Life Insurance, Jesus’ Policy

Since this is a Valentine’s Day week special post and related to Life Insurance I Googled to feed my curiosity (as well yours) whether there were any Life Insurance companies or agents propagating Life Insurance policies as one of the best Valentine’s day gifts. To my surprise, there are!

The first of the hits was that of ‘Legal and General’, a provider of savings and investment management products in the UK, which suggest to “Buy your partner the perfect valentine's gift today and help secure your future together.”

It was also great watching the TV ad of our very own Indian SBI Life Insurance, when I did a YouTube search,

 

A very cute ad indeed that talks about the bliss of marital love that transcends age. This post is not to promote life insurance or any bank or insurance company! But in this post we will look at the Life Insurance policy that Jesus suggests in the Bible. Are you wondering whether Jesus ever spoke about Insurance policies? Let me take your attention to a portion of the Scripture in Mark -

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:35 NKJV)

Jesus says that to save your life you need to lose it! Let me give a gist of the context so that we can clearly understand the terms and conditions of Jesus’ life insurance policy. “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38 NKJV)

Saving one’s life or losing it is measured on the scale of whether I am ashamed of Jesus and His words.

Does my reputation, position, situation makes me think that talking about Jesus and His words would make people look down on me or could it cause me to lose all that which in essence makes my “life”?

In this Valentine’s day week if you LOVE Jesus check whether your love for Jesus is more than your “life” – your respect, your reputation, your position, your recognition, etc.

This Life Insurance is also clear about the profit and loss that it brings.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36, 37 NKJV)

“For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life? What can a person give in exchange for his life?” (Mark 8:36, 37 NET)

The Psalmist very rightly points out the fallacy of human nature in understanding profit,

“They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.” (Psalm 49:6 NET); “the ransom price for a human life is too high, and people go to their final destiny” (Psalm 49:8 NET)

Accumulation of wealth and popularity is not real success and cannot guarantee “life”. The price to save life is too high for any man to pay and that’s why Jesus paid it on the cross. And this policy not only promises profit but total profit; not only life, but abundant life.

Are we ashamed of this Jesus who gave His life so that we may have life in abundance?

“You are right. I do understand the great love of Jesus. But at times it becomes very difficult to stand up for the gospel. What shall I do? What’s the solution?”

Let me show you the very important portion of this policy that’s powerful to empower us -

“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34 NKJV)

The Key is “Self Denial”. A look at other versions of this verse gives us a very clear meaning of self denial.

“If any one of you wants to follow Me, you will have to give yourself up to God’s plan, take up your cross, and do as I do.” (Mark 8:34 The Voice)

“Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self.” (Mark 8:34 MSG)

“If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests]” (Mark 8:34 AMP)

“If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself.” (Mark 8:34 CEV)

Hope this is exhaustive and self explanatory. Read more versions to get more insights on “self-denial”.

The more we start denying ourselves – the due recognition, the due respect and all that we think is “due” to us and just give up ourselves to God, it becomes easier to not be ashamed of Jesus and His words. I deny myself because the life that I live is of, from and for Jesus Christ: the meaning, purpose and the very existence of life is because of Jesus, His words and work on the cross.

Jesus prescribes us to practice this cross of self denial “daily”. It is not to be an occasional commitment, but needs to become a daily conscious practice. And that’s the way to LOVE Jesus!

Saving Life = Losing Life

Losing = Self Denial

Self Denial = Not me but Christ

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NKJV)

“Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.” (Colossians 3:3,4 MSG)

Have you taken up this policy for your life? Then this Valentine’s week let’s show our love by introducing our friends, relatives and colleagues to Jesus Christ, who promises life forever (John 5:24) and abundant life (John 10:10).

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Open to be doubted

When I say that it is hard to accept when someone doubts, you would agree with me. Yes, when someone doubts your integrity, character, work, behaviour it is not easy to accept it and it can also annoy you. And if the same is done by someone close to you, well known to you, it becomes very difficult to come in terms with that. Adding onto that if the person who doubts you sends some of his associates or friends to you to inquire about the matter, how would you feel?

Sometimes we might fight with those who come to inquire of us and for sure we will never respect the one who doubted us.

But when we see Jesus reacting to such a doubt, we can learn beautiful lessons for our lives.

“The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight.” Luke 7:18-21 (ESV)

Neither does Jesus fight with those who were sent to Him by John nor does He try to talk his way out of the doubtful situation, which we would normally do. But He continued to do His work -

“And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.” Luke 7:22 (ESV)

In such a situation when it is not easy to accept the doubter, we see Jesus dealing differently here while talking about John,

“When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:24-28 (ESV)

Jesus talks about the “greatness” of John, who doubted Him! When we are doubted, misunderstood by others, shall we commit ourselves to be open to be doubted like Jesus and pray that He may make us more like Him everyday.

Make me more like Thee

Make me more like Thee

Jesus make me more like Thee

Give me a heart that filled with love

And make me more like Thee

 

Let’s prayerfully resolve to,

• Smile & talk to the one who doubted us
• Not to harbour any resentment upon him or her who doubted us or spoke ill of us
• Not be judgmental of those who were judgmental about us
• Continue to do the good that we were called to do
• Not give up on anyone, but let’s give a fresh start to such people too and build godly relationships

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