The Command to Hate Relatives

Christianity has been viewed as a religion of peace, the crusades notwithstanding. Its founder was named the Prince of Peace and angels announced His birth as a peace bringing event. How, then, can we reconcile the fact that Matthew 10:34-37 and Luke 12:49-53 not only say Jesus did not come to bring peace but a sword, but also that Christians must hate their close relatives to be His disciples? He even says there that He would set a man against his father and a daughter against her mother. How must we understand such statements?

Commenting on Matthew 10:34-37 William Barclay says, “Nowhere is the sheer honesty of Jesus more vividly displayed than it is [displayed] here. Here he sets the Christian demand at its most demanding and at its most uncompromising [level].” Here Jesus tells disciples exactly what demands of discipleship are, if they accept His call to follow. He prepares them for a wide variety of responses to the gospel, and their espousal of it, from family members and friends. Family members would turn against each other. Was Jesus speaking the truth? Haven’t we seen that kind of reaction? Thus, contemporary disciples must also be alert to ensure their priorities are straight. This will doubtlessly involve a reevaluation of friendships and family relationships.

In Luke 14:26, Jesus intensifies the dilemma saying, “If anyone comes to me and hate not father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” “Hate” is a very strong word. What did Jesus mean? Must we literally hate family members and friends who believe differently from us to fulfill our discipleship mission? To hate means to love less. Jesus here invites disciples to love human relationships less than they love Him. As the “pearl of great price,” all relationships and possessions pale in value when compared to Him. Consequently, disciples are to ensure that nothing interferes with or transcends their relationship with Christ. The veracity of this notion is confirmed by the very words of Christ Himself. In Matthew 10:37 He says those who love father or mother, son or daughter, more than me is not worthy of me. The point is that we must love these relation-ships less and Jesus more. Nothing must stand between us and the Savior.

What is your position, my friend? Can you make that kind of commitment? Is there anything in this world that is more valuable to you than the One who sacrificed Himself on a tree for your salvation and so ensure that you might have everlasting life? Think on these things!

Prayer and Fasting

In some of our churches today, not much is heard about the Biblical injunction and the Christian discipline of Prayer and Fasting. Yet, it was a source of spiritual strength to others earlier. From Jesus’ own example and the disciple’s experience we see the power of prayer. Jesus spent whole nights in prayer prior to major events. The disciples emulated Him and spent much time in prayer and soul searching prior to Pentecost—the Early Rain. Shouldn’t we be following them as we prepare for the Latter Rain? Let’s not forget, either, what Jesus said at the foot of the mount that day—some problems can only be solved through prayer and fasting.

Perhaps, this is an inconvenient exercise in our modern sophisticated, fast paced, space age generation but could this also be included in our denying ourselves to follow? The last days are approaching and only those who are fit will survive. This is an integral part of discipleship. Are revival and reformation needed?

Disciples and Apostles

It is surprising how widespread is the belief that Jesus had only twelve disciples. Yet from scripture we hear not only of twelve disciples but 70, 72, 120 and even 500. Perhaps, the problem has to do with the fact that while the ancients did not seem to have placed much emphasis on such numbers, the Gospels sometimes referred to those around Jesus as the twelve disciples. Careful examination reveals, however, that the Gospel writers did not expect us to limit the disciples to twelve.

Mark 3:13ff implies that much. It says that one day Jesus called to Him those whom He would. It is evident that they must have been called from a larger group. From the group He called, He chose twelve. this therefore reveals to us at least three groups of disciples. What is of essence here, however, is what He did with the twelve. He ordained them to be apostles. What is the difference between the two groups?

Apostles were first disciples before they were appointed and ordained as apostles. While disciples are followers of Jesus, apostles are this and more. The Greek word implies that they were ones who were sent out or away from the Master to be His ambassadors, messengers or representatives to proclaim or share His message. This means that while all of us are disciples, only some are appointed as apostles. Both groups were called and received training but apostles received more specialized training. The important thing, however, is to accept our assigned task by the Master and to fulfill our duties and/or obligations to the very best of our abilities. Will you? By God's grace I will!

Diversity and Discipleship

Many of us have not given much thought to the diversity that was reflected in the ministry of Jesus. In addition to the ethnic diversity that we have seen in this week's lesson, one can also view the fact that Simon of Cyrene, who helped Jesus carry the cross, was from North Africa and is considered to be black. Moreover, diversity is reflected in the fact that he had females among his disciples. Also, there were people from diverse professions among the twelve--Peter, James and John were fishermen; Matthew was a tax collector; and Judas knew something about accounting and/or business since he was the treasurer of the Jesus circle. Diversity was also reflected from another perspective. The second Simon is given a designation to differentiate him from Simon Peter. This Simon is said to be a Caananite which means that he was a Zealot.

All this tells me that Jesus was very inclusive. Are we as inclusive in our outlook and practice in this the 21st century? Are there groups and/or peoples that we are excluding from our circles? If so are we true disciples and fit citizens of the kingdom? Let' truly follow in His steps, my friends!