“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, and even his own life - he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27 (CSB)
Wow! When I first read this verse I was like, how could I hate my own family?
1But Jesus emphasizes that the cost of discipleship is high; those who desire to enter the kingdom ought to reflect deeply on the sacrifice that is necessary to do so. He also warned sternly that any who would use family responsibilities as an excuse to abandon a radical commitment to Him.
Jesus did not suggest dishonoring parents or neglecting family responsibilities. Love for Jesus should be so great that the love of family would seem like hatred in comparison. Sometimes to follow Christ means giving up even the most precious earthly relationships.
Ultimately, you must be willing to lay down your life for Christ; since to bear your own cross was an expression indicating death. Only those who have committed themselves to Christ and who have persevered over the long term are truly saved.
Genuine believers give up ownership and control of their lives and possessions and instead, become God’s steward of these. Christ must be set above everyone and everything in a person’s life. Nothing less will do. While the cost of following Christ is high, the cost of not following Him is higher still.
Also in Luke 9:23-26, “Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it. For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and that of the Father and the holy angels.”
2One who follows Christ must take up his cross daily, which is to be lived out daily and in every way.
So, what does it mean to pursue Jesus?
I love how Dr. Charles Stanley describes this.
“Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him.”
Dr. Charles Stanley
1Holman Bible Publishers. (2018). Luke. In The study Bible for women: Christian standard bible (pp. 1319–1329). essay.
2Holman Bible Publishers. (2018). Luke. In The study Bible for women: Christian standard bible (pp. 1319–1329). essay.
Love the message today