Mark 8:34-38
In 2018 we have
some of the most ignorant people when it comes to history and even important
things like the Constitution and the freedoms we have in the Bill of
Rights. So to many if you said I am a follower of Jesus, they might say
what team does he play for, or is he a new singer or movie star? And yet
they are brilliant when it comes to technology, where others in my age group
and I are very ignorant.
But when Jesus made
this statement; “If anyone would come after me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For
whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my
sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a
man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can
a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of
me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the
Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the
holy angels.”
In his first
sentence, Jesus is very clear to “come after me” meaning be a disciple or
follower, he must deny himself, now that is not what people who are so
fascinated with self-want to hear. And take up a cross, surely Jesus does
not mean the one my mother wears around her neck? You are so right, but
at the time Jesus made that statement the people listening understood the
custom of the Romans when they had a crucifixion the victim was made to carry
the cross beam to the site of their execution.
It would be rare to find someone who does
not want to save his or her life. Jesus is making it very clear that not
only the physical but also the soul, the real you can only be saved by losing
it for Jesus sake, and the gospel will save it. Ponder on these words
found in Psalm 49:7-9, “No one can redeem the life
of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom
for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— so that
they should live on forever and not see decay.”
I sure hope you have given more than casual
thought to these two questions Jesus is asking: For
what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
For what can a man give in return for his soul? Scripture
makes it so clear that sinful men and all have sinned and need a redeemer and
only Jesus Christ met God’s requirement, and today you need to give thought to
these questions.
But to us who say we are followers of
Christ, we must ask how am I doing in this adulterous and sinful generation?
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
No comments:
Post a Comment