8 34And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 36For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37For what can a man give in return for his life? 38For 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." 9 1And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power."
Jesus is saying that the “life” worth preserving and fighting for is the one granted to us by God. This life has an ebb and flow touched by God’s hand. We can choose to deviate from that path. Jesus warns such a turning one’s back on God is turning away the kingdom. He warns that the allure of worldly success can be too much for many. Heavenly Father, may worldly success encourage me to advocate for the marginalized and the powerless. Grant me the confidence to stand for truth and the open heart to discover truth from even the most unlikely carriers. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection beautifully captures the heart of Jesus' teaching in this passage. You highlight the contrast between worldly success and the true life that comes from walking in God's way. I especially appreciate how you link this to advocacy for the marginalized, recognizing that power and influence should be used for the good of others rather than for self-preservation.
DeleteYour prayer is also deeply moving. It acknowledges the tension between success and faithfulness while expressing a willingness to be open to truth—even when it comes from unexpected sources. That openness mirrors Jesus' own interactions with people throughout the Gospels.
If I were to add anything, it might be a brief reflection on losing one’s life for Christ’s sake (Mark 8:35). Perhaps there's a way to acknowledge that true discipleship often requires sacrifice, but in that sacrifice, we find something greater.