Jump Start # 3484

John 8:48 “The Jews answered and said to Him, ‘Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon.’”

At this point in the Gospel of John, the Jews and Jesus were in some very heated dialogue. In the verse before ours, Jesus declared, “you are not of God.” Our verse today is the bombastic reply from the Jews. They tossed out two words, Samaritan and demon. But these were more than words, this was name-calling, insulting and used to sway an audience and end a conversation. Hurtful. Prejudice. Wicked. And reflective of a closed heart, calling Jesus a Samaritan and a demon, was more than a slap in the face, it was a stake in the heart.

To be called a Samaritan meant you were not of Israel. You were outside. You are not one of us. You are misinformed, blinded and clueless. Who listens to a Samaritan? And, worse, You are a Samaritan that has a demon. No one cares what you say. No one is going to listen to you. You are nuts and an idiot. Those words were prejudicial and intended to hurt. Jesus would reply by saying “I do not have a demon and I honor My Father.”

We are in an environment where name-calling has become common and even the norm. Those running for office, especially on the national front, love to toss verbal bombs at each other. There is an element of progressive thinking today that unless you embrace it, you’ll be called names. And, even among brethren, we love to toss the words, “liberal,” “legalistic,” and “Pharisee” at one another.

Name calling generally got us into fights when we were in the 5th grade and they do not accomplish much more when adults use them today. Putting labels on people may identify where someone is, but more often it changes what one thinks about that person.

Name-calling. Let’s think about that:

First, tossing rude and offensive names at someone doesn’t win arguments. When a person has run out of ammo, they’ll reach for some mean names to call someone. But name calling doesn’t prove the other person is wrong, nor does it prove you are right. If anything, it shows that you cannot answer the question or argument that is put on the table. And, most often, when one feels that they are backed into a corner and they can’t get out without surrendering, they’ll stoop to name-calling.

Second, name calling hurts. Many times what is said is not true, but it still hurts. It dents someone’s reputation and it is an easy way to turn others against a person. Our moms told us that words will never harm us. That actually isn’t true. The sticks and stones do break bones, but those bones mend. The mean and hurtful things that are said can stay with a person the rest of their lives. It is those mean things that were said that causes some to walk out the door of a church building and never return. In a moment of heated exchange, years of good can come tumbling down in an instant.

Third, you can apologize for name-calling, but there remains a hole punched in someone’s heart. Your relationship may forever be ruined because of something you said. Could this be the reason why James tells us to be slow to anger and slow to speak but quick to hear? Those with short fuses get themselves in a lot of trouble. God wants us to do better. God expects His people to treat others with kindness that grows from a tender heart, as the Ephesians were told.

It’s hard to remain calm when someone is calling you names. They launch a missile your way, so you retaliate by launching two in return. This causes that person, to send an even bigger missile, which leads you to sending more his way. And, before you know it, a war has been declared and you now have a new enemy who once was a friend. This is how fellowship becomes shattered. This is how families become estranged.

So, what do I do when someone calls me a name? Respond with facts. Stick with the truth. Don’t get personal. Don’t go get into the mud with that person. You do not need to raise your voice. Volume doesn’t prove one is right. No one is killed by thunder. It’s the lightning that strikes, that matters.

Realize that you are not the first, nor will you be the last that is called names. It’s hard, but don’t take those things personal. Most often, a person doesn’t know how to respond, so calling you prejudice or some other offending term, makes them think they have proven themselves right. They haven’t. All they did was call you a name. Not a high point of maturity when one does that.

Remember, when Jesus called the Pharisees, “hypocrites,” he wasn’t saying that because He didn’t know what else to say. Look at the times the Lord uses that word. He backs that word up with proof. They were hypocrites. They were inconsistent. They were playing favorites. Jesus was trying to get them to see that their little game wasn’t working. He saw right through them.

If you want to win someone to Christ, don’t name call. If you want to build relationships, drop the name calling. Stick to the facts. If you are accused, prove yourself with Scriptures. If you can’t, then change your ways.

Hurtful words belong to broken hearts that need a Savior.

Roger

Jump Start # 2462

John 8:48 “The Jews answered and said to Him, ‘Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon.”

