In my sermon this past Sunday, I read from Mark 8:34-37. Here it is that passage in its entirety:
(34) Then, calling the crowed to join his disciples, he said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. (35) If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. (36) And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? (37) Is anything worth more than your soul?’ (NLT)
I realize the challenge that Jesus places before us in verses 34-35. He is, in a sense, laying down the gauntlet for us to decide yes or no. But it is the words in verses 36-37 that give me pause. If you track these verses deeper, you can find the really hard truth Jesus is saying. Following Him isn’t just as easy as saying, “I accept you Jesus as my Savior.” I want to lay before you a simplistic but truthful statement: God is not interested in us just making Jesus our Savior; He is also wanting us to make Him our Lord.” I realize that is not a popular notion these days. It is fashionable for people to say, “I’m a Christian.” It is not so fashionable to say, “I am a Christ-follower.” I’m sure you see the truth of that statement. People from all stripes can say the former; only those who have committed their lives can say the latter.
But it goes even deeper. Take a look at those two verses again. Analyze them. What are they saying? Here is what I see: If a person’s life is based on getting a pay check (no matter how substantial it might be) their life will be empty. But if their life has a purpose and they live for that purpose to be fulfilled, their life will be full. Jesus knew the emptiness of pursuing things that would not last or satisfy. He wanted us to see that reality also.
It all comes down to the question asked in verse 37: Is anything worth more than your soul?” I’d give an unquestionable “NO.” What say you?
Your words here, Bill, echo a daily devotion by PDT I read recently and you are spot on. We cannot hope for a full and satisfying life if we don’t fully lay ours down for Jesus’ sake and commit to taking up our cross. He is the source of abundant and fulfilling life, here and in the hereafter. Blessings and thanks for this inspirational reminder!
Thanks Martha. I probably read that devotion somewhere along the line. 🙂
To follow Jesus does require each of us to truly count the cost. However, I think you ask the right question… What is worth the amount of my soul? What is worth keeping me from an eternity in Hell? What is worth being able to gaze upon the eyes of my risen Lord and His our Father in Heaven and being received into Paradise at the end of this time on Earth… The cost? The cost was Jesus!
I can only bring my worship… And that worship is not in a song or a Sunday morning, that worship is in the life I live.
Oh yeah! This will preach, especially that last line. Thanks Ryan.
Well said, great point. Bill I think to often people allow their faith to be a bandwagon faith, once the band wagon cools so does their faith. Being a Christ follower is a deep personal journey with God, that constantly transforms who you are. You constantly want more of God, and less of the culture. You begin to see God’s words play out in life and how to apply those words to your life. It’s not just having your soul in God’s hands, you ask the question, now that God has my soul, how do I work for only God.
You make a good point also Gail. I do believe many have that bandwagon faith, i.e. “my family was/is so I am” mentality. A personal relationship means having your life in His hands.