John 8:48, “Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”
This is a retort by the Jews after Jesus just got done telling them that the way they are reacting to who He is, is from the devil. Instead of giving some argument or evidence that what Jesus is saying is false they move into an ad hominem argument, which basically means that started name calling.
They try to defeat Him by disgracing Him in front of everyone. What worse insult for a Jew then to be called a Samaritan, as they were seen as dirty people. Then they attributed Christ’s works to Satan. Upon reading this and seeing what Jesus said first then how the Jews respond it is almost like a first grader responding. Jesus says, “What you are saying is of the devil.” They basically respond, “No it isn’t, you stink and you are of the devil.” I would expect more then the ‘I’m rubber your glue’ argument from the Pharisees.
Anyone that has been in a debate or witnessing with someone can understand this situation and learn from what Christ does. I can think of times where I was debating or witnessing and people would call me names and it would cause me to lose my cool and train of thought, and at least once leaving me silent and embarrassed. Who wants to be insulted in front of many people, including your friends and family.
John 8:54-55, “54Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 55Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.”
Jesus keeps His cool and responds back, and He does so in almost a callous fashion. In “Alanese” Jesus is saying, “I tell the truth, prove that I am not, and in the end you will be shone the liars that you are.” He does not give them a hug or tell them they have the right to their opinion. He does not just ignore it, or change His tone because it offends them. He goes right at them with truth.
Though we always need to witness with love, it does not excuse us from being truthful as Christ was truthful, even if it hurts us or them. There are times when that is exactly what needs to be done in certain situations, as seen in this dialogue in John. He did not allow people to get away with telling lies about God, and nor should we.
Isn’t that exactly why some martyrs gave their lives? All they would have to do in some situations is deny who God is and allow the people torturing them to feel they won. Wouldn’t God forgive them for lying in order to allow someone else to feel good, or in order for them to feel better, as the beatings and torment would stop? Maybe if we just told white lies by watering down the message? Just make it easier to swallow. Maybe rationalize some so we do not lose people from the church, as it would hurt our pocket books? Come on, aren’t we told to love people? Does it really hurt to bend the truth a little to attract more people to Christ? The answer is an astounding NO! No No No No!
We are to proclaim truth, which is Christ no matter how it plays out in our lives or in the lives of others. There are times when it will hurt you and/or them, but there are also times when it will come as love and beautifully emotional for both you and the receiver. Ours is not the outcome, but the telling. The truth will set you and them free, as it is found in Christ. We are not to bend, trick, tell white lies, or conform to make believing easier. We are to tell the truth about Christ and what He demands, and then let the truth judge and speak. If we take a few lumps for Christ then awesome. If we are given a great big hug and thanked then awesome. But either way we proclaim Christ and His truth.
Proverbs 8:7, “For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.”
Romans 1:8, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,”
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
1 John 1:6, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Seek truth, tell truth, and walk in truth all the days of your lives.
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