In my daily reading this week, I read a passage that jumped out at me more this time than times before. It has been nagging at the back of my mind ever since I read it.

Matthew 16:24–26 (ESV) — 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

I am sure you have heard plenty of sermons or Bible classes on this passage. It’s one of the biggies for church life. But has it really sunk into your heart what Jesus is saying? I personally find it so easy to read and so hard to live. How about you?

Think about what Jesus is telling us. I must give up being in charge of my life and COMPLETELY commit to following Jesus. Taking up my cross isn’t a partial type of thing; it’s the full commitment. I don’t really want to do that. I would rather be Simon of Cyrene rather than Jesus when it comes to crosses. Jesus, however, wants me to carry MY cross, not his. I must be that committed to him and faith.

Jesus explains why in vs 26. The whole purpose of our living on this earth is to prepare us for eternity. Let’s be honest, most of us think it’s preparing for this world. We spend our lives planning for tomorrow, kid’s college, career advancement, retirement and all the other things that in the end, don’t matter. We get so wrapped up on these 80 years and don’t prepare like we should for eternity. “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”

How are you living your life? Are you more focused on the life here on earth and what gets you ahead or on eternal life? More importantly, are you willing to stake your soul on the wrong priority?