I recently started reading the book, Radical by David Platt for an upcoming Bible study that I'm leading at school. My wife has read it (very recently), which means that I have read it by association...since she generally quotes entire books to me if she likes them. I won't lie, sometimes I daydream, but everything she quoted from this book was confirmation to the truth that God has been revealing in me lately through my own study of scripture. I'm very excited about leading this study with some of my co-workers. Especially since they are teachers who have a great opportunity to impact and impart to the students at our school.
I've read chapter 1 and outlined the points I want to focus on, written down some verses I'd like to throw into the mix, etc. Everything was set, but there was one issue: the explanation of one of the scriptures just didn't sit well within my spirit. Now, don't get me wrong, Platt hit the bull's eye so far in everything I know about this book. I'm so glad he has the guts to say some of the things he says. Christians definitely should be living much more radically for Jesus. The issue wasn't necessarily with Platt. It was the verse and it's widespread interpretation. The "commonly accepted, yet rarely lived" interpretation that is even defending by the Greek words used in it.
Luke 14:26 "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."
Hate. Hmmm. Taken at face value, this can be pretty hard to live up to. It also seem quite strange for the 'prince of peace,' the 'loving father,' the 'light of life' to say something so contrary to his central message of love. We think of the commandments that tell us to love our neighbors. Or the verse that tells us to honor our father and mother. Or the fact that Paul told the Romans to love one another with brotherly love. This can seem quite contradictory.
Now, traditionally, the word Hate is understood in this verse by the Greek word used in the text, "miseo." A word that means, in the Greek, to love less. So because of this, people have assumed that this verse means that our love should be so great for Jesus that our love for those other people looks like hate. There is almost a full measure of truth to this statement. We definitely are to love the Lord with ALL our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We are supposed to long for His return. But I still couldn't help thinking that there was more to this than that. Why would Jesus have drawn such a comparison when He could have communicated it a different way. Jesus wasn't telling a parable here, he was simply speaking to the people about the cost of discipleship.
Well, my journey (of several hours.. not days) consisted of researching, a la web, words used in this verse, translations, greek meanings, cultural context, yadda yadda until I discovered an explanation that made sense theologically, biblically and also just seemed to feel right. Now, please forgive me if this dude is some type of hypocritical heretic, I didn't really research him. I just read the article and liked the article and its contents regarding this verse. I was able to get insight into the meaning of this scripture, and also feel that the Holy Spirit confirmed it within me through peace of mind. You can read it HERE.
Here is a summary: It means just was it says. And, it doesn't conflict with scripture when placed in context.
Sorry if the summary should have been more elaborate, but I didn't want to sound redundant and knew I'd be "summarizing" it again as I explained what I have learned, and now want to communicate with you.
Keeping in mind that Jesus would have been speaking to Jews who honor the Torah, (this huge thing coming up is a quote from the article) "We need to realize just how shocking this statement would have been in Yeshua’s culture. The rabbis taught that the Lord put the obligation of honoring one’s father and mother before honoring Himself. They considered honoring parents one of the great obligations, equal with honoring God. But there is one rabbinic comment that might explain Yeshua’s remark within the Jewish context. It is a rabbinic teaching on Leviticus 19:3. “Even though I have admonished you regarding fearing [your] father, if he shall say to you ‘Profane the Sabbath,’ do not listen to him.” Clearly, the requirement to not honor parents or anyone else depends on the condition that these people are encouraging Torah disobedience. What if Yeshua’s remark is taken in this sense? Does He claim that He is greater than the temple, greater than the Sabbath, greater than Moses? Wouldn’t this rabbinic exception apply if relatives were instructing you to disregard His status as Messiah and Son?"
Considering that he would have been speaking to people who were "under the law," it makes sense he would communicate the truth to them in a way that they could grasp the severity of his identity. Jesus is more holy that the Sabbath because he was there when it was proclaimed. Jesus was saying to them, unless you love me to the point that you are willing to reject, with all of you, those who are dearest to you, you cannot be my disciple. Your love should be so great, that if anyone asks of you to 'profane the Sabbath' (which means to break the covenant - in this case the new covenant with Christ), you are to reject them with all of you. This breech, if you will, of the law is protected under the 'loving Jesus like you're supposed to' clause. Jesus knew that most of, if not all, the families of those he was talking to, would not accept this teaching. And he needed them to know that following him was costly. "Who builds a city without first counting the costs?"
This revelation of scripture has been both joyful and a little painful. The thought of rejecting those I love is a hard pill to swallow. But my allegiance to Christ and my citizenship of Heaven is to be the most important commitment of my life on this earth. But, there is also freedom in truth. To know that my God is for me, no matter who is against me. To know that God wants us to succeed. While walking in His perfect will, we cannot fail. Oh, how I long for my God in Heaven. I want my life to be a pleasing sacrifice to the creator of all things. To be His disciple and to learn from His word, with revelation through His spirit. The question we must ask ourselves each day is, "Am I THAT committed?"
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