Day 21 on the Journey

Friday – Luke 14:25-35
What can I say after hearing Jesus requirements of being a disciple? So I guess I will start by asking you your responses.

As you imagine yourself standing with the crowd around Jesus and he says, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father, mother, wife and children, sister and brother, and yes life itself, cannot be my disciple.”

What is the crowds response?

I imagine there are more than a few people who are hopping mad.

Is Jesus asking to much?

What are people saying?

What do you think about the absolute demand Jesus has laid down?

Something you might want to know…
“In the ancient world, the terms love and hate referred less to emotions than to behavior that either honored or dishonored someone else. Hating one's family meant doing something that injured them, particularly by disgracing them. Life was family centered, and the honor of the family was very highly valued. Every family member was expected to protect the honor of the family. If some members joined a suspect movement and abandoned their home, this brought disgrace on the family, particularly if done in disobedience to the patriarch.” (Abington Commentary)

Another something to think about…
Think about this idea of putting God above family is not something only Jesus taught. Do you remember the story of Abraham and his son? How God asked him to take his son to Mount Moriah and perform a ritual sacrifice. It was only at a critical moment an angel speaks, a ram appears, and Abraham son’s life is spared.

And I will leave you with this…
In Jesus warning, he outlines three kinds of sacrifice that disciples must be willing to make. All three have already been talked about several times. However, Jesus’ language is very sharp. He says following Christ means hating one's family, carrying one's cross, and taking leave of all one's possessions. These three conditions are made clear as what is required by a disciple.