DAY 7 | MATTHEW 10

Matthew 10:39 “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”

In Matthew 10:39, Jesus tells his disciples, "If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it." This incredible verse emphasizes the extreme paradoxical nature of following Jesus Christ. It is a reminder that our true fulfillment and purpose in life come only from surrendering our own desires and ambitions to align with God's will. By placing our trust in Him and living according to His teachings, we will ultimately find true life and fulfillment.

The world around us relentlessly pushes an ideology that this life is meant to be spent in pursuit of our own ‘happiness’.  To discover what makes us most satisfied, fulfilled, or comfortable.  Jesus lived in such a way that completely turns this concept upside down and teaches that if you choose to live this life for yourself, in pursuit of your own pleasures, then you will lose everything.  Instead, if we will give up our lives for Him, we will find life.  Jesus reminds us in the latter part of John 10:10, that He has come so that we may have life, and have it to the fullest!  It can be difficult to make this important mental shift.  It flies in the face of social normality and is somewhat counter intuitive.  Instead of self preservation or fulfillment,  we discover God’s abundant blessings as we put Him first and foremost.  In order to experience all that God has created us for, we must passionately pursue Him and His will.  It is right there, in that place, that we will find real life!

Reflection Questions:

1. How can we practically apply the concept of losing our lives for Christ's sake in our daily lives?

2. What are some examples of sacrificing our own desires for the sake of following Jesus?

3. How does this verse challenge our society's emphasis on self-fulfillment and the drive for individual success?

Eric Stephens

Campus Pastor (Montgomery County)