For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:25 NABRE
Jesus is serious about disciples sacrificing for others. Jesus’ own example is to do everything for others and He asks us to do the same. Jesus knows the path He is mapping out for followers is not an easy path, it will come with suffering, sacrifice and in some cases death. Followers must demonstrate that we take care of one another doing for others first as our leader Jesus has done. When we read that saving our life we lose it and losing our life we save it, Jesus doesn’t necessary mean all must die (though for some this is necessary) but we should die to our own selfishness, our own desires to be first, our own need for power and recognition, in other words we should not look for our own gratification but should look to serve others and lift them up. When we give our life, give our money, our helping hand, our clothing, a room to help another, a ride in our car, a lunch or more, we are losing our life for others. When we do these things we are demonstrating that we are a follower of Jesus and want to live as Jesus asks us to live. For Jesus, when we give our life for others now, He tells us in fact we will be living our life all the more now and forever.
One time I had purchased myself a meal and was on my way home to eat it. On the way home I crossed the path of someone hungry, digging into my pockets I had no money to give. I asked if he would eat what I purchased and of course it was his favorite food. I gave him what I was looking forward to as a meal and though in the moment I felt loss, I remember that meal more than any meal I ever consumed. It is a very small example but a source of life for me.
Do you die to self for others? Do you give what you yourself want?
When we give our life, give our money, our helping hand, our clothing, a room to help another, a ride in our car, a lunch or more, we are losing our life for others. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #life #give #Matthew #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways