For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:37

A few verses prior to this one, Jesus explained that “the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” (Mk. 8:31) He taught that he must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and rise again on the third day. He must. When you read verse 37, “What will a man give in exchange for his soul,” remember that verse 31 tells you what Jesus exchanged for your soul. He gave himself. 

He was rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes so that you would be received by the Father. He was killed so that you could have life everlasting. He rose again that you might have eternal life with him. 

You were bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23). The price was God’s own Son. He gave himself for you. In doing so, he upheld God’s law. He loved God (being obedient unto death, even the death of the cross…) with all his heart, soul, and strength. He loved you as himself. He gave himself for you. 

I won’t keep you long today. Let me simply encourage you to call to mind frequently that when Jesus says we are to take up our cross and follow him, he is calling us, enabling us, and commanding us to reflect his love and mercy by the power of his love and mercy.

Soli Deo Gloria.