“Aim for Christ and get joy and God. Aim for joy and get neither.” -Pastor Nathan

The Christian journey often feels like a paradox, filled with tensions that seem, at first glance, to defy logic. But these tensions aren’t negative; they are divine mysteries that call us to step beyond human understanding. One of the most profound examples comes from Jesus’ words in Matthew 10, where He challenges us to consider the cost of following Him.

In this passage, Jesus speaks candidly to His disciples about the relational divisions His presence can bring. He declares that our love for Him should far surpass even our love for family. He invites us to take up our cross—a metaphor for sacrificial living—in devotion to Him. And then, Jesus delivers one of the most counterintuitive statements in all of Scripture:

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” – Matthew 10:39

At first glance, these words seem contradictory. How can losing your life lead to truly finding it? To understand this, we need to explore what Jesus is pointing us toward.

Jesus begins by acknowledging a universal truth: we all long to find life. We yearn to know who we are and to experience the fullness of existence. This desire is as old as humanity itself and remains a defining pursuit of our modern age.

How often do we hear calls to “find yourself,” “live authentically,” or “chase your dreams”? Yet, for many, this relentless pursuit ends in frustration, anxiety, or emptiness. Why? Because seeking life solely in accomplishments, wealth, or personal satisfaction leaves us chasing shadows. These things aren’t inherently wrong, but they can never fulfill our deepest longing for abundant life.

Here’s where Jesus flips the script: instead of telling us how to “find life” in three easy steps, He tells us to let go of the pursuit altogether. He tells us to stop making ourselves the center of our lives. Instead, Jesus invites us to surrender everything to Him. And in doing so, we discover life in its truest, most joyful form.

Surrendering to Christ isn’t about giving up—it’s about giving over. It’s a shift in priorities and perspective, letting go of self-centered ambitions to embrace a Christ-centered life. Here are some ways this surrender might look in daily life:

• Prioritizing time with God: Spending moments in Scripture and prayer instead of getting lost in endless entertainment or busy pursuits.
• Serving others selflessly: Giving without expecting anything in return, whether it’s time, resources, or service.
• Boldly sharing the Gospel: Speaking truth, even when it might lead to rejection or ridicule.
• Living out the Gospel at home: Parents setting aside selfish ambitions to model Christ’s love and grace within their family.
• Living out the Gospel at work: Working diligently by showing up on time, respecting authority, and intentionally showing kindness to those around me regardless of the circumstance.
• Following Christ’s example: Just as Jesus “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7), we are called to live sacrificially for the sake of others.

This surrender might feel like loss at first, but it leads to something far greater: the joy-filled life Jesus promised. When we obey His commands and abide in His love, we experience a fullness of joy that cannot be found anywhere else.

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:10–11

The tension Jesus describes in Matthew 10 isn’t meant to discourage us—it’s meant to free us. By letting go of our grip on life, we open our hands to receive the abundant life He offers. And in this paradox, we find the truth: the path to life is through surrender.

Scriptures for meditation: Isaiah 6:1-8, Matthew 16:24-28, Galatians 2:15-21

Questions to consider:

• What is my primary pursuit in life?
• How much does Christ and His Word influence the direction of my life?
• Is there anything I’m not willing to give up for Jesus?

The quote from Pastor Nathan was taken from this teaching on November 17, 2024