And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
All Commentaries on Luke 14:25 Go To Luke 14
Symeon the New Theologian
AD 1022
I heard his holy voice speaking to all without distinction. “He who does not leave father and mother and brothers and all that he possesses and take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” I learned from Scripture and from experience itself that the cross comes at the end for no other reason than that we must endure trials and tribulations and finally voluntary death itself. In times past, when heresies prevailed, many chose death through martyrdom and various tortures. Now, when we through the grace of Christ live in a time of profound and perfect peace, we learn for sure that cross and death consist in nothing else than the complete putting to death of selfwill. He who pursues his own will, however slightly, will never be able to observe the law of Christ the Savior.
