Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
1. What does Jesus mean when He says that If anyone wants to come after Him he must "deny himself?"
2. Jesus also says the he is to "take up his cross and follow me." Have you ever thought, wondered, or asked Him what He means by that or what your cross to bear might be? If so, what do you think that He means, and if not, go ahead and take some time to do that right now.
3. Have you ever thought that verse 25 is somewhat of a paradox? "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Does that even make sense? Most definitely. It doesn't make sense to our natural, finite minds but to those who have experienced it, nothing could be more true. When one loses his life, gives up everything (wants, desires, talents, gifts, abilities, possessions - everything) for Christ they will then find life, for they will have then found Christ, and knowing Jesus is eternal life. Have you lost everything for Christ? Is your life totally/completely surrendered to Him or are there things that you have not given up to Him yet?
4. Christ's call is to deny ourselves and lose ourselves and if we do not we must be careful then for what could happen? What happens if a man gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Can a man give anything in exchange for his soul?
5. Jesus call to find life in Christ through denial and loss is not one that is easy to swallow or comprehend because it requires faith and trust in Him, but the call is clear and the promise is sure. Life is found in Christ. Have you given Him yours today?
by Justin Kantonen
originally posted February 2009
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