How do we know that we must prioritize Christ over family?

The doctrine that Christ should be prioritized over family is grounded in Jesus' words in Luke 14:26, where He states, 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.' While this is a strong expression, it does not advocate for literal hatred but underscores the necessity of placing Christ above all earthly ties when they interfere with our devotion to Him. J.C. Ryle emphasizes that familial opposition can often be a significant hurdle for faith. Thus, true love for Christ manifests in a willingness to endure familial dissent for the sake of faithfulness to Him.