For a long time now, it is a tradition for a sports team that won the championship to visit the White House. This is true both in collegiate and professional sports. Recently, the Nationals won baseball’s World Series. The team was invited to the White House, where the president would greet them and honor their achievements. One of the Nationals players wore a red “Make America Great Again” hat that is associated with President Trump. That player has been thrashed severely on social media. Some have said that they will never be a fan of that team and of that player ever again. The ridicule has been harsh.

We live in times in which civil disagreement does not exist. Two cannot discuss their differences and remain kind and friendly. That doesn’t happen. If we disagree, especially politically, then name calling, character attacks, and a total disregard and disdain for that person fills the air, especially on social media.

What many forget is that this climate of hatred is nothing new. When Lincoln became president, he was so disrespected and hated, that most of the southern states pulled out of the union and formed their own country.

But way before that, we come to our verse today. The Jews hated Jesus. They twisted His words. They would not believe what He said. They tried to trip Him up and trap Him in difficult fabricated scenarios. They made up stuff. They ridiculed the followers of Jesus. And, in our verse today, they discredited Jesus by name calling.

Our verse today identifies two harsh and painful things said to Jesus. They said He had a demon, which implied that He was controlled by Satan and not God. He couldn’t be trusted, because He had a demon. He would likely do anything. In Mark 5, the demon possessed man was chained in a cemetery. He broke the chains and was a frightful terror to everyone. This is the likes that they put Jesus with. They didn’t see any good that He was doing. They didn’t see any truth to what He was saying. He was possessed.

But the most powerful and prejudicial attack was calling Jesus a “Samaritan.” That word was extremely racial. Samaritans weren’t true Jews. The Jews would have nothing to do with Samaritans. History tells us that most times, Jews would go around Samaria and not through it. If Jesus were a Samaritan, then the prophecies would not be about Him. If He was a Samaritan, He didn’t belong in Jerusalem. He ought to go back to “his people” and live in Samaria. There is no way the Messiah would be a Samaritan.

Maybe this was said because Jesus actually went to Samaria. While there He talked to the woman at the well. Jesus made a Samaritan the hero of one of the parables. We call it “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” But likely, this is not where the Jews were reaching to call Jesus this term. They understood how just mentioning that word would set others off. They knew it was a “flame thrower” expression. We have certain racial words like that. They should never be said, under any circumstances. And, when they are, especially by public officials, it’s the death of their career. Calling Jesus a Samaritan was the same thing. They hoped it would be the end of “His career.” They hoped that people would walk away from Him.

Here are some thoughts:

First, name calling and belittling someone is cheap and childish. I have attended debates before where I sided more with the guy that I disagreed with doctrinally because the man speaking the truth was name calling, attacking the character and ridiculing the person as a means to score points. It didn’t work for me. You can say Jesus was a Samaritan, but that is not factual. His mother was a Jew. His step father was a Jew. His true Father is God. He was not born in Samaria. He did not grow up in Samaria. His disciples were not from Samaria. Throwing darts without any evidence, proof or support eventually makes you look bad.

Second, our spirit, language, tone and attitude has a lot to do with whether the discussion becomes heated or calm. Differences ought to be discussed. No one holds the market on truth other than God. It takes two people to have an argument. If someone is getting louder and meaner, then it is a good time to break up the conversation until everyone can calm down. Look at facts. Don’t quote what others have said. Do your homework. Truth has nothing to fear.

Third, there is a time to be silent. Before Herod, Jesus was silent. Many times before Pilate, Jesus was silent. There are times when someone is not wanting to hear what you say. There are times when every word you say will be twisted and taken out of context. It is in those settings, that it is best to be quiet. Peter tells us that Jesus left us an example of how to suffer. He didn’t respond to everything said about Him. He didn’t throw darts back. The following verse Jesus said, “I do not have a demon and I honor My Father. You dishonor Me.”

