How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #4
Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." (NRSV 9:61-62)
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (NRSV 9:61-62)
There's a name in our culture for guys who abandon their family without saying goodbye: Deadbeat Dads. Try not to lose the punch of what Jesus demands here. Following him requires—at least from the family's perspective—becoming a deadbeat.
Quote #5
Then Peter said, "Look, we have left our homes and followed you." And he said to them, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life." (NRSV 18:28-30)
Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. (KJV 18:28-30)
According to Jesus, abandoning your family has rewards both in the present (you get a family in your fellow followers) and in the future (you live forever!). Looks like Bella isn't the only one who's trading mom and dad for life everlasting.
Quote #6
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. (NRSV 21:16)
And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. (KJV 21:16)
Even after Jesus is long gone, he'll be causing familial strife. Family members will be reporting each other to the authorities for being followers of Jesus—which, by the way, is a crime. Sound like anything that's gone down in modern history?