DEVOTION – DAY 588

Mark 8:36-37 “Follow Jesus”

Mark 8:36-37 “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

In the above passage from the gospel of Mark, Jesus called the crowd and His disciples and said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (v34) In doing so, Jesus is challenging us to stop making ourselves, our own goals the focus of our life’s actions and decisions. Instead, we are challenged to take up the cross – meaning we are willing to suffer for Him when we follow Him. 

Jesus reinforced the value of following Him no matter the cost because in the above verses, Jesus pointed out an important truth. All the things in this world that can possibly be achieved, or acquired by us in this life, are temporary in nature. We are all born empty handed into this world, and empty handed we will be, when it is time to leave this world when we die. What ultimately matters is where we go after we die – to heaven or to hell? Hell is the place where people go when they do not follow Jesus and instead choose things of this world. Hell is the place where people go when they lose their souls to the devil. Jesus reminds us that following Him is worth it because He leads us to eternal life in Heaven and that is where our souls will be when we leave this earth. 

During festive seasons like Chinese New Year, many people seem to seek things of this world. People look forward to a prosperous new year full of good health, wealth and blessings. To talk about death and hell is considered bad luck and misfortune. To wear the color red is auspicious. To wear the color black is considered taboo. In the midst of the festive season, it is a good time to reflect on the above verses because it grounds us on reality. It grounds us on what matters most in our lives. The choice between heaven and hell. The choice between death and separation from God, or eternal life with God. What will you choose?

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you as our Savior, the author of our salvation, the beginning and the end. We thank you for the free gift of salvation offered to all who call upon Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Please help us to actively seek you and your Kingdom and your righteousness all the days of our lives. We pray in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. How have you been tempted to chase after the things of this world? Share.
  2. How have you resisted such temptations?
  3. In what ways have you taken up your cross to follow Jesus? How has that benefitted you?

Who and how can you help this week to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior, and not the things of this world?