Mark 8:36 - June 10, 2010

Mark 8:36 “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

What is the value of a soul? How do we determine the worth of an individual? Mark 8:36 provides a unique contrast by which a life can be measured. Many people invest their entire lives in pursuit of wealth. The false assumption that more money equates with more happiness, more security or more peace becomes a snare to how many people spend their lives! But this verse is an arresting insight into what really matters in life.

In Mark 8:36 Jesus states simply “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” This one verse elevates the inner life far about all of the externals that most people spend their lives focused upon! We wrestle for more comfort, more pleasure, more prestige, and yet miss the fact that all of these things fade away and cease to be of any value. In this passage the Lord is turning out attention to that which is eternal to make clear what our priority in life should be. Jesus is calling the attention of all who will listen to the fact that all else is worthless if we have not first attended to the condition of our soul.

Nothing compares to it in value and there is no earthly price that can be paid for its redemption and yet so many people spend their lives neglecting the central focus of every life; the human soul. Jesus is attempting to awaken His listeners to the fact that they are in jeopardy. Their eternal soul is in danger! Jesus comes to disrupt a comfortable neglect of the real issues of life. We are called to turn from our distractions. We are called to recognize that danger that we are in. This passionate appeal is both abrupt in its delivery and compassionate in its concern. Jesus is speaking with a stern reproach yet it is the most merciful thing that He can do as He witnesses multitudes of people wasting their lives on the wrong agenda. His words make clear the fact that no man will be able to buy his way out of the judgment that awaits those who waste their life on the things of this world. His words tell us “your choices are causing you to forfeit what really matters.” They call us to evaluate what we have spent our lives on! There is still time to shift the focus of our energies to those things that really matter, but the clock is ticking!

Mark 8:38 “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

Will you take a stand for Jesus? Mark 8:38 addresses one of the chronic deficiencies within the church; the fear of man! Many people believe the words of Jesus, they even embrace the message of Calvary and the death and resurrection of Christ and yet will not acknowledge their belief in front of others because of fear of reproach.

Jesus is calling all men to take a stand. The context of this exhortation in Mark 8:38 is within a social climate that Jesus defines as adulterous and sinful. It is this climate of sin that becomes the pressure point for the life of the righteous. The words of Jesus in this passage make it clear that it is not enough to simply believe. One of the primary roles of God’s people within the culture is to stand up and be a voice against the tide of sin. Confrontation is the ministry of the people of God.

This passage leaves no question as to God’s intention. In the midst of a corrupt and polluted generation it is God’s intention that the stand that Jesus took, the voice of opposition to this tide of sin that He boldly raised, continues to be raised by those who claim to be His disciples. This verse reverberates with a mandate that is placed upon the church to be bold about who we are and what we believe. No room is left for doubt. No room is left for questioning. The verdict is clear. If we are ashamed of Christ and His message before people, Christ will be ashamed of us before the heavenly Father. To receive the acclaim of heaven we must be willing to face the rejection of men.

Throughout much of Mark Jesus is seen raising a standard for the believers. Though many people present the message of the gospel in a context of grace alone, which is indeed the path to salvation, the message of Christ continues beyond the gift of salvation to the cost of discipleship! Again and again Jesus identifies the standard or expectation that is placed upon every believer and Mark 8:38 is such a standard. “Do not be afraid of men… stand up for the holiness of God… stand up for the work of Christ!” With this one verse all men are robbed of any excuse concerning their responsibility to identify with Christ in a public way. With this one verse all men are expected to triumph over the fear of man for the sake of Christ and His truth! With this one verse all men are called to take a stand for the Lord Jesus and the gospel. What will you do with this one verse and all that it implies!?