What Will You Give for Your Soul?

Jesus asked this question in light of His teaching the disciples about His role as the Messiah, especially His sufferings and death, and His resurrection – – we will look at all three synoptics in this lesson, since each adds a unique aspect of the event.

Mark 8:34–38 ESV

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

I) Suffering of the Christ

Jesus had just quizzed them about their understanding of His role –

Luke 9:18–20 ESV

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

But it was not yet time for the general population to hear this message –

Luke 9:21 ESV

And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,

Jesus began to prepare them for the end of His ministry –

Matthew 16:21 ESV

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

Although the enemies had already been planning this – – the disciples seem to have been unaware until now

Matthew 12:14 ESV

But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

This would end violently, and they will be very involved in this, although Peter claims it will not (cannot?) happen to Him –

Matthew 16:22 ESV

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”

In this, he shows his selfishness, which Jesus rebukes –

Matthew 16:23 ESV

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

II) Sacrificial commitment of discipleship

Jesus then makes His ministry become their ministry; they must be sacrificial each day, as He is –

Luke 9:23 ESV

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Those who attempt to save/control their own life will end up losing it, but those who sacrifice self for Christ find it saves them –

Philippians 2:3–8 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

He then asks what is the net profit of gaining the whole world, but losing or forfeiting himself? –

Luke 9:25 ESV

For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Matthew and Mark’s account specify the soul – – and further refines the question to emphasize the value of the soul

Matthew 16:26 ESV

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?

Mark and Luke record that this forfeiting the soul is to be ashamed of Jesus and His gospel – – to be ashamed of Jesus or His word is to lose your integrity –

Mark 8:38 ESV

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Job 2:9 ESV

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”

III) Coming of Jesus

This is the clincher that makes it worthwhile for the sacrifice of self – – Jesus is coming again; He comes with the glory of God and His angels

Mark 8:38 ESV

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

But this coming would be within the lifetime of some standing there, which means some would forfeit their souls by being ashamed of Him then – ;

Matthew 16:28 ESV

Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Luke 9:26–27 ESV

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus comes in judgment against nations and cultures that war against Him; which side will we choose from now until then?

Concl: We can forfeit our soul now by being ashamed of the Messiah and His gospel at the place of battle.