A Death Wish

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” [Matthew 20.25-28]

There's just no way around this:

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]

Following Him was never presented by Jesus as an easy thing. It is a life of service. Period. No amount of academics or reason can genuinely prove otherwise.

Furthermore, Jesus was clear that following Him was not just about hardships, but in fact, about a total resignation to one's own life so that the lives of others might take precedence. So important is this "others-first" mandate that the alternative is devastating loss.

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. [Matthew 16.25]

In a world turned absolutely self-centered, Jesus' words stand in stark contrast that the motivation for self-preservation is, in fact, a death wish.

The time in which we live serves as the most vivid backdrop in all history against which to contrast the selfless love of God.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15.13]

Father, help believers everywhere to understand the enormous opportunity today to shine the selfless love of Jesus to the world God loves so much.