Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.

My Sunday Scripture 2011.8.28.



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The Text: Matthew 16:21-27
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21 From then onwards Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day.

22 Then, taking him aside, Peter started to rebuke him. 'Heaven preserve you, Lord,' he said, 'this must not happen to you.'

23 But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do.'

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.

25 Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.

26 What, then, will anyone gain by winning the whole world and forfeiting his life? Or what can anyone offer in exchange for his life?

27 'For the Son of man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his behaviour

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My Reading Notes:
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This is a very basic teaching of Jesus Christ.

Any one who wants to keep his life will lose it, and any one who gives his life may have it.

Why?

And this is very very special among all other religion teachings, and even some Christians may have difficulties understanding it.

The point is: How do you "use" your life?

Do you want to use it, or do you want to waste it?

And what is waste?

just like candle burning.

Those who are willing to burn himself may have life. And those who refuse to burn, will have no life. Its simple and clear, however, not easy for many.