What Does It Profit?
Introduction: This particular subject passage is found in similar manner in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In those gospels, the verses preceding this passage have Jesus telling his followers that he will be mistreated, killed, and will rise again on the third day. These few verses define the total surrender Jesus requires of any disciple, and then bring focus to the unmatched value of the eternal state of our soul. What would be your net gain if you had all the wealth, power, and influence throughout the entire world, if your soul was lost at your death?
A — Deny Self, Take Up the Cross, and Follow
Matthew 16 “24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
Mark 8 “34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
Luke 9 “23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Comments: Mark tells us Jesus directed his words to more than just the apostles. Mark also uses the term “whosoever” while Matthew and Luke record “if any man,” indicating application to all followers of Christ. All three gospels then instruct us to take up our cross — which is to surrender our will as if to our very death — and follow Christ. When the cross was taken up under Roman rule, it meant total humiliation and certain death. Since Christ did this for us, should we not agree with Paul: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.”
B — Whoever Will Save His Life Shall Lose It
Matthew 16 “25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
Mark 8 “35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”
Comments: At our death, without choice we will surrender all things that are in and of the world, but Jesus calls believers to do that in practical manner for him while yet alive in the world. Anything we do to save our physical lives now will eventually be of non-effect when we reach the end of our natural life, but receiving eternal life in Christ will never end. The verse from Mark links the gospel with Christ, and we must believe that gospel completely in order to lose our life to Christ, and thereby find our life in him. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
C — What Is a Man Profited by Gaining the Whole World?
Matthew 16 “26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Luke 9 “25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?”
Comments: Whenever Jesus spoke, what he said was the very word of God, therefore of necessity it was consistent with Old Testament scripture. Jesus describes as a fool the one who acquires riches in this world only, but is not rich toward God. No man can preserve his own soul, but must turn to God for that salvation, because all will bow in total submission before the Lord. The ransom to secure our soul that no one else could ever pay to God, who created and owns everything, is provided by God himself: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
D — The Son of Man Shall Come in the Glory of His Father
Matthew 16 “27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Mark 8 “38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Comments: Matthew refers to works; whereas Mark and Luke speak first of being ashamed, and then of the glorious return of Christ. The reference to “works” can be reconciled with the concept of “being ashamed” as stated in Mark and Luke. The works that men do either exhibit our self-confidence, or our confidence in Christ. The acceptable works are not our attempt to reach God, but reflect that God has already reached us: “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” God has provided the contrast of those who will be ashamed and those who will not: “whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I need your strength to genuinely deny myself, with all the qualities I have inherited through Adam that I easily pursue. Your Word has revealed to me that I must consider myself dead to the world system, because otherwise I cannot truly follow you. You told your disciples of your impending mistreatment, death, and resurrection before you gave them the requirement to take up their cross. Then you, the very King of Glory, willingly gave up your life on the cross to provide the only way to find life through giving it up. I believe Lord that a man is not profited by gaining all that the world can offer, if seeking the kingdom of God is not foremost in his practice. Thank you Lord, for the comfort of your Word, that he who places trust in you will not be ashamed. There truly is no profit if I should gain the whole world, for even a multiple of that gain would be of insufficient value to the God of all creation for the salvation of my soul! And now Lord, may I abide in Christ my Savior with confidence that I will not be ashamed at your appearing. Amen.
Published 28 April 2005