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“Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have.” --Billy Graham 

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In the free world, Billy Graham's quote is often taken lightly, but not for the 76 countries of the world with high rates of Christians persecuted for their faith. (opendoors.org) For these believers, Christianity is a commitment that might cost them their earthly life.  Despite the threats, they have chosen their calling in life; they have chosen to be "yoked" to their Savior. 

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The word "yoked" has lost its meaning. If you had been raised on a farm in the 1800's, you might have said, "I need to yoke up Old Nellie, to plow the north forty acres; so, the horse won't be able to take the wagon to the general store." Old Nellie wasn't asked, nor did she volunteer. She just fulfilled her duty. 

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In Biblical times, the word “yoke” was a common expression, indicating that an individual submitted to an obligation or occupation. For example, soldiers took on the yoke of following their leaders. The same was said about Rabbinic leaders who took on the yoke of following the law. The word “yoke” was also used for choosing to follow an obligation such as caring for an aging parent. Taking on a yoke was a free choice that one deliberately made.  

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Another use of the word “yoke” was to voluntarily choose to become the disciple of a teacher. For those who chose to yoke themselves to Jesus, life was far from easy. “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay His head.” (Luke 9:55). Jesus sought those that counted the cost of discipleship and still chose Him.   

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When a new horse is yoked to an experienced animal for the first time, the inexperienced fights for control. Plowing the field is a challenge. But when the inexperienced relaxes and two start working together, much is accomplished. So, it is when our Christian walk. Join the Savior and His lead. Then watch it get accomplished. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. 

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From Jesus's believers, He “Appointed seventy and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He himself was about to go.” (Luke 10:1). These seventy would herald, or announce, His upcoming trip through their region as they traveled to Jerusalem.  

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This was the second time Jesus sent His followers out as His representatives. The first mission involved only the twelve, symbolizing His ministry to Israel. But number seventy carried a special meaning. Jewish scribes taught that the world contained seventy Gentile nations. By sending out seventy disciples, Jesus showed that His message was not limited to Israel alone. His ministry was for all people—Jew and Gentile alike. The seventy that were sent ahead of Jesus returned and reported, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use Your name.” (Luke 10:17).   

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Not everyone, though, was ready to be yoked to Him. "Out of the crowd a lawyer, out to test Jesus, stood. 'Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'”  Luke 10:25). For Jewish adherents, the words of the famous teacher, Hillel, were often quoted, “What is hateful to thee, that do not to another. This is the whole law; the rest is only an explanation.” (Edersheim). 

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"Jesus asked him, 'What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?' So, he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:26-27). Jesus responded, “Do this and you will live.” (Luke 10:28). 

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 For the strict Israelite, the term, neighbor, only applied to Israelites, not gentiles. Part of the Jewish teaching was that “Idolators are not to be delivered even when in imminent danger. (Edersheim). Was only a Jewish believer a neighbor? 

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“Then Jesus answered and said: ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came, and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So, he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him down on his own animal, brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’” (Luke 10:30-35). 

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For all believers, the choice is clear: take on the yoke of Jesus, follow where He leads, and carry His message into a broken world. True discipleship is more than words; it is a life marked by obedience, compassion, and love for every person, regardless of background, status, or circumstance. Just as the Samaritan saw a wounded man not as an outsider but as someone worthy of mercy, so must we see others through the eyes of Christ. When we choose to love as Jesus loved, we become lights in a dark world, reflecting God’s compassion and pointing others to Him.