Now great crowds were traveling with him. So he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25-27)
Jesus’ words are very hard here, but I think he wanted to know, “Are you truly following me? Or are you just tagging along? Are you truly interested in joining my kingdom or not?”
That was one of the points of his parable earlier. People initially showed interest in a man’s banquet (symbolizing God’s Kingdom), but ultimately, they valued other things more. (16-20)
What’s the main difference between a disciple and one who simply tags along? Disciples love Jesus so much that they value him and his kingdom over everything else: their families, their possessions, even their very lives.
Jesus, of course, isn’t literally asking us to hate our families or to sell everything we have. But he is asking us, “What am I worth to you? Do I have top priority in your life?”
Jesus loved us so much that he gave up everything for us. Will we value him as much? Do we believe that if we do, that he is good, and we will ultimately find life, not lose it?
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live.–Isaac Watts, Chris Tomlin
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 