The study of the English language was never one of my better topics as a student.  Therefore, I tend to look up the definition of some words to make sure I understand the word correctly.  The passage today is described as a paradox.  When I look up the definition of paradox, it is described as a statement that seems contradictory or absurd but contains a deeper, often profound, truth or logic upon closer examination, challenging common sense with opposing ideas.  You cannot just read that you must lose your life to save it and have a firm understanding of how to live without taking a deeper dive into what Jesus really meant.

Jesus had just told His followers they must take up their cross to follow Him.  Remember, when He made this statement, He had not yet died on the cross.  However, crucifixions were common in that day, so the followers understood the terrible death that came from the cross.  He then begins to explain in verse 35 what it meant to carry your cross.  The truth that He is teaching is self-denial.  Every ambition and desire you have is to be submitted to God.  It does not mean that everything you desire is wrong or that ambition is a bad thing.  But it does mean that instead of looking to fulfill your self-will, you are willing to seek God’s will first.

Some of the worst decisions I have made in my life were not wrong in and of themselves.  But in review, I realized I was not seeking God’s will in the process.  We also need to understand that just because our world endorses our ambitions and desires, it does not mean it is pleasing to God.  When we first make a commitment to God, we realize that we must surrender our lives to God.  And that act of surrender continues throughout our lifetime.  What areas of your life do you control and refuse to surrender to God?  Maybe you have surrendered many aspects of your life to God, but upon further reflection, you realize that you have not been willing to surrender everything. We are never too old to discover new areas of our lives that we need to submit to God!

Read Mark 8:31-38