Mark 8:34 – 38
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
You may have heard this quote before; “He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” It’s my personal favourite.
Jim Elliot wrote this in his diary some 70 years ago now. He, along with a team of missionaries, worked to contact a tribe deep in the Ecuadorian jungle, to share about the hope of Jesus with them. It was hard, and dangerous, work over many years. On the morning of Jan 8, 1956, Jim, along with 5 other missionary mates, were martyred by the tribe they were establishing contact with. Jim gave up his life, which he recognised he had no power to keep for himself, to gain the joy and wonder of heaven forever with Jesus, the Son of Man, the Son of God.
Try as we might, we cannot guarantee ourselves a long or good life. Why cling to that at all costs when instead we can cling to the sure-thing of heaven with Jesus? Its quite the investment, with exceptional returns.
Prayer: Dear Jesus our Saviour, thank-you for urging and warning us, for encouraging us and equipping us, to get to heaven by entrusting our lives to you. Please make us more like you every day, as we put away sin and selfishness, and instead fix our eyes on heaven and follow you. In your name, Amen.
Danae Woodward, Creek Rd Campus
