Luke 14:26 NIV
If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.

This verse has perplexed commentators for centuries. Jesus, who was Love and commanded love…and honor for parents—how could He say this?

Most commentators say the same thing: that Jesus meant by comparison to love for Him, it must be as far away as hate for these family ties. They interpret it as a matter of comparing loves.

But the word used is unmistakable. The word hate is ‘miseo’ and it means to “hate, detest and even persecute.” All the major translations have to use the word ‘hate’ and it is called “an old and very strong word” in the Greek. The word cannot be softened. The Holy Spirit wrote this statement as shocking to our loyalties and bondages to family. But it cannot be used as an excuse for malice, bitterness or ill treatment of these family ties.

The heart of this scripture is: “If anyone comes to Me…” Come to Christ and over time, this mandate unfolds to the disciple. The one who ‘comes to Him’ in relationship and surrender will face this challenge from the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit can orchestrate the timing and reveal the delicate obedience to this radical loyalty to Christ. There is a way to see this command in scripture…