Reading Luke 14 today,
"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:" Luke 14:25 (NIV).
I had to stop there for a moment. Jesus was gathering a following. Large crowds were actually traveling with him. You might even say he was becoming a celebrity at this point.
Yet what does he say to them? Does he start to appease the crowd to keep them following him? That's what a lot of famous people do. They don't want to lose the popularity they've achieved. Let's read on and see what Jesus says to them.
"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. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. vv26-27
Now obviously a Jesus who commands us to love one another is not telling them to hate. He is using an extreme statement to make a point. Much like we do when we say something like, "I'd rather die than go out in that cold." Essentially he is saying that love and loyalty to himself must be so far above even our families that it can appear as hate in comparison.
He goes on further to say, "those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." vv33
I have to wonder, how many kept following after that?
After another hard teaching, Jesus did lose many disciples. When he turned and asked the twelve if they were going to leave him too, this was Peter's response.
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68 (NIV)
Following Jesus is not easy, but his way is the only one that leads to eternal life.
