“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” – Mark 8:35-36 (NKJV)In a world obsessed with success, wealth, and self-fulfilment, we often ask the question of ‘worth’. We are bombarded with messages that tell us to chase after material gain, personal happiness, and influence. But Jesus turns our idea of ‘worth’ upside down. He challenges us to examine what we’re truly living for. Are we so focused on the temporary rewards of this world that we forget the eternal consequences?
Mark 8:35-36 invites us to consider what truly matters in life. Is it worth gaining the world, if in the end, we lose our souls? Jesus’ words in Mark 8:35 hit at the heart of the human condition: we instinctively seek to preserve our lives, control our destinies, and find security in the things of this world. However, He makes it clear that holding onto life in this way is a path that leads to loss.In contrast, Jesus calls us to lose our lives for His sake, and the Gospel’s. But what does that mean? It means surrendering control, ambitions, and earthly desires and entrusting them all to God.
This surrender is what leads to true life – the life that is found in a relationship with Jesus, a life rooted in eternal hope rather than temporary gain.The world promises many things: wealth, power, pleasure, and success. But the reality is, none of these things can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. Solomon, one of the wealthiest and wisest kings in history, wrote that all worldly pursuits are “vanity” and like “chasing the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14, NKJV).
Even with all his riches and accomplishments, he found them empty and meaningless apart from God.Jesus’ challenge to “lose your life for My sake” is a call to adopt an eternal perspective. Paul, emphasising this shift in perspective, instructed us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV).When we view life through this lens, our values shift. We begin to prioritise things that matter in the light of eternity – loving God, serving others, sharing the Gospel, and growing in Christlikeness.
Jesus doesn’t just ask us to lose our lives; He promises something far greater in return. When we lose our life for Christ’s sake, we will save it (Mark 8:35 ). This is the paradox of the Christian faith – what seems like loss is actually gain.So, is it worth it? Is it worth surrendering your life, ambitions, and desires to follow Jesus? Absolutely!The cost of following Christ may seem high, but the reward is infinitely greater. We gain not just a better life, but eternal life.
Choose the path that leads to life, not just for today, but for eternity. In the end, nothing is worth more than preserving your soul in Christ. Let your pursuit of Christ be the defining measure of your life, for that is where true worth lies.
Bible Reading Plan: Philippians 3-4