For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? For what will a man give in exchange for his life? Mark 8:36-37 WEB
Chapter eight of Mark’s gospel begins with Jesus miraculously feeding a multitude of around four thousand people with seven loaves of bread and a few fish. After demonstrating his willingness and ability to provide for the needs of those in his care, Jesus and his disciples eventually travel across the sea to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
With this act and others, Jesus supernaturally demonstrates his spiritual nature. The major lesson of this chapter of Mark is the identity of Christ. In addition, Jesus stresses the importance of spiritual matters over material concerns. As Jesus indicates, it does not profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his eternal soul in the process.
Further into the chapter, Jesus questions his disciples as to who men say that he is. They respond that some say he is John the Baptist while others speculate that he is Elijah the prophet. Mark 8:29 records their next interaction saying, “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ.’ WEB”
Get Behind Me Satan
Jesus then began to reveal that he would suffer, die and after three days rise again. Concerned with worldly things rather than the will of God, Peter responds by rebuking the Lord. Jesus’ response to Peter is recorded in Mark 8:33 which reads, “Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men.”
These words make clear the misunderstanding of Jesus’ purpose even among his disciples. Peter knew that Jesus was the Christ. But, concerned with worldly comforts, Peter thought Christ had come to establish a new political order in that time. Not yet understanding his plan for our salvation, the disciples expected Jesus to establish his kingdom then and there.
Jesus’ purpose was to pay for our sins and make an eternal place for us in heaven. And so, he instructs his followers to reject the temporary comforts of the material world in favor of eternal peace in heaven. As Christ teaches, it does not benefit anyone to gain the whole world if he loses his eternal soul.
Not of This World
The Lord was not concerned with fighting for temporary material things. As he says to Pilot in John 18:36, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here. WEB”
If Christ had fought to gain the whole world like a power hungry conqueror, he would have played into Satan’s hands who tempted him with all the kingdoms of the world if only Jesus would bow down and worship him. But Jesus knew what we read in 1 John 2:17, “The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever. WEB”
As Christians, we do not worship or strive for material. Christ says in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. WEB” Even if we were to Gain the whole world, without following the will of God, we would lose in the end.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the truth of your holy word. Thank you for my salvation in Jesus Christ. Help me to resist the temptations of the flesh. Help me to live according to your will. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: In My Father’s House
