Here’s another question of Jesus for us to ponder.  “For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?” (Mark 8:36).  

This is a question that can be considered at a lot of levels. In purely practical terms, what is your life worth? One night my father’s car wouldn’t start. Since he was only a block away from home, he decided to push the car back to the house rather than get help. He pushed it a short distance, had a heart attack, and died on the spot. Maybe it would have happened even if he hadn’t pushed the car, but I don’t know. Problem is, I would probably do something just like that because I hate asking for help with anything. What is a life worth?

The context of Jesus’ question, however, gives it another dimension. He was talking about discipleship and the dangers of following him. You could lose your life for being a follower of Jesus. But preserving an earthly life could cost eternal life. What is that life worth?

But there is yet a third way of looking at the question. What is life worth right now without God? Set aside the possibility of persecution and forfeiting eternal life. What is a purely material life without any spiritual qualities to it worth? That’s really the question for the present age where so many pursuits diminish the spiritual quality of life and take us farther away from God. Are those pursuits worth it?

So, what’s a life, your life, worth?

Read Mark 8:34-37 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne