When Jesus said, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it,” what did he really mean? This statement is found in the book of Matthew 16:25 and has been a subject of debate and interpretation for centuries. In this article, we will delve into the meaning behind this statement and what it means for our lives today.
What Did Jesus Mean?
At face value, this statement may seem confusing and even contradictory. How can someone lose their life to find it? To understand Jesus’ words, we need to look at the context in which they were spoken.
In the preceding verses, Jesus had just finished telling his disciples about his impending death and resurrection. Peter had rebuked him, saying that such a thing would never happen to him. It was then that Jesus replied with the famous words about losing and finding life.
Jesus’ statement is a call to surrender our lives completely to him. He is asking us to give up our own desires, plans, and ambitions in order to follow him wholeheartedly.
When we do this, we are no longer living for ourselves but for God’s purposes. We are sacrificing our own agenda for his. This may involve giving up things that are important to us or even facing persecution or death.
The Rewards of Losing Our Lives
But what does Jesus mean when he says that those who lose their lives for him will find them? The rewards of surrendering our lives completely to God are great indeed.
When we let go of our own plans and trust in God’s plan for us, we experience a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). We also gain eternal life with God (John 3:16) and become partakers of his divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
How to Lose Our Lives for Jesus
So how do we go about losing our lives for Jesus? It starts with a willingness to surrender everything to him.
We must be willing to let go of our own plans and desires and trust in God’s plan for us. This may involve daily surrender, as we continually give our lives over to him and seek his will in every area. It may also involve stepping out in faith and doing things that are uncomfortable or even scary, trusting that God will be with us every step of the way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when Jesus said that whoever loses their life for him will find it, he was calling us to complete surrender. He is asking us to give up our own plans and desires in order to follow him wholeheartedly.
The rewards of such a surrender are great indeed: eternal life with God, peace that surpasses understanding, and the opportunity to become partakers of his divine nature. May we all have the courage and faith to lose our lives for Jesus today.