33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
By reading these scriptures we see that it is imperative that we "take up the cross" daily, and "lose" our life. We know what this means literally, but now let's examine what this means figuratively.
First let's look at "taking up the cross". The word "cross" was translated from the Greek word "stauros, (stow-ros')". The figurative meaning of this word is exposure to death, i.e. self-denial, implying the atonement of Christ. Thus, we need to "take up" the atonement of Christ; remove ourselves from the exposure from spiritual death, denying ourselves (the desires of the flesh and "our" will).
Next, let's look at what is meant by "lose" your life in these scriptures. The word "lose" was translated from the Greek word "apollumi, (ap-ol'-oo-mee)" which comes from the prefix "apo, (apo') a primary particle "off"; i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation), and the base word "olethros, (ol'-eth-ros)" from a primary "ollumi" (to destroy; a lengthening of a pronunciation form); ruin, i.e. death, punishment - destruction. So to "lose" our life would mean to move ourselves away from destruction, which is our "worldly" and "carnal" ways of life, to the ways of life; the "will" of our Father in Heaven.
So now, if we put this together, we see that by "taking up the cross" and "lose" our life, we know that we are being told to accept Christ as our Savior, let go of our life as we knew it, and follow him (our example) into a new way of life that leads to eternal life instead of the destruction of spiritual death. We must do His will, including spreading the gospel, and make whatever sacrifices are necessary to accomplish His will.
By "taking up the cross" and by losing our life, we are not only not cast away, but become Christ's disciples, what an honor! Praise and Glory to God!! Now let's read John 12:24-26 which now can be much clearer to us, having studied the previous scriptures.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it: and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me: and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
One last thought in closing. He tells us that "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angles." (Luke 9:26).
These things I leave with you in Jesus' name, Amen.
