How much does a soul cost? What is its value? What is its worth? In some movies we see the exchange of a soul for something of value to the bargainer. Musical talent or ‘the girl’ are often the objects of desire gained through the exchange, but the cost ends up being much greater than ever imagined. This type of deal is based on the German legend of Faust, an ambitious and successful man who wants more out of life. He trades his soul for endless knowledge and sinful pleasures. It doesn’t turn out for him as he imagined.
I don’t want you to think that this exchange takes place with a pentagram of fire painted on the floor surrounded by candles. No blood has to be spilled and no ancient incantations must be said. How do I know this? Have I done it myself?
Our text shows that the people Jesus is addressing, the crowd and His disciples, were in danger of making this exchange. That is why He brings it up. They were in the process of gaining something and losing their soul.
So what were they gaining? They were about to be ashamed of Jesus’ words. They were going to be allowed to deny what Jesus said. They were going to keep quiet when they should have spoken. The price to not feel ashamed is very high. It will cost your soul.
Jesus had just told His disciples about the upcoming betrayal, suffering, death and His resurrection. Peter had stepped up and tried to get Jesus to change His mind. Peter couldn’t imagine life through Jesus’ lenses. Peter knew how the plan was supposed to play out, and he wasn’t about to give up on his picture of reality. Jesus rebuked him.
Peter had to make a choice: would he accept Jesus’ picture of the world, or would he continue to see the world through his lens? Jesus won’t let Peter think there isn’t a price tag for keeping his own view of the world. And you can’t look at the world through you lens and Jesus’ lens at the same time. You lens cancels out the power available in Jesus.
But this exchange takes place with everyone one of us. When we compromise and settle for less than God’s will, we are exchanging our soul for something of infinitely diminished value. In Paul’s words from his letter to Corinth, we are building with wood, hay and stubble. These materials will not last. Our life will suffer. We might gain something here, but we will also lose both here and in eternity. All the costs do not carry to the future. Many of them will show up in life now. Broken relationships, depression, anxiety, mistrust, anger, isolation, and the list could go on.
Nothing in this world is worth the value of your soul. Maybe it is time to bring some of the previous exchanges back to the return counter and get your soul back. Refuse the promotion so you can spend more time with your family. Trade in the new car for one much older so the debt doesn’t weigh you down. Keep the old furniture. Sell the toys and make serving others a priority through you local church and its outreaches.
The Arnold Journey 