Do not put a yoke on the necks of the disciples!
[Acts 15:1-11]
The term “a yoke” refers to a wooden frame placed around the neck of animals to connect two cows or to harness animals for pulling carts, among other uses (Internet). In an abstract sense, it can also signify a heavy burden, and when used in the context of captive individuals, it symbolizes dependency and servitude. In the New Testament, it is often used metaphorically to represent a state oppressed by the law and sin. However, there are instances where it is used positively. For example, Jesus mentioned that His yoke is easy, and Paul referred to those who help others as fellow bearers of the yoke.
In today's passage from Acts 15:10, Peter is speaking, and he says, "Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?" Today, I want to reflect on this passage under the title "Do not put a yoke on the necks of the disciples!" and seek the lessons provided by exploring three points.
First, what is the “yoke”?
In simple terms, it is the burden of the law (Park). What does the burden of the law mean? The answer can be found in today's passage, Acts 15:1, 5: "But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved'" (v.1), "But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, 'It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses'" (v.5). The burden of the law refers not just to the law itself but to the customs and regulations imposed under the pretext of the law, such as circumcision (Yoo). One of these demanded customs or regulations was circumcision. Their argument was that salvation could only be obtained by adhering to the law of Moses. In other words, the burden of the law implies the claim that one must keep the law of Moses to obtain salvation. This claim is a misguided teaching that salvation is received through human actions. Trying to impose such a yoke on the disciples is a form of testing God (v.10). How does this constitute testing God? Clearly, salvation is received by God's grace, not by human deeds (works). If one argues that faith alone is insufficient for salvation and that circumcision or adherence to the law of Moses is necessary, it is testing the power of God's salvation despite knowing that salvation is not earned through human effort.
Charles Swindoll, in his book "The Grace Awakening," made the following statement: ‘The one I consider the most dangerous heresy on earth is the emphasis on what we do for God, instead of what God does for us.’ Often, in our journey of faith, we focus more on what we should do for God and for the body of Christ, rather than reflecting on what God has done and is currently doing for us. This shift in focus leads us away from dwelling in God's grace and into legalistic 'faith,' where our concern becomes more about our own glory than giving glory to God.
Second, who attempted to put a yoke on the disciples' necks?
It was the legalists. In today's passage, Acts 15:1, 5, the Bible mentions "Some men" and "some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees." Who are these "some men"? They are Jewish believers from the Pharisee tradition who had already accepted Jesus as their Savior (Yoo). These Pharisee Jewish believers, zealous for the law of Moses, traveled about 500 kilometers from Judea to Antioch, claiming that Gentile believers must be circumcised according to Moses' customs to be saved. This is an absurd claim that ignores the miraculous salvation story God revealed to the Gentiles, as seen in Acts 10-14. For example, when God, through Peter, first saved Gentiles, including Cornelius and his family and friends in Acts 10, there was no mention of receiving salvation through circumcision; they were saved simply by hearing and believing the gospel. Acts 11 further emphasizes that the Gentile church in Antioch did not have circumcision imposed as a condition for salvation. However, the Jewish believers from the Pharisee tradition, who had received Jesus as their Savior, insisted that Gentile brothers and sisters could not be saved unless they were circumcised (v.1). Why did they insist on circumcision? The reason was their belief that being circumcised was the only way to be part of God's people, the true Jews (Yoo). In other words, these Pharisee Jewish believers mistakenly thought that even after accepting Jesus as their Savior, they still needed to receive circumcision to become God's people. Circumcision cannot be a definitive criterion for determining one's status as God's people. Only faith in accepting Jesus as one's Savior is the criterion that decisively confirms one's status as God's people. Therefore, Jewish believers who accepted Jesus could still receive circumcision according to the tradition handed down from Abraham, and they could also administer circumcision to their children. However, it was never the means by which salvation was obtained.
In Matthew 15, when the Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus and said, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat" (v. 2), Jesus responded to them as follows: "... Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" (v. 3). The commandment of God is to "Honor your father and mother" (v. 4), but the Pharisees and scribes did not honor their parents by saying, "What you would have gained from me is given to God" (v. 5). Jesus rebuked them, saying, "So for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God" (v. 6), quoting Isaiah 29:13: "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Mt. 15:8).
We must be cautious about legalistic approaches to our faith. It is crucial not to violate God's commandments in favor of religious traditions or customs. We should not nullify God's word through our traditions.
Third, what is the faith of the disciples?
It is solely to believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will (Acts 15:11). The faith of Jesus' disciples is centered on believing that they are saved solely through the grace of the Lord Jesus. They do not think they were saved through circumcision or human merit and efforts. Due to the Pharisee Jewish believers who had accepted Jesus, there was considerable debate and dispute in the Antioch church. Because of the significant disagreement between Paul, Barnabas, and the Pharisee Jewish believers (verse 2), the church in Antioch decided to send Paul, Barnabas, and others to Jerusalem to seek a final decision from the apostles and elders (verse 2). While on their way to Jerusalem, they reported in detail to the believers in Phoenicia and Samaria about the conversion of the Gentiles granted by God (verse 3). The reactions of the believers in these two regions were greatly rejoiced (verse 3). Upon their arrival in Jerusalem, Paul, Barnabas, and their companions were welcomed by the apostles and elders, and they reported all that God had done through them (verse 4). At that time, Pharisee Jewish believers also presented their case: "It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses" (verse 5). After much debate, Peter stood up and delivered a concluding sermon (verses 7-11).
In Peter's sermon, we can find a couple of aspects of the true faith of Jesus' disciples:
- True disciples are those who believe in Jesus solely through God's grace and have received the Holy Spirit.
Look at Acts 15:8 - "And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us." This statement affirms that God, who looks at the heart rather than outward appearances, poured out the Holy Spirit on both Jews and Gentiles, confirming that salvation is obtained through faith in Christ alone (Park).
- The faith of true disciples involves receiving a pure heart through God's work of purification by faith.
Look at Acts 15:9 - "And he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith." The faith of true disciples, who have received a pure heart through faith, involves living a sanctified life in the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit's sanctification.
True disciples of Jesus never bear the yoke of legalism. So, what yoke do true disciples bear? It is the yoke of Jesus. Look at Matthew 11:29-30: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
What is "spirituality"? Many people seem to perceive spirituality as something supernatural or the performance of extraordinary abilities. However, spirituality does not refer to something supernatural but rather to moral or ethical qualities. Spirituality means conforming to the personality, life, and thinking of Jesus Christ. In other words, spirituality refers to having spiritual qualities or a spiritual disposition. Therefore, saying that spirituality is excellent means that spiritual qualities are excellent. Jesus promised to call those who labor and are heavy-laden and provide them with rest. He says that taking His yoke and learning from Him is the way to find rest for our souls. To reach the point of finding rest while bearing the yoke is what true spirituality is about. A state where one is crushed by the weight of the yoke and cannot even gather their thoughts cannot be called spirituality. Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden is light (v. 30). Although the weight of the cross is by no means light, because it is borne out of love for Jesus and is willingly carried for His sake, it can be perceived as light. This power, where even the weight of the cross can be felt lightly because of love for Jesus, is the foundation of spirituality. Pursuing spirituality in the midst of pain and suffering, finding rest in Jesus, and seeking spirituality that emulates His gentleness and humility in that context - this is the kind of spirituality I desire.
Longing for the grace of the Lord, who lightens the burden of my yoke and makes my heart light even while bearing it,
James Kim
(Pursuing spirituality that finds rest in Jesus even while bearing the yoke)