hearts because he is gentle and humble—not a proud conqueror who yokes people to submission. In fact, being meek and humble, he appears as one “conquered” and “humbled.”

Because he is himself among those who are “tired and burdened” in his suffering, he can inspire the disciples to follow his life of total openness to God and thus are able to attain true peace. Jesus does not remove the burden of following him, but he promises that those who follow him till the end will find perfect rest and happiness.

To whom can you liken me as an equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things: he leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know or have you not heard?

The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound.

Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”