Give up your life

Jesus said that if you and I live a life of selfish ambition – even if you are the most successful person of all time and ‘gain the whole world’ (v.25) – it will do you no good at all. The way to find life in all its fullness is to abandon your life to the love of Jesus and of others. Take up your cross daily and follow him (v.23). Being willing to give up your life is the ultimate act of love. This is the example that Jesus set first. He calls you and me to follow his example: ‘cleave steadfastly to me, conform wholly to my example in living and, if need be, in dying’ (v.23, AMP).