Affirming Denials

Greetings All,

Our scripture this morning comes from John chapter Eight.

NRS

John 8:48 The Jews answered him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" ⁴⁹ Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the judge.

This piece of scripture comes amidst an argument/debate that the Jews and Jesus are having regarding His identity.  In their frustration the Jews call Him two names in this passage, Samaritan and Possessed.  Basically they are equating these two labels as both being aligned with the devil rather than being aligned with the Lord.  For them it is just as bad to be a Samaritan as it is to be demon possessed, but Jesus does not share their belief that these two are basically the same.  Jesus only responds to the accusation of being possessed. 

He states, "I am not possessed, I honor my Father!"  In His response we see that he too believes that to be possessed is to be aligned with the devil, even though it isn't your fault, and he assures them that this is not the case.  Do note though that He does not respond to the accusation that He is a Samaritan, for to deny that like He denies the possession would be to affirm their belief about Samaritans.  Jesus throughout the Gospels acts out God's love for the Samaritans time and time again.  Here is an often overlooked exchange where once again He affirms God's love for them.  His denial would have affirmed the Jews belief that the Samaritans were basically aligned with the devil or at best out of God's favor, but His silence not only suggests their belief is wrong but also affirms God's love for them.

In our lives do we pay attention to the accusations we deny?  In denying an accusation are we affirming someones incorrect belief? In denying an accusation are we affirming someones prejudice or hatred?  Sometimes what we do not say is just as important as what we do say.  Jesus' denial of possession affirms two truths, one that He is not possessed and two that possession is out of line alignment with the Father.  Had he denied being a Samaritan He would have affirmed the truth that he is not, but equally He would have affirmed their false belief that Samaritans are out of God's favor.  Let us covenant today that we will pay attention to the beliefs behind the words to make sure we do not make a falsehood affirming denials.

Your brother in Christ,
Faron