"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. - Luke 14:26 NIV
This is a difficult statement. Did Jesus really mean that my desire to be His disciple requires me to hate my loved one?
Not so. The Contemporary English Version gives a clearer picture ...
"You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life."
Rather than asking me to hate my father and mother and other loved ones, my Lord is challenging me to be unconditionally identified with Him. In effect, He is asking me, "Are you so surrendered to Me that you truly love me more than any one else, including yourself?"
Jesus' major consideration is whether I have given up my right to myself and if I have already done so, then if my relationship with Him is above every other relations.
Mark 10:21 (Message) goes deeper. "Jesus looked him hard in the eyes - and loved him! ..." When the Lord look hard in our eyes, He expects a response which requires us to give up our loyalty to any other person or possession.
Oneness with Him means nothing in between. This is good in His sight.
Is there the "one thing left ....." for us to do before we can truly follow Him?
God bless.
Steven
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