In Mark 8:36-38, we see how Jesus contrasts the value of the world and the value of the soul, and how He warns those who are ashamed of Him and His words, and implies the reward for those who are not ashamed of Him and His words.
Verse 36 says, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Verse 37 says, “Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” These are two rhetorical questions that imply that gaining the whole world is worthless if one forfeits one’s soul, and that nothing can be given in exchange for one’s soul.
The world is the system, the culture, the mindset, that is opposed to God, that is influenced by Satan, that is corrupted by sin. The world offers us many things, many pleasures, many treasures, many honors, many powers. The world tempts us to pursue these things, to enjoy these things, to worship these things. The world promises us happiness, satisfaction, fulfillment, security. The world tells us that these things are valuable, important, essential, ultimate.
But Jesus tells us that these things are not valuable, not important, not essential, not ultimate. At least, not to the extent we think they are. He tells us that these things are temporary, fleeting, fading, perishing. He tells us that these things can be deceptive, dangerous, destructive, deadly. He tells us that these things are not worth gaining, not worth keeping, not worth living for, not worth dying for. He tells us that these things are not worth losing our soul for.
The soul is the essence, the core, the center, of who we are. The soul is made in God’s image, reflects God’s glory, connects with God’s spirit. The soul is eternal, immortal, indestructible. The soul is precious, priceless, invaluable, irreplaceable. The soul is worth saving, worth keeping.
Jesus tells us that the soul is more valuable than the world, more valuable than anything in the world, more valuable than everything in the world. He tells us that the soul matters, the thing that lasts. He tells us that gaining or maintaining the soul is the reward of discipleship, the reward of following Him, the reward of losing our life for Him and for the gospel.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your precious words that teach us the value of our soul and the vanity of the world. Help us to follow You faithfully, to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to lose our life for You and for the gospel. Help us to not be ashamed of You and Your words, but to confess You before others, to share Your love and truth, to glorify Your name. Help us to not be deceived by the world, by its temptations, by its promises, by its values. Help us to not love the world or the things in the world, but to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help us to not forfeit our soul for anything in the world, but to gain or maintain our soul by Your grace and power. You are more precious than anything, more worthy than everything, more beautiful than anyone. You are our treasure, our reward, our joy, our life. Amen.
Recent Comments