P ♰ C

by Jean Allen

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me;” The Greek word for ‘worthy’ in this text is ‘axios’ and axios translates generally into what we expect: ‘fitting or suitable’. But another definition that fits this text even better is: “of equal weight or value’.

Are you of equal weight or value as Jesus? If you immediately say, “Of course not!” then I ask you, “Why not?” We are absolutely called to have an equal weight with Jesus. Paul tells us in Corinthians that we have the mind of Christ in order to see things from his perspective and in Philippians he says, “In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.” Just before that, he says, “Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, so that nobody thinks of his own interest first, but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead.”

Being of equal weight or value as Jesus means not thinking of your own interests first. Jesus isn’t talking about rejecting your families and becoming a lonely, self-flagellating individual in order to be worthy of his love. He’s asking us to be of equal weight and value as him. Jesus didn’t allow the members of his family, the ones who thought he was crazy mad, to hold him back from his mission but we know he loved and cared about his Mother, Mary. Jesus didn’t seek a comfortable lifestyle and surround himself with material goods but he did surround himself with those who loved and supported his mission. He didn’t seek out crosses to bear; he sought out those who were already bearing heavy crosses and tried to alleviate their burdens.

He simply asks that we share his mind and his heart. Anything less than that makes us of unequal weight, just people involved in stuff that does not further the Kingdom and not people who share in his perspective, a perspective of love and compassion. When we share in his mind and heart, those we touch and who touch us back receive more than we give; they receive the rewards of prophets and righteous people…no matter who they are.

It’s the Kingdom economy.