Jesus told the disciples that it would cost them their lives to follow him. Then He instructed them why. He said,

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.” - Mark 8:35, ESV.

In true Biblical, paradoxical fashion, Jesus told them that if they wanted to follow Him, they would have to embrace opposite thinking. If they tried to protect themselves, serve themselves, and save themselves for eternity, they would fail. But if they would let go of that type of thinking and live boldly, selflessly, and obediently, then they would have eternal life in heaven.

In a lot of ways, Christianity is the opposite of the American way. We are taught to work hard for what we want, hold on to it, protect it, and rely on ourselves. That’s why so many men die in retirement. They experience depression when they can no longer keep up, provide, or protect.

If we were to embrace Jesus’ teaching, we would be much better off in this life and definitely in the next. Let’s take His advice. Let’s live for the mission all of our lives. Let’s chase after the things of God more than the things of this world. Let’s not live only to add to our lives, but be willing to lose them for the sake and cause of Christ. -Pastor Mike

BTW, Humans are scared of hippos because they're violent and responsible for hundreds of deaths per year, when in reality, people kill way more people per year, so that’s just being hippocritical.