Fourth, how people handle disagreements says a lot about their character. Some don’t do well. They get mad. They toss every word they can think of. Some will stoop to cussing, trash talking and even doing mean and violent acts against the one they disagree with. The people of God must be different. There will always be disagreements. Husbands and wives disagree. Listen to the conversations going out the church door on Sunday morning. “Where do you want to go to eat?” A suggestion is made. The other one says, “I don’t want to go there.” Parents and teens disagree. Brethren disagree. Neighbors disagree. Politically we disagree. There are disagreements about spiritual matters. About the only way to avoid disagreements is to live by yourself in a cave. The issue is not how to avoid disagreements, but rather, how to disagree in a way that still honors God and does not disrespect the other person. Remember the person you disagree with is loved by God and Jesus died for that person.

You are a Samaritan. That’s about the same as saying you are a worthless idiot. That doesn’t make you right. In fact what it does is show poor judgment on your part. We are in the season of political ads on TV. Some of them are blunt, nasty and name calling. One after another and the person at home watching all of these ads has no idea if any of them are telling the truth. It leaves a sour taste in our mouth and it opens the door for us to treat others the same way.

No one is killed by thunder. Volume, name calling and character attacks do not prove one is right. Truth, like lightning, is precise and speaks for itself. Leave the shouting for the ballgames. Toss the ugly name calling. Treat others as you would like to be treated.

This ought to be true politically, religiously, and domestically.

Roger

Jump Start # 1739

John 8:48 “The Jews answered and said to Him, ‘Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?’” 

  The angry Jews had enough of Jesus. They were not only convinced that He was not the Messiah, but they tried to get the crowds to join them in denouncing and discrediting Him. Our passage reveals a powerful way that they tried to accomplish this. The Jews claimed that Jesus was a Samaritan. That doesn’t mean that much to us in our culture. This was an extremely racial, prejudicial and offensive label among the Jews. The Samaritans were “half-breeds.” They were not pure Jews. When Jesus went to Samaria, John states, “For the Jews have no dealings with Samaritans” (4:9). If Jesus was a Samaritan, that meant, He wasn’t a full blooded Jew. He was no longer a true descendent of Abraham, He would not be of the tribe of Judah and He could not be in line of David’s throne. In essence, the Messiah is not a Samaritan. You are a Samaritan, you are not the Messiah. This was more than a theological dig, it was racial. In our culture, using the “N-word,” is wrong. It is offensive, careless and hurtful. For a white person to call a black person, the “N-word,” will start trouble. It is wrong. This is what calling Jesus a Samaritan meant. It was intended to belittle, hurt and ruin Him.

Name calling is nothing new. It’s often the place people turn to when they have no defense, no argument. “Samaritan language” hasn’t stopped. It’s still being used today by brethren. We don’t recognize it, but I hear it much too often. Today, the “Samaritan language,” is to call something you don’t like, agree with, or is simply different, “Denominational” or “Liberal.”  Those “Samaritan” words are used to discredit, denounce and condemn what others are doing. It goes too often like this:

• “Your church building looks denominational.”
• “You don’t have regular gospel meetings like others do. You must be liberal.”
• “You are doing a special weekend for teens. That’s liberal.”

The thought behind this “Samaritan language,” is that everything the denominations or the liberals are doing is wrong. Let’s first clarify some words.

The word “denomination” means a subunit of something larger. It’s only a part of something else. Organizational, financially and other ways churches that belong to a denomination are linked and tied together. Denominational churches have headquarters and are organized beyond the congregation. Congregations are not independent. An example would be you could see a boat in the ocean. You could see several boats in the ocean. These are separate and independent. Then you could see the U.S. Navy Fleet. They are linked together under the U.S. government. That’s the idea of a denomination. I went to the bank once and asked for some change and the teller asked me what denominations I wanted. I said, “Two Baptists and one Methodist.” She didn’t get it.

The church you read about in the Bible is not a part of a denomination. Each congregation stands independent. Each congregation decides which direction it will go and what it will do. There are no orders coming down from an earthly headquarters. Money doesn’t flow back and forth and personnel isn’t changed by the decision of someone outside that congregation. The church in the Bible is not a denomination. It belongs to solely and completely to Jesus.

