One who tries to preserve his own life by avoiding self-denial and martyrdom will end up losing it in the final judgment and has no share in eternal life (John 12:25). Whoever is willing to lay down his life for Christ’s cause, to give up his life in self-denial and in martyrdom, shall inherit true life. These words from Matthew 10:39 about finding and losing life continued to guide the disciples (Matthew 16:25,Mark 8:35,Luke 9:24,Luke 17:33; John 12:25). Jesus thus shows the apostles both their calling and their future.
The man who tries to preserve his own life by means of avoiding self-denial and martyrdom will eventually end up losing it in the final judgment and has no share in eternal life (see John 12:25). He, however, who is willing to lay down his life for Christ’s cause—that is, willing to give up his life in self-denial and in martyrdom—shall inherit true life. That the words from Matthew 10:39 about finding and losing life stayed with the disciples and continually guided them is evident from Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, Luke 17:33, and John 12:25.1 Jesus therefore holds before the apostles both their calling and their future. Its climax is this: to be willing to give up everything for Jesus, even life itself, if he requires it.2
39 Celui qui conservera sa vie la perdra, et celui qui perdra sa vie à cause de moi la retrouvera.