As a child I remember being confused by the words of Jesus in Luke 14:26-27: “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. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Should I hate my father and mother?
What did Jesus mean? The passage in Mark 3, specifically verses 20-21 and 31-35, sheds light on this question. The context of Mark 3 shows Jesus creating His new kingdom beginning by calling the twelve. It also shows that his followers make up a new family system. They are brothers and sisters because of Christ.
As Jesus taught in Capernaum, the crowds so rushed around Him that He and the disciples could not even eat. Into that wild context, Mary and the brothers of Jesus made the 30 mile trek from Nazareth to “take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’ ” They obviously missed the point about Jesus. They didn’t see the demoniac clothed and in his right mind; they saw only the crowds and the unusual events.
When someone told Jesus that his mother and brothers were calling for Him, he asked as a teaching opportunity, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” (Mark 3: 33). “Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother’ “(Mark 3: 34-35).
Jesus meant that the relationship with God must take priority over all other relationships. No relationship can usurp or overshadow that relationship.
Jesus meant that doing God’s will should overshadow merely human relationships. Not everyone who calls Lord, Lord will enter into the kingdom. Those who do the will of the Father in heaven belong to heaven. Our real relationship will be shown by our obedience.
Jesus meant that in comparison with love for God all other relationships will seem as hatred. In Hebrew thinking (which is at the background of the Greek words) love and hate are used for comparison purposes. For example, God loved Jacob but hated Esau (Malachi 1:3). In reality God blessed Esau but in comparison to the blessing given Jacob, God hated Esau. In reality, Jesus treated His mother with tenderness, providing for her care from the cross.
Jesus meant that our love and devotion for Him would be radical in nature. God calls us to give our whole selves in obedience to God. All other devotions must pale in comparison to never ending love for God.
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2 Responses
Good one. These micro facts deal with dilemma’s and seeming contradictions of the Bible that the simple are led astray by and the ignorant try to use as excuses to invalidate. The mature in Christ know there is an answer but the young in Christ can be dismayed. I can’t absorb this type of info fast enough so that I can share it as needed. And THIS is the “rubber hits the road” application to life that is needed. Not sociology class, but painful truth that sets us free is to be served out and consumed.
thank you for this.
Another well driven nail of understanding into the construction of God’s House. Thank You!!!
Good comment Jim.
The spirit and our souls are Grieved, even unto death, when our Brothers and Sisters devour our lives and rob God of His due, Romans 12:1 – 12:21.
Yesterday God showed up in the Doctor’s office. The bloody infected fluid collected there is being cultured. The RN who essentially said I was wasting her time & continued to mess up was discharged. The test I insisted on and the Doctor ordered over the RN’s wisdom and failure Tuesday had an INR reading of 8.0 which was confirmed also in the lab. The target is in the 2 range. The new RN who administered the INR intake was a delight in countenance and professionalism.
Thank you for your prayers, fuel of Heaven.