NOBODY BUT JESUS

The Jewish Christians of the early Church often were rejected by their families when they became Christians and united themselves with Gentiles in the body of Christ (see Eph 3:6). The Jewish Christians were sometimes betrayed by their family members, handed over to the authorities, and put to death. Thus, if Jewish Christians did not turn their backs on their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, sisters, and their very selves, they could not be disciples of Jesus (Lk 14:26). However, if anyone loses his life (Lk 9:24) and his family for Jesus' sake, he will receive "a hundred times as many homes, brothers and sisters, mothers, children and property — and persecution besides — and in the age to come, everlasting life" (Mk 10:30).

The Lord commands us to love the members of our family. If we don't provide for the needs of our family members, we have denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers (1 Tm 5:8). However, our personal relationship with Jesus is in a class by itself. Jesus should be first in our lives. Our relationships, even with family members, are a very, very distant second. Our bond with Jesus is supreme (The Catechism, 1619).