Loyalty to Jesus at Any Cost: Luke 14:25-27
“25) Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, “26) If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. 27) Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:25-27
At first glance, it is difficult to reconcile these words with the message of agape love Jesus often taught. How can these verses be harmonized with John 13:34-35; “A new commandment I give you that you love one another, even as I have love you… by this will all men know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
There is an answer to this dilemma. As followers of Jesus Christ, our love and commitment for Jesus should be so strong it may hurt family members that we love. Many times they will make us choose between them and our love for Jesus. They will accuse us of hating them if we remain loyal to Jesus.
Such is often the case when a Muslim converts to following Jesus Christ. Many family members have tried to kill their newly converted sons or daughters. Many have been successful.
Other times, the new convert brings shame and dishonor on the entire family or clan because of their new found love and loyalty to Jesus. The whole family can be targeted for wrath and punishment because of one member who became a convert to Jesus Christ. Failing to renounce Jesus can be viewed as hate by the family.
Keep in mind, Jesus was speaking to strong Jewish families. Those who turned to Jesus were subjected to family shunning. They often brought banishment by parents or spouse. Their love for Jesus was viewed as hate for family. Many times the scorn can be fixed simply by renouncing Jesus for the sake of love of family.
Jesus was telling His followers to count the cost of following Him. Their love for Jesus had to become much greater than their loyalty to parents, spouse, family and friends. The gap of loyalty has to be as great as the gap between love and hate. At least, that is the way it may be viewed by family and friends.
Many pay a huge price for following Jesus. They are misunderstood, maligned, rejected and hated. Loving and following Jesus can be costly, painful and deadly!
These verses are easily understood by converts to Jesus Christ in many cultures. Jesus was not calling believers to hate their families, He was warning them to count the cost of following Him. They wound likely be accused of hate crimes against their families.
In many cultures, true love and loyalty to Jesus Christ might cost your life. Taking up your cross to follow Jesus includes a willingness to die for him at the hands of family members. In these cultures, betraying family honor in favor of loving Jesus is viewed as the ultimate hate crime. It is often punishable by death.
These were not empty words Jesus was speaking. If you doubt me, study Christian martyrdom through the ages.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“25) Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, “26) If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. 27) Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:25-27
At first glance, it is difficult to reconcile these words with the message of agape love Jesus often taught. How can these verses be harmonized with John 13:34-35; “A new commandment I give you that you love one another, even as I have love you… by this will all men know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
There is an answer to this dilemma. As followers of Jesus Christ, our love and commitment for Jesus should be so strong it may hurt family members that we love. Many times they will make us choose between them and our love for Jesus. They will accuse us of hating them if we remain loyal to Jesus.
Such is often the case when a Muslim converts to following Jesus Christ. Many family members have tried to kill their newly converted sons or daughters. Many have been successful.
Other times, the new convert brings shame and dishonor on the entire family or clan because of their new found love and loyalty to Jesus. The whole family can be targeted for wrath and punishment because of one member who became a convert to Jesus Christ. Failing to renounce Jesus can be viewed as hate by the family.
Keep in mind, Jesus was speaking to strong Jewish families. Those who turned to Jesus were subjected to family shunning. They often brought banishment by parents or spouse. Their love for Jesus was viewed as hate for family. Many times the scorn can be fixed simply by renouncing Jesus for the sake of love of family.
Jesus was telling His followers to count the cost of following Him. Their love for Jesus had to become much greater than their loyalty to parents, spouse, family and friends. The gap of loyalty has to be as great as the gap between love and hate. At least, that is the way it may be viewed by family and friends.
Many pay a huge price for following Jesus. They are misunderstood, maligned, rejected and hated. Loving and following Jesus can be costly, painful and deadly!
These verses are easily understood by converts to Jesus Christ in many cultures. Jesus was not calling believers to hate their families, He was warning them to count the cost of following Him. They wound likely be accused of hate crimes against their families.
In many cultures, true love and loyalty to Jesus Christ might cost your life. Taking up your cross to follow Jesus includes a willingness to die for him at the hands of family members. In these cultures, betraying family honor in favor of loving Jesus is viewed as the ultimate hate crime. It is often punishable by death.
These were not empty words Jesus was speaking. If you doubt me, study Christian martyrdom through the ages.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
