Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
The hour has come. Jesus is now facing the end of his ministry, the reality of his mission on earth. In verse 24 he summarizes his situation. In today’s verse, he applies that same principle to the lives of those who would follow Him.
What is the life that we lose? What is the life that we keep? Clearly, there is a choice here. The question that leaps to the eye is, “How do we discern the difference?”
This is an example of where the English language struggles to fully express the intent of the original Greek.
When Jesus says anyone who loves their life will lose it, the Greek for the word “life” is psyche. Strong’s Concordance describes this word as relating to the “breath of life” or those parts of life having to do with living in the flesh.
When Jesus talks about eternal life, the Greek uses the word, “zoe,” which Strong’s describes as life in God. Wholly in God.
Perhaps the question is: When you pack your bags for heaven, what will be in them?
Let’s Discuss: What will you be packing for your trip to heaven?
My voice to sing God’s praises.
Nice, Robster! I was wondering what would come to mind. 🙂
I can’t take anything from this world with me. The only thing I have ever been able to give Jesus that He wants and does not have if I do not give it is my worship and thanksgiving. That I can do. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says only three things remain: faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love. That ties back into worship. I can love Him and love others. I think we will still be doing that beyond this earth.
Rich,
What a beautiful thought! A suitcase full of love!! Nice.
I hope to take other people with me 🙂 The one thing of eternal durability on earth is the people. While salvation is a work of God, we as his church are invited into his mission. The gospel witness and relationships we build with believers is the building of our eternal family.
This was a good reminder for me today, I was honestly feeling rather selfish about things and needed a good reminder of what really matters in the long term.
Nathan,
I like the phrase, “eternal durability.” In this world most engineering calculations involve a wear factor or some kind of lifetime expectancy. The spiritual realm operates outside the laws of physics, as Jesus demonstrated over and over again. What a great way to bring long term thinking into perspective.