Wait, What Did He Just Say

​"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)
The word “hate” is a little harsh but I do not think that Jesus really meant an emotion that strong. Why would translators use that word if the meaning was a little less spiteful? The strong form of the word hate means to have an intense or passionate dislike for someone or something. We can use the word despise which is less intense. Jesus uses a negative form of “hate” when He tells us not to hate (despise) our enemies but love them. So are we to hate our parents but love our enemies??? Well….
In ancient Hebrew the word “hating” meant something like “loving less” or “loving in a less significant way”. The translation was from Greek and the individuals apparently did not pay attention to ancient Hebrew traditions or ways of life in speech. Jesus is thereby telling that we should still love our family, specifically our parents, but saying also that we should love Jesus more. Our full commitment should be towards Jesus. He is whom we should be more passionate for in our daily life. That would lead us to living a more Godly life. But where are our parents in all this?
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” This is the fifth commandment and the turning point in the Law of God. After this, the last five are morality and ethics but that is another talk. So it takes four Commandments to get to the respect for the earthly family. WOW!! 
                Families were a tighter unit than they are today. Yes we still have some areas that whole families live in but today we have families that live in all parts of the country and rarely talk. This is not what God meant. God wants to be part of the close knit family unit by having a personal relationship with us through Jesus Christ. This closeness creates the desire to live a godly life on this earth in preparation for our life in heaven. Even though we have parents and a family God is our number one priority even above our own selves!!!

​Love the Lord our God more than anything or anyone. We owe our very lives to the Creator of the whole universe and I for one really do not want to get on His bad side. I fear (respect) the Lord my God and will follow Him all the days of my life. Though I live here on this earth I am not of this place; my heart, soul, and mind belong to my Father in Heaven. Where He leads me I will go. 
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