Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first and foremost. A true disciple loves God above all else and is willing to forsake all for Jesus Christ. Jesus insists that his disciples give him the loyalty that is only due to God, a loyalty which is higher than that which is due to spouse or kin. It is possible that family and friends can become our enemies, if the thought of them keeps us from doing what we know God wants us to do. Love and respect for family members is a very high value for the Christian but there are even higher values which may take precedence over them. Filial piety and parental authority can be very inward-looking, too centred on just this group of people. Christianity is outward-looking, and a Christian realises that there are people out there whose needs are even prior to those of one's family. Jesus, as the word of God, stands for a level of truth, integrity and love, which is the ultimate measure of all that I do and say.