Hi ___,
Luke
14:26 (NKJV) reads:?
"If anyone comes to Me and does not
hate his father and mother, wife and children,
brothers and sisters, yes, and
his own life also, he cannot be My disciple."
Yes,
some versions twist the translation to read like the New Century Version (NCV)
and Good News (GNT) do: "If anyone comes to me but loves his
father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters -- or even life -- more
than me, he cannot be my follower."
These include the God's Word Translation (GWT) which states "who are not
ready to abandon..."; New Living (NLT) which explains, "you must hate
everyone else by comparison"; and The Message, "Anyone who comes to
me but refuses to let go of ...."
The Orthodox Jewish Bible has an interesting take.? It
leaves the word "hate" in the text but adds a parenthetical
explanation that reads "[hyperbolically, in comparison to Moshiach (Messiah)]".
The problem with all of these is that the actual Greek word used
is?μισ?ω (miséō), which means "to hate, pursue
with hatred, detest," although it can also mean "to love
less."? Matthew Henry explains that people must be able to quit that
which was dead to become a true follower who is weaned from and dead to
creature-comforts. A disciple will not be sincere, constant and persevering
unless he or she loves Christ more than anything else in the world and is
willing to part with loved "people or things" either as a sacrifice
(e.g., like a martyr) or a temptation.? Per Matthew Henry, the idea is not
to hate the persons of our loved ones, but rather to lose our comfort and
satisfaction in them in preference for love for Christ.?
One must leave everything behind to follow Him.
Wiersbe's Commentary points out that Luke 14:26 was spoken to large
crowds, most of whom were interested in miracles, not spiritual things. Jesus
therefore?deliberately?preached a sermon that thinned the
ranks.? A disciple of Christ must love Him supremely, even more than we
love our own flesh and blood.? Wiersbe also makes the point that hate
doesn't suggest positive antagonism, but rather "to love less" (see Gen
29:30-31; Mal 1:2-3; Mt 10:37)?and "death to self". "Our
love for Christ must be so strong that all other love is like hatred in
comparison."??
Now look at the very next verse, Luke 14:27,?"And
whoever does not bear his cross, and follow me, cannot be my
disciple."??
Jesus then adds three parables to demonstrate why costly demands
are made on His followers: the man building a tower; the king fighting a war;
and salt losing its flavour.? The builder and the king symbolise Christ;
neither will be successful unless their followers are totally devoted to the
task.?
Taken in context, Jesus was shaking the people in the crowd
up!? The word "hate" was deliberately selected because it is
"strong and forceful" and forced people to stop and think!?
Those not wholly committed to Him fell by the wayside, just as He
intended.? His words were "fit for purpose" and watering them
down to make them more palatable to casual readers is diametrically opposed to
His intention and purpose.
Thanks for the email.
You have received this email because you have enrolled for this course through U3A Brisbane for Term 4, 2021, OR you are a member of the R09 Discussion Group.? Please contact Ray at ray.sarlin@... if you wish to be removed from the mailing list.
Blessings,
Ray
