The last words of people amaze me. It shows, at times, the fundamental belief of the person speaking them. Take Bob Marley’s parting words for an example: ‘Money can’t buy life’. Obviously he figured it out. What about infamous communist Karl Marx who said: ‘Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough’ – Karl Marx. These were the last words shouted by the German philosopher to his housekeeper in 1883, after she asked if he had anything he wanted to say. Angry to the end. Most atheists are I guess. Speaking of angry last words, what about Joan Crawford who said: ‘[expletive], don’t you dare ask God to help me’. Which was aimed at her housekeeper, who had begun praying aloud at the actor’s bedside. How dare she be so kind! Need some more depressing last words? How about Sir Winston Churchill: ‘I’m bored with it all’. Bessie Smith, “The Empress of the Blues”, said: ‘I’m going, but I’m going in the name of the Lord’. Amen sister! One last person said: ‘All my possessions for a moment of time!’. Said by Queen Elizabeth I. What a humbling reminder that even a queen must bow to the end of this life on Earth. What would you trade? She would have given all of her possessions. Apparently even the crown jewels aren’t but a thing when it’s the end.
Jesus said in Mark 8.34-37— “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” What would you be willing to trade? What is of more value than your eternal soul? Queen Elisabeth I was willing to give all of her possessions for just a moment more of time. On the other hand, I would love for Jesus to rip me out of here right this second. I suppose it is a matter of your perspective. Perhaps a matter of alignment.
Thinking on alignment, the text is indicative of our follow-ship, also known as discipleship. Are we really willing to pay it all, go for broke, and win the race set before us? He has some demands. Jesus flat-out said to deny yourself. He then said to take up your cross, which is a death-wish. And then He said you could follow Him. If your more interested in preserving your life (save) then you will end up losing it. If, on the other hand, you’re more interested in spending it for Jesus, all the way, you will not lose the core you (soul). I’ve seen too many come and go who traded the most precious thing away for a moment of pleasure. They gave their soul in exchange for some peace, which is no peace at all. They have given away their clear conscience for alliances with a co-workers, bosses, mates, and the system. Just so they look ‘cool’. Just so they can ‘feel’ a certain way. Solomon called this vanity and vexation of spirit. It’s an empty pursuit, and loaded with fleeting air.
What is it worth to you? Jesus said— “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Seems the answer is: pretty much anything. Believers are rotting out their brains on devises every day. Is it worth it? Ever heard of trash in, trash out? We have believed the lie Satan has peddled. This lie is: everything is neutral. No it is not. Everything is not neutral. If it were, then why does Philippians 4 say “think of these things” (4.8)? Life is not chocked full of neutrality, it is a plethora of traps and snares for the believer who would be a disciple. Would you be a disciple? Jesus said here— “Whosoever will come after me…” That’s you and me.
If we would “come after” or follow Him, we have certain criteria, afore mentioned, and some things to think about. Do we really want to waste our most precious commodity, our soul? Or, do we want to give it away to one who we can trust with it? As Jesus said— “…whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” You and I will spend our life, our soul, somewhere, and for some purpose. I want mine invested, not wasted. How about you? The gospel pursuit, with and for souls is one of pure alignment with Christ. It is anti-isolation. It is focus and purpose. It’s something our souls long for.
Last, Jesus said something more about alignment in verse 38— “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” It’s an issue of alignment. Just as I stated earlier about neutrally, nothing is neutral. You have to pick a side, each and every day. Either you will align yourself with Christ and His mission in this world or you will align yourself with Satan and the pleasures of this world. The choice is clearly and solely up to you.