Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.
– Luke 14:25-27
The translators of today’s Gospel (Luke 14:25-33) chose the word “hate” but our understanding of the word today is somewhat different than the understanding of the Greek word in the 1st century. In the Greek/Hebrew understanding, it is not quite as harsh and addresses a question of which do you love more. Additionally, the questions posed to the crowd are questions about identity and the cost of discipleship. The question of Christ is, “Are you able to love me more than all other things in your life, including life itself?”
Preaching Question
Is the bar set too high?
Other Questions to Ponder
How is your personal identity connected with family, possessions, and your work and hobbies?
Does being a Christian have an impact on your personal identity?
How does Christ’s call for us to love him above all other things in our life affect your personal identity?
