For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it. Mark 8:35 WEB
These profound words of Jesus make clear the danger of following him during the time of his ministry. In addition, Jesus’ statement indicates the danger of sharing the Good News of salvation through belief in Christ. The early followers of Christ suffered persecution from both secular and religious authorities. But to deny Christ is also perilous. Those who deny Jesus will not receive eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.
Self preservation is a strong human instinct. When Jesus says, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,” he teaches a message with two possible meanings. When a time comes that a person has to lay down his life for the gospel message, he may follow the instinct of his flesh and deny Christ to save himself or he may give his life to save his eternal soul. Of course, those who deny Christ will die in their sin and experience the judgment of God.
Eternal Life in Heaven
When confronted with danger because of professed faith, a man may affirm Christ even when threatened with death for their belief. Those who persist in faith, sharing the Good News of Christ may suffer death in the flesh, but they will live eternally in heaven. As Christ said, “Whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.”
Christians participate in the suffering of Christ and experience persecution on some level. Some followers of Christ, like his first disciples, may even become martyrs, dying because of their faith. As we read in 2 Timothy 3:12, “ Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. WEB”
Jesus Overcame the World
Christ makes clear that those who follow him will also experience trouble in this world. The Lord says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world. WEB”
In spite of any difficulties we encounter, our faith in the resurrected Christ helps us to overcome the human instinct of preserving the flesh when it comes to sharing the Good News of Christ. Of course, no one wants to die, but our assurance of eternal life through faith in Christ helps us understand that ‘though we will one day die, we will not remain dead.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the promise of eternal life. Thank you for my salvation in Jesus Christ. Give me wisdom and strength to share the Good News of salvation. Help me to live according to your will. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Jesus Our Lord
