John 12:25-26
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
I actually love my life. It’s far from perfect, to be sure, but the blessings of God’s lavishness are ever-present. I have an incredible wife that I don’t deserve (married since 1992). We have four, strong-willed and passionate children who are making their way in the world, trying to please the Lord and love well. Our family is loving and caring towards one another, but we can be way too hard on one another, as well. I love my radio ministry. I love my teaching ministry for high school homeschoolers. I love where we live, and we are blessed with lots of good friends and opportunities. Does Jesus want me to have the opposite opinion? Am I supposed to hate my life rather than love it?
I know that for someone reading this devotional, you actually do hate your life. Nothing seems to go right, and pain is around every corner. You have had some great moments, but they seem to be fleeting. You have tried and failed many times, and you just can’t catch a break. You smile and give a short answer when people ask how you are doing, but it’s always far from the truth. Is your disdain for your circumstances what Jesus was talking about?
Neither one of us is right.
Jesus is not upset with me because I love my life and he is not pleased with the fact that you can’t say that about your own. God is FOR US and his desire is to see us flourish…but only in a way that is congruent with his will. Jesus calls us to “hate” our earthly lives, not in the sense that we disregard its value, but that we freely give it over to his will. In effect, we are willing to “die” to this earthly way of living in order to “live” it out according to God’s Kingdom decrees. The Australian New Testament scholar, Leon Morris, put it this way:
“The man whose priorities are right has such an attitude of love for the things of God that it makes all interest in the affairs of this life appear by comparison as hatred.”
Frank Sinatra declared, “I did it my way!” The world tells you to “Follow your heart!” Your flesh fights for autonomy by declaring its independence from the Judge of the Universe and the culture applauds you as you puff up your chest and plant your flag with the word “MINE” blazoned across it. We cling to the things of this world and barely hold on to the things of God. Through salvation—and as shown in baptism by immersion—the true follower of Christ “dies” to the world system (buried under the water) and then comes out of that “grave” into Real Life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I think the famous old hymn captures today’s devotional perfectly…
O soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are
And turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
His word shall not fail you, He promised
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell
And turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
