What is Worth More?

“For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world [with all of its pleasures], and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul and eternal life [in God’s Kingdom]?”
Mark 8:36 & 37 (AMP)

Peter had just declared in response to Jesus’ question – “But who do you say I am?” that Jesus was the Messiah. Hold onto that thought because Peter is about to be Peter. Jesus started telling the guys what is going to happen to him. Peter pulls Jesus aside and tells him – tells the Messiah – hey dude stop talking like that. Jesus didn’t care for Peter’s reprimand and responded by saying “Get away from me Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s” (Mark 8:32-33 NLT). Can you imagine the look on Peter’s face? Does that “Get away from me Satan” line sound familiar? Jesus actually says the same thing to the real Satan when he tempts Jesus with the world – See Matthew 4:8-10.

Jesus then calls the crowd to come and join the group for a lesson about the cost of being his follower. Someone who wants to sincerely follow him must; give up having things their own way, and pick up a cross to follow him. Jesus tells the crowd – try to hang on to your life and you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me and the Good News you will save it. In today’s world many might consider that too high a price. Then Jesus asks the questions of the week.

What is worth more than our souls? The right answer should be nothing, but what does how we act and live reveal about what we think? Think about the things that take your attention off God. Things like money, politics, acceptance according to worldly standards, being right, etc. What might you add to the list?

Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this email – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – Your soul is worth everything, especially to God, so don’t give it to the world.