The Paradox of the Cross
Matthew 16:25-26 Through a paradoxical statement, Jesus explained what it means to be one of his disciples
“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”
Matthew 16:25-26 NLT
Today’s verses are well-known, but worthy of our examination. Matthew is quoting the words of Jesus here, stating the paradox of the cross to His disciples.
The paradox? You’ll save your (eternal) life by giving up your (earthly) life for Jesus’ sake. As Christians, it’s the way we must follow Jesus since it’s the only way we’ll ever find life. You don’t gain your resurrection life without dying to sin first.
Jesus provided the perfect example of the paradox during his 40 days in the wilderness. In Luke 4:5-8, Satan tempts Jesus with “all the kingdoms of the world,” but our Lord of course found eternal life and ultimate victory in obeying His Father to death… and resurrection.
To be a disciple of Jesus means to give our lives to Him, being obedient to Him even when it leads to hardship, persecution, and death. As with the original disciples, we need to no longer seek to rule our own lives, but to deny our personal desires to please Jesus.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to die to self so I may live to Christ. May my life be lived for You, to Your praise and glory. Even the richest person on earth could never have enough worth to pay for their own soul, but You paid the price for my soul by shedding Your blood on the Cross. In return, may I learn to live a life pleasing to You that seeks Your will, not mine. I pray this in Jesus’ name, AMEN.