May 24, 2023
Forgiveness is Only Found in God
“The Jews answered and said to Him, ‘Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?’ Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.’” John 8:48-51 (NASB)
Racism still occurs in America today. Because we live in a sinful world, sin happens. Man is the root cause. He is a sinner. Racism is a sad part of our history. History is the past, and it cannot be changed. Like any sin, we hopefully learn and move forward. Stoking the fires of racism only pushes backwards. Jesus was also a victim to a group of Jews who insulted Him, using the racist word Samaritan. Watch Jesus’ response to Jews who stir the pot of resentment.
“The Jews answered and said to Him, ‘Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Perhaps the Jews heard Jesus had visited Samaria, and used this word as a slur. However it was said, it conveyed their disgust. One statement (Samaritan) led to another (a demon) in a graduated assault. To understand this a little better let’s take a history lesson. The origin of the word Samaritan was given by the king of Assyria to those Jews returning from Babylon. He settled them in Samaria as their new home. From there, the captive Jews adjusted their lives by integrating into their new country. Jews were mixed with people from cities of Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sephar-vaim, who were also relocated captives (2 Kings 17:24). These non-Jewish captives gradually abandoned their old idolatry, and later partially adopted Jewish religion. They lived in relative harmony, living together, along with the intermarrying between races. When the Jews began rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, the Samaritans assisted until trouble started. When the Samaritans left, they built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, which was later destroyed by a Jewish king. This Samaritan hatred continued until Jesus visited the Samaritans in John 4. Today, “Of these Samaritans there still remains a small population of about one hundred and sixty, who all reside in Shechem, where they carefully observe the religious customs of their fathers. They are the ‘smallest and oldest sect in the world.’”[1] They are still disregarded as lower forms of life by the Jews. Then the Jews used the term “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?’ Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.” They knew Jesus was not a Samaritan, but He acted like one by challenging their religious behavior. Then they used the term, “demon.” The term “demon” was commonly used by the Pharisees, and found again in John 10:20, “… He has a demon and is insane…” Jesus had a reply though for those which made perfect sense; “But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.” God could not counter Himself. He and the Father are One. If a person kept His word, he would never see death or hell. This was God’s promise to them.
The way out of racism is the Word of God. It is truth. It is our standard for treating one another. Note Jesus reply in a complete mastery of calmness, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.” The Father is the focus, not history. If God were to show us each our history, we would be ashamed. Thank Him for His forgiveness today!
[1] M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1893), 598.