Jesus is painting a picture of his impending suffering for the disciples—of the redemptive power of his suffering. This is a very difficult message- no easier to hear then that in it is now. The message that if we protect our lives as they are—if we prevent conflict, change and pain-we will find, at the end, that we had no life at all. If on the other hand we hate our lives-which I take to mean if we hate all that cheapens our lives- spending our time and energy chasing comfort, security, power and prosperity—if we start chasing God instead of all of these things, we will find abundance.