Did Jesus Really Say That? Luke 14:25-33

Did Jesus really say, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and even life itself cannot be my disciple"? And if so, what did he mean? First, did he say it? Maybe. Scripture records it as such. Did he mean it? Well, we don't believe in a literal translation of being called to hate anyone. No, we are called to Love God and Love our neighbour as ourself. What Jesus is getting at is that being a disciple asks everything of us and can cost us relationships and indeed, our very life. Jesus stresses the cost of following him and ensures his followers know the cost before signing on. And of course, whatever the cost here, we believe God makes it all worthwhile.