The assumption is made that everything done in denominations is wrong. This is why this has become a “Samaritan” word. To say, “That’s denominational,” is to discredit and denounce something because it looks like something the denominations would do. Take a walk through your preacher’s library someday. The majority of the books in his library are written by “denominational” authors. Not everything done in denominations is wrong. Truth is truth, no matter who says it.

I have found those who so quickly and thoughtless use this “Samaritan” word, act more like a denomination themselves than what they are pointing their critical finger at. People say, “That doesn’t look like one of our buildings. It must be denominational.” Really? “One of our buildings?” What does that mean? People are asked, “What time does worship begin?” The reply, “The Scriptural time, 10:30.” They say that as if they nearly believe that. There is no SCRIPTURAL time to start services. Search that Bible, you won’t find that other than worship on Sunday. Our gospel meetings, some say, go from Sunday to Friday, the Scriptural way. Better be careful with that language. It is sounding more and more like they are part of a denomination. Because something is different, doesn’t make it wrong.

The term “Liberal,” is offensive, rude and used to end a discussion. Back in the 1950’s-1960’s, some progressive brethren and conservative brethren differed on the role of the church and the use of church funds in social things and in helping non-Christians. A division took place. The conservative wing was rudely referred to as “antis”. They were “anti” doing things. They were against things. The progressive side was referred to as “liberal.” And the terms seem to have stayed with us far too long.

A congregation decides not to have Sunday night services. “LIBERAL.” Why? Because everyone has Sunday night services. A congregation decides not to offer the Lord’s Supper a second time on Sunday. “LIBERAL.” Why? Because they are different. That’s how this “Samaritan” word is applied.

It is easy to throw out those “Samaritan” words to discredit and destroy the good a church is doing. We must not forget that when Jesus taught, He was “different.” He didn’t teach like the other rabbis. The words we ought to use are “Biblical” or “unbiblical.” Different isn’t wrong, if it is Biblical.

It would do a lot of places much good if they started doing things a bit different. They are stuck, stagnate and stale. Every year doing the same thing. No new ideas. No fresh approaches. Bible classes taught the same way. Sermons on the same subjects. Over and over and over. To dare introduce a new idea is immediately shot down as being both “Liberal” and “Denominational.”

It is refreshing where I worship. Our leaders are only concerned about being Biblical. We change things all the time. We may have a visiting preacher come in for just a day or two. The following year, we might do something completely different than that. We’ve had some classes that only lasted 5 weeks. The decisions our shepherds make are solely based upon what they feel our group needs at this moment. They thoroughly research the Bible to make sure we are Biblical. Then we set sail. Oh, we hear it all the time from others. The stale churches love to call us liberal and denominational. They continue to drift along, going no where, and we have goals, plans and agendas for years to come. We don’t listen to what others say. We are concerned solely with what the Lord thinks. We are a large congregation. We’ve been told that you can’t be that large and be right. Funny, guess those folks that say that never read the first pages of Acts. We are not up to 3,000 yet, but would love to be there someday.

Jesus was called a Samaritan. Was He? No. Did that cause Him to adjust what He was doing or to tone down His plans and words? No. He wasn’t a Samaritan. He wasn’t wrong. The name callers were trying to stop Him. Jesus was Biblically right.

We must follow suit. Don’t stop things just because others call you names. Make sure you are Biblically right, then launch away. Don’t listen to what others are saying. It may be nothing more than guilty voices who are jealous because you are doing more than they ever will. And please, stop using “Samaritan language.” It isn’t nice, right nor what God wants us to do. If something is not right, point it out with the Bible. If it’s simply different, recognize that and don’t stand in someone’s way. If you do, you might just get run over.

Roger

Jump Start # 805

John 8:48 “The Jews answered and said to Him, ‘Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

Our passage finds Jesus in a heated discussion with the Jews. These Jews were resisting what Jesus was saying. Their thoughts turned to killing Jesus. He was aware of this. He accused them of being of the Devil. If they were of God they would accept Jesus, because the Father sent Him.

In this back and forth exchange, comes our verse. The Jews declared that Jesus was a Samaritan and had a demon. We know those words are not true. We know that some will say anything to shift an argument off of them. We know that some have closed ears and hearts. In the first century world, those accusations from the Jews were racial, prejudicial and full of hate.

