Question
In Luke 14:26 it appears that Jesus is instructing us that we must hate ourselves and our families to be a true disciples of Christ. This I know cannot be the true point. Do you feel that this is a simple translation error?
Answer
No, there is no mistranslation here. In this passage, Luke 14:25-35, Jesus is warning those who would attempt to follow Him what it would cost them in true service to Him. They, like we, should not approach being His disciple in a casual or half-hearted manner, for He demands our supreme loyalty and obedience to His word, above all other interests, including self interest.
Does He then mean that we literally hate and mistreat parents, spouse and self? No, for we have too many passages that teach otherwise. Eph. 6:1-4, Col. 3:20, Eph. 5:22-33.
What He means is, we should place loyalty to Him above all and if parents, spouse or our own desires tempt us to disobey Him, then they must be rejected, as if we hate them. However, insofar as Christ calls upon us to act toward others and self, then we should follow these things based on our loyalty toward Him.
By Gary Hunt
