I Would Trample Upon My Mother
To be a true disciple of Christ, one must prioritize Him above all relationships and possessions.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the radical commitment required to follow Christ, illustrating that true discipleship demands prioritizing love for Christ above all earthly relationships, including family. He references Jerome's powerful declaration that one must be willing to 'trample upon' familial ties to reach Christ, underscoring the necessity of placing Christ first in our lives. Brooks argues that any love for others that surpasses our love for Christ indicates a lack of true devotion to Him.
Text
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father
and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and
sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be My
disciple." Luke 14:26
Surely they do not truly love Christ--who love
anything more than Christ.
It was a notable saying of Jerome, "If my father should
hang upon me, my brethren should press round about
me, and my mother should stand before me--I would
throw down my father, I would break through my
brethren, and I would trample upon my mother
--to come to Christ."
Sermon Outline
- The Cost of Discipleship
- The Example of Jerome
- A willingness to sacrifice all for Christ
- The importance of prioritizing Christ
Key Quotes
“If my father should hang upon me, my brethren should press round about me, and my mother should stand before me--I would throw down my father, I would break through my brethren, and I would trample upon my mother--to come to Christ.” — Thomas Brooks
“Surely they do not truly love Christ--who love anything more than Christ.” — Thomas Brooks
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be My disciple.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize that the love of Christ is greater than all other loves in your life.
- Be willing to sacrifice all for Christ, even if it means difficult relationships or circumstances.
- Prioritize Christ above family and other relationships in your life.