What Jesus Did! 'What's It Worth?' — Luke 9:24-25

Sunday, June 11, 2023

[After saying his followers must take up their cross daily, Jesus said,] "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?"
— Luke 9:24-25 NLT

Key Thought

On earth, we get one lifetime. That's it. No more and no less. What we do in this life determines how we will spend eternal life. So if we live our lives trying to bring fulfillment to ourselves and seeking to achieve things that bring honor to only us, we're going to end up losing everything of eternal value. There are no trailer hitches on hearses for a reason: All we take with us into the next life is our relationship with Jesus and with those who love him. So let's not pursue what is ultimately insignificant, inconsequential, and perishable. The only lasting investment for our lives is Jesus!

Today's Prayer

Clear my clouded vision, O God, so that I can see your will more clearly and not be distracted by my own selfishness and self-seeking. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Haggai 1:3-6
  • Matthew 6:19-21
  • Philippians 3:7-9

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14 Related Resources by Heartlight

Luke 9:25
Devo: Today's Verse
""What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?""
Don't Lose It!
Illustration of Luke 9:25
Inspirational illustration of Luke 9:25 -- What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
Even if It Means a Cross
Article by Phil Ware
Do we really want the Cross to define us? We want a Christianity without the Cross, a Savior without a Lord, and a Tinkerbelle Jesus, reprinted.
Giving What Can't Be Kept
Article by Tim Archer
If you can't keep something, why not give it up? There is nothing foolish about turning our back on the things of this life in order to gain a life that has no end.
See All 14 Related Resources about Luke 9:24-25

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 9:24-25 NLT — "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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