Luke 14:25-26 says:
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "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."
Please explain.
2007-01-08 09:50:08 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It doesn't say "love less". It says "hate" (or despise - same thing). Who gives you the right to intepret it as something other than what it says?
2007-01-08 09:56:57 · update #1
It does not say "in comparison".
2007-01-08 09:57:58 · update #2
Should he not have been more clear if he wanted to avoid confusion. Why use those words? Why not say "in comparison"?
2007-01-08 10:04:18 · update #3
It DOES mean to love less... that's from the semantics of the day. I've read enough about Judaism and early Christianity. I love God more because he is the one who gave me my parents.
2007-01-08 10:10:41 · answer #1 · answered by The Carmelite 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Gospel writer of Luke chose the word "Hate" to express that those who follow Jesus will not be allowed anyone to come in between following Him or giving into a family member who may not want to follow Jesus and his way. Jesus loved his own mother so much that in the hour of his death he committed her to care of his disciple John who was standing with Mary at the foot of the cross. Jesus insisted in his followers to love Him more than anyone else including family members.
2007-01-08 09:57:50 · answer #2 · answered by brother g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was drawing a comparison - you should love Him so much that your relationships with other people seem like hate in comparison.
Your own desires and ambitions should also be put aside, if they keep you from following Him completely.
Added: You seem to be detemined to hammer on the word hate. It must be literal for you. OK. Hate your family. Love Jesus.
But remember that Jesus also said to love your neighbor as yourself. Which is supposed to be literal, which is a comparison?
2007-01-08 10:00:22 · answer #3 · answered by guitar teacher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He told those who followed Him that in order to be true disciples, they must love Him supremely. He did not ever suggest that men should have bitter hatred in their hearts toward father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters. Rather He was emphasizing that love for Christ must be so great that all other loves are hatred by comparison (Matthew 10:37). No consideration of family ties must ever be allowed to deflect a disciple from a pathway of full obedience to the Lord.
And, actually, the most difficult part of this first term of discipleship is found in the words “even his own life.” It is not only that we must love our relatives less; we must hate our own lives also!
Instead of living self-centered lives, we must live Christ-centered lives. Instead of asking how every action will affect ourselves, we must be careful to assess how it will affect Christ and His glory.
Considerations of personal comfort and safety must be subordinated to the great task of glorifying Christ and making Him known. The Savior’s words are absolute. He said that if we did not love Him supremely, more than our family and more than our own lives, we could not be His disciples. There is no half-way measure.
2007-01-08 09:57:41 · answer #4 · answered by srprimeaux 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, you're not supposed to take this literally. Jesus means that you have to hate your family IN COMPARISON to how you love him. you're admiration for the Lord shouldn't even compare to the love of your mother, brother, etc.
2007-01-08 09:55:34 · answer #5 · answered by ali_jo_91 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Love less..not hate
Mature in God's word..smile
misew
miseo
mis-eh'-o
from a primary misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less
DUDE..!! your reading the english translation of the Greek..!!!
2007-01-08 09:54:53 · answer #6 · answered by Royal Racer Hell=Grave © 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No but you put Jesus first. All things will pass away, but Jesus will always be.
2007-01-08 09:52:55 · answer #7 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, but you have to love God and Jesus more than anyone else.
2007-01-08 09:55:54 · answer #8 · answered by Born Again Christian 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is saying that GOD comes first in your life> To follow Jesus, one has to submit his/her life to him.
2007-01-08 09:52:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it doesn't say that, it says "despise", which is totally different.
In this context it means "To regard as unworthy of one's interest or concern"
2007-01-08 09:54:05 · answer #10 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