Jesus speaks to a large crowd whose overly enthusiastic zeal may prevent them from seeing the serious nature of what following him requires. This journey toward Jerusalem does not parade to the castle; it processes to the cross. Following Jesus is no easy path, so the word of teaching cannot be easy either.
In Jesus’ time, the word hate did not carry today’s meaning of an angry outburst. It meant simply to turn away from or to release from something. He is not instructing the people to quit loving and caring for family, but he does want them to understand clearly that following him can bring to light competing loyalties. In the face of the complexities of relationships that clamor for our attention, following Jesus must remain primary. The decision to place our relationship with Jesus above all other networks and allegiances is never easy. We will find that the primacy of that relationship with Jesus can actually help define our other life commitments.
As a teen, when my parents asked me to do something I often said, “I have some other things to do first.” Needless to say, my parents did not find this an acceptable answer. They would quickly inform me that their instruction was first and foremost, and the other things would have to wait.
Jesus asks us to decide whether he can be the primary allegiance in our life. It is a timely word of challenge for a frantically paced culture. We want to have and do it all. However, genuine discipleship is not an afterthought; it is a way of life.