September 6, 2010  |  Mark 8:35

Read - "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."

Examine - Jesus is telling His 12 disciples about His coming death and resurrection as well as the cost of being one of His followers. It is a great paradox: to live as Jesus calls us to live requires us to die to ourselves. To live, we must die. Jesus is about to turn His focus on heading to Jerusalem to go to the cross. He is beginning to let His disciples know as clearly as He is able that He has come to sacrifice His life and that to follow Him means to do the same thing.

Apply - Sacrifice - to surrender or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to for the sake of something else. (www.dictionary.com) When I think about the paradox of this verse, to live is to die. I am really challenged by the whole of concept of sacrifice. This verse is very specific that we are lose our lives for Jesus AND the gospel. What sacrifices are being made in my life for Christ and the gospel. What is being put on the line? If I'm honest, I am living a "safe" life. I don't feel that I've arrived at a place of full surrender to the gospel. If I had, I would imagine that my life would look differently than right now. I am so thankful for the progress that God has made in me but I read a verse like this and I am reminded of much further He wants to grow me. There are people right now on my heart and mind that I have relationships with that need Jesus and it is time for me to sacrifice time, energy and resources to seek them out. I'm not afraid of the gospel and I know how to share the gospel but it will cost me to make some sacrifices in order to better reach these people in my life.

Pray - Lord, thank you for rescuing me from my sin. Thank you that you have place people in my life who need You. May You lead me into opportunities to make sacrifices, small or large, to live for Christ and the gospel. I know this is the mission that you've given me and I pray for the courage to trust in You and to have a right perspective about why I'm here where You've placed/called me. May the people in my life that need You find You through Your Son, Jesus Christ and may You use me to whatever end to help them meet Jesus. It's in His Name I pray. Amen.