Losing Your Life
In Mark 8:35 (ESV), Jesus says, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” Jesus would say this phrase in every gospel, and in some of the gospels, he would say it multiple times. This is an important verse to consider.
When we cling to our life, we hold tightly onto the things that serve us. Like I said in yesterday’s prompt, our self-exaltation is often at the expense of others. Jesus reminds us here that this same mentality leads us down a path of destruction. Instead, he invites us to lay down our lives for his sake and the same of the gospel message. When we do this, we are saved.
Today I want us to consider how Jesus's invitation (or command) is a wild and outrageous thing to say. Many leaders throughout history have called upon their followers to take risks, but few have called upon and invited their subordinates to give up their life. Among the great generals of the ancient world who led troops into battle, there was always a call to personal glory. Giving your life meant sacrificing yourself to show your loyalty and courage.
Even if a charismatic leader could compel their soldiers to give everything for their cause, none could promise that this act of surrender would lead to salvation. None could say that losing their life would save it.
Jesus can make this invitation.
He asks for the highest level of surrender but promises the greatest measure of freedom. In Christ Jesus, surrender is freedom. When we surrender our lives to become servants of God's will and his gospel message, we loosen the cords of bondage that hold us tight. In one way or another, clinging to our lives is what gives the devil a foothold to bring temptation, accusation, and condemnation.
When we try to gratify the desires of our flesh, we open the door for the enemy to propose enticing but destructive alternatives. Following Jesus means surrendering our need to be self-satisfied and laying our lives down on the altar of trust. When Jesus promised that surrender would mean freedom, he said what only he could say, and he meant it.
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