Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36
Though I have never lain awake mourning the loss of a car, or wept hot tears at the sudden memory of a coat I once wore, I have sometimes found myself mindlessly running after worldly things. Jesus warns us that it is so easy to be trapped by temporary things. They have the allure of a baited hook dangling before us. But the satisfaction of this world is so brief and its hook will tear the eternal things out of our hearts.
Jesus not only tells us, He shows us what it means to value eternal things. During the last dark hours of His life we see a clear contrast of what Jesus prized and what He did not. Above our Master on his cross was a mocking title "The kings of the Jews" The Romans were laughing as they nailed this above his head. They were spitting on him, beating him and pulling the hairs of his beard out. That was what they thought about the Jews, king or otherwise. To them, Jesus was a worthless man from a worthless race. The only valuable item they could find was his robe, so for that they gambled at the foot of the cross. They barely glanced up to look as Jesus suffered. He was just another fool taking his last breaths.
But in His final hour, Jesus' mother and John came to the cross. Jesus turned to Mary and told her, "See, I am leaving you John to care for you." Then He turned to John and told him, "Here is my mother, please care for her as though she were your own." Mary was the final earthly treasure of Jesus' life. He did not turn and say, "John you can have my house," or "John my savings are hidden behind a stone in the wall." No, Jesus had no earthly treasure. He had lost His own life in every way. He had lost his worldly place of respect and honor. He had lost his home, his family and all worldly hopes. There was nothing left that was temporary. The thief on the cross next to Jesus saw clearly that soon, Jesus would be inheriting a kingdom! Jesus was leaving this life with a crown of thorns slicing into His forehead, but he would be crowned with honor and glory by the Father.
Around the world today we can still find disciples hearing the challenge from the cross. "Take care of my mother, take care of my brothers, watch our for my little ones." These are the priceless treasures that Jesus has left in our care. Can we can hear his voice? It will be worth it all one day if before Jesus we can wrap our arms around someone and say, "Jesus, here is your mother, your little sister and your son." Can we see that only people and not things really matter? The lives of people all around us are the treasure Jesus has left hidden in the field. It will cost us everything to have them as a part of our eternal reward. We all have a choice to make today. How will we decide? Will we give all for what God values most, or will we gamble for temporary things?
Jesus not only tells us, He shows us what it means to value eternal things. During the last dark hours of His life we see a clear contrast of what Jesus prized and what He did not. Above our Master on his cross was a mocking title "The kings of the Jews" The Romans were laughing as they nailed this above his head. They were spitting on him, beating him and pulling the hairs of his beard out. That was what they thought about the Jews, king or otherwise. To them, Jesus was a worthless man from a worthless race. The only valuable item they could find was his robe, so for that they gambled at the foot of the cross. They barely glanced up to look as Jesus suffered. He was just another fool taking his last breaths.
But in His final hour, Jesus' mother and John came to the cross. Jesus turned to Mary and told her, "See, I am leaving you John to care for you." Then He turned to John and told him, "Here is my mother, please care for her as though she were your own." Mary was the final earthly treasure of Jesus' life. He did not turn and say, "John you can have my house," or "John my savings are hidden behind a stone in the wall." No, Jesus had no earthly treasure. He had lost His own life in every way. He had lost his worldly place of respect and honor. He had lost his home, his family and all worldly hopes. There was nothing left that was temporary. The thief on the cross next to Jesus saw clearly that soon, Jesus would be inheriting a kingdom! Jesus was leaving this life with a crown of thorns slicing into His forehead, but he would be crowned with honor and glory by the Father.
Around the world today we can still find disciples hearing the challenge from the cross. "Take care of my mother, take care of my brothers, watch our for my little ones." These are the priceless treasures that Jesus has left in our care. Can we can hear his voice? It will be worth it all one day if before Jesus we can wrap our arms around someone and say, "Jesus, here is your mother, your little sister and your son." Can we see that only people and not things really matter? The lives of people all around us are the treasure Jesus has left hidden in the field. It will cost us everything to have them as a part of our eternal reward. We all have a choice to make today. How will we decide? Will we give all for what God values most, or will we gamble for temporary things?
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