Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as his own life, he can't be my disciple. -Luke 14:25-26I found this message to be interesting, and it also contradicts what is typically portrayed as Jesus' message of peace, and 'loving thy neighbor'. Jesus wants people to love their annoying neighbors, but to 'hate' the real people whom they are suppose to love the most. This shows that Jesus and the Old-Testament god may be more similar then many would like to admit -- both are jealous gods that spread a message of hate.
If this isn't bad enough, Jesus wants people to hate their "own life" -- perhaps 'believers' are more devout followers of Christ than many give them credit for. I see many "devout Christians" that hate their families, that hate everyone and anyone whom they are suppose to love, these people hate life in general. Why else would they surrender the enjoyment of life, gamble it away, for the small chance that their misery can be extended for an eternity.
I wonder if these people (the ones being referred to) are full of hatred because they feel it is expected of them, or if it is just the coldness of their hearts. It's probably, typically, the latter one would imagine. Jesus promoted the idea of freewill -- these are the kinds of people Jesus wants -- so the people that are just nasty by their own freewill would be greatest of all. So, if these sorts of people are what make-up Heaven, then one must ponder how all that fire and brimstone can stay up in the clouds.
Maybe passage is victim of a mis-translation? It seems too out of character, even for Jesus as a man and not a god. A different way to look at this migh be: only 'those who are dis-satisfied with their lives' or 'those who have no family to be responsible for' can be his disciples.
ReplyDeleteNot that I want to bend over backwards to try and defend what Jesus might have said. Just trying to add to the discussion.
Well, this all what 'Jesus says' is found within scripture. Which was written nearly half a century after his supposed death. The scripture I use is as reflective of Jesus' character as any other. This is no mistranslation either, go look up other ones, you will find a similar result.
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