(October 3, 2013 at 10:50 am)Searching4truth Wrote: I do see 'taking your cross' as metaphorical, but the verse in question isn't metaphorical by any means. What if you choose not to tithe because you have to pay your daughters medical bill or miss church because your mom is in the hospital or cancel a community service project to bail your brother out of jail. What if youre in a position to choose between denying god and saving the life of a child? It has happened. What of you abandon your family cause they're not of the same belief system as you but you're a hypocrite within the church? I don't think it's hyperbole. There's no need for Jesus to speak with exaggeration in this example.Jesus addresses items similar to those you mention, and in the way that you would prefer, so it seems reasonable to take the hate reference as hyperbole.
Matt 5
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matt 15
3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
