A. Earley

“When we step onto the bridge, Nathan turns and spreads his arms out wide. ‘Welcome to Pont des Arts, a.k.a. The Lock Bridge.””

“Yokes” were commonplace in Jesus’ day. Oxen would be yoked together with a carefully crafted piece of wood in order to pull a load. Likewise, the term was adapted to apply to a disciple placing himself under the yoke of his rabbi’s instruction. In Jewish culture, the students of a rabbi had to memorize his words. Hence, Mishna, Aboth, ii, 8 reads: “A good pupil was like a plastered cistern that loses not a drop.” In the verses quoted above, Jesus said, “Take up My yoke and learn from Me.” The word translated “learn” there is basically the root word from which we get the word translated in the New Testament as “disciple.””

“We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Gal 5:26). “With patience, accepting one another in love” (Eph 4:2). “Be kind and compassionate to one another” (Eph 4:32a). “Forgiving one another” (Eph 4:32b). “Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Eph 5:19). “Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ” (Eph 5:21). “In humility consider others as more important than yourselves” (Phil 2:3). “Do not lie to one another” (Col 3:9). “Accepting one another” (Col 3:13). “Forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another” (Col 3:13).””