If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:26 and 27
BSB
Read Luke 14 in a modern translation BSB
Read the whole chapter (Luke 14)
Hate, or love less?
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother: so reads the King James Version. The modern translation on this site is just as blunt: does not hate his father and mother. It jars. Neither translation softens the word, but what Jesus means is: love them less than him.
In Hebrew and Aramaic a choice was often expressed in sharp contrasts. In the story of Jacob, Leah is said to be 'hated', while he only loved her less than Rachel. Jesus isn't asking for coldness in your family. He is asking for first place. Whoever gives him that often learns to love others better.
Question for today
Who or what has first place in my life?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you ask for first place in my life. Help me to give it to you, and let my love for the people around me flow from you. Amen.
My prayer
With your own thought · only on this deviceOne of the 491 words of Jesus on this site, from the temple to Revelation. See all the words in order →