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Author: Martin Steinbereithner, from the Servants of the Word, an international, ecumenical brotherhood of men living single for the Lord.

“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.” (Luke 14:26)

Now Jesus has gone too far! Does he really expect me to hate my family? Doesn't the Bible say in another place that we need to honor our parents? The Greek word can mean hate, which we associate with an emotion, but also “esteem less” or “put second”. Jesus is not seeking to have us break with our family. Our parents and siblings are really important, in fact. That is why he warns us: “Don’t let their influence, their approval keep you from following me.”

There is nothing theoretical about this. In fact, there are many examples of people turning their backs on Jesus because their family and friends did not approve of them. Sometimes our love for him means disappointing others whom we love. Pray for them. Is there a relationship which threatens to pull you away from Christ? Offer that relationship up to him. That’s what “hating” means.

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.