Great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and addressed them, "If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple…
In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple. (Lk 14:25-33)
Jesus is journeying towards Jerusalem from Galilee. He is sure of his destination. He is also sure of what awaits him there in Jerusalem. As he turns back he sees great crowds following him. He is amazed at the sight of such a following. He wonders at their intention and their goals. He wants to make sure of it.
He tells them that they should not give importance to relatives. His journeying is not going to make a human family. His journey is not to build a society. (no one should follow with the intention of building a family with relatives). The followers should even hate the future. They should not bother about their own life.
The followers should be ready to carry the cross. The journey is not going to end up in a celebration of a great gathering. Discipleship is in carrying the cross. Cross, at the time of Jesus, signified death, loneliness, rejection, insult etc. The discipleship also meant giving up wealth and possession. Yes, discipleship meant: no relations, no possessions and only cross.