Calling Jesus a Samaritan was extremely racial. The Jews had nothing to do with the Samaritans. The Samaritans were not true Jews. They were Jews who had intermarried other nations. The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. They would not even travel through Samaritan land. The story of the good Samaritan, the one thankful leper, being a Samaritan all stuck a finger in the eyes of the Jews. Now, they were calling Jesus a Samaritan. That meant, first of all, you are not one of us. You do not belong. You have no right being in the Temple and you have no right telling us anything. You are a Samaritan. Worse, it meant that Jesus could not be the Messiah. The Messiah is a descendent of Abraham and from the tribe of Judah. Being a Samaritan would mean Jesus was a fake, an imposter.

They also claimed that Jesus had a demon. Those possessed with demons were controlled by the demon and did unusual things, such as the boy who fell into the fire and fell into water. His parents had to watch him constantly. Or the man from Mark 5, who dwelled among the tombs, was naked and screamed at night. Equating Jesus with the possessed meant He doesn’t know what He is talking about. Ignore Him. He’s possessed.

Hurtful words. Accusations intended to discredit a message. Instead of having to deal with the arguments of the message, the Jews shot down the messenger. ‘We don’t have to listen to him, he’s a Samaritan. Don’t pay any attention to him, he has a demon!’

The tactics of these Jews has been used in every generation. Instead of dealing with a thought, an idea, an argument, a sermon, a message, the messenger is discredited. Politically, the expressions, “Liberal,” or, “Right winged,” is all that is necessary to turn the message off. Religiously, the terms, “Progressive,” “Conservative,” “Liberal,” “Anti” do the same. We feel compelled to put these tags on people and in so doing, we color and sway the outcome in our favor. Deal with what is said. Truth is truth, no matter who says it. A new idea can be shot to pieces by simply throwing one of these labels on it. Instead of digging through the new idea and giving it thought, it’s tossed out the window because it sounds like it came from one of those Samaritan ideas. ‘It sounds like a demon—I’ll have nothing to do with it.’

Brand names—titles—labels—they often do more than identify, they discredit and prejudice the minds of others. I knew a preacher who wanted me to guess how much his suit cost. I hate those situations. I never know what to say. He insisted. He was having fun with me. I took what I thought was a safe guess and said, “about $150.” Sounds fair for a suit. He laughed and laughed. He told me he bought his suit for $15 at a garage sale. He was proud. It was actually a fine looking suit. I don’t shop garage sales for suits. The image of garage sale merchandise isn’t too good in my mind. Image. Impression. Colored vision.

Some can have that same concept when it comes to the Bible. Mention the word, “Bible,” and some will just roll their eyes. They are thinking, “Samaritan.” Refer to Jesus in a conversation, and you’ll find some who are acting as if you have a demon. In a discussion about origins, refer to the Bible’s account of creation, and many will give you that response. In a conversation about divorce, or same sex marriage any reference to what God says will make people think, ‘What a dumb Samaritan.’ Talk about worship music, what a church does with it’s money, who ought to preach or a sundry of similar topics and those who want to simply follow the Bible pattern are viewed as demon possessed Samaritans.

Name calling, shouting, finger pointing—all these are attempts to deflect from serious discussion and reason. It’s easier to call someone a Samaritan than it is to answer his arguments. It is easier to discredit the messenger than it is the message.

It’s easy to think that I’d never do that, but do I? When I’m in a corner, do I try to wiggle out? Do I play spiritual dodge ball with the preacher? No one likes to be in the hot seat. No one likes to be wrong. No one likes to feel guilty. No one likes to think that they ought to change. So, saying he’s a Samaritan works. Later, these Jews found out that calling Jesus names was not effective. They would eventually nail Jesus to the cross. Kill the messenger, that will silence him. It didn’t.

There are times we must look in our heart and realize what is being said could be right. Examine it. Look at it. Compare it to God’s word. Search. See. Study. Don’t throw something out, simply because it means I have to change or it’s different, or I don’t like it.

Stop name calling and start listening! Good thoughts for all of us. Had those Jews done that, they would have become disciples instead of enemies of Jesus.

Roger