“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25 ESV)
A particular figure of speech in grammar pertains to today’s text. It is called an oxymoron. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction (e.g. faith unfaithful kept him falsely true). The oxymoron forces together two terms which are seemingly incompatible.
Jesus taught His disciples that whoever would save his life would lose it. To save (σῴζω; sozo) means to deliver a life from death. To lose (ἀπόλλυμι; apollymi) means to utterly destroy or kill resulting in death. The irony is clear. Sinful man’s attempts to deliver themselves from the penalty of sin, which is eternal damnation, results in just that; eternal damnation.
Conversely, whoever loses his life for the Lord’s sake would find it. To find (εὑρίσκω; heurisko) means to attain and to achieve. Those who understand that they are destined for eternal death will, by grace alone through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone, attain salvation from damnation.
Who are some biblical characters that fit the former category as eternal losers? These include, but are not limited to, the following: Cain (Gen.4:1-8; I John 3:12), Ahab and Jezebel (I Kings 21), Haman (Esther 3:1-5; 5:9-14), King Herod I (Matt. 2:1-16), Judas Iscariot (Matt. 26:14-16; Luke 22:47-48) and the rich young ruler (Matt. 19:16-22).
In contrast, who are some of the Bible’s great finders? These include Judah (Gen. 44:18-34), Jonathan (I Sam. 18-20), the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37), Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25-30) and Onesiphorus (2 Tim. 1:16; 4:19).
This is not to suggest that following Jesus is easy. On the contrary, Jesus made sure His disciple knew that it would be difficult. In the Upper Room Discouse (John 13-17) Jesus taught His disciples the following.
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ (John 15:18–25 ESV)
Since the fallen world hates believers in Christ, we can take comfort knowing that we are in good and holy company. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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