Today’s scripture: John 8:48-59
The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying you are a Samaritian and have a demon?” I find this verse to be one of the funniest in all of scripture. Who would actually have the nerve to ask someone if they have a demon? And to top it off what did they expect the answer to be?
Often times we are quick to judge people and situations too quickly. In Jesus’s case they asked two question, the first “are we not right in saying you are a Samaritian?” It would not take longto figure out if a person was a Samaritian or not. It is a simple examination of their family and everyone knew that those that raise Jesus were Jews. Traditions even state that both Mary and Joseph were very pious Jews prior to Jesus’s birth so saying such a thing is bizzar.
But why would they raise the issue? Probably because like many of our judgements He didn’t always do things or say things exactly as the particular group wanted. Today there are a group of political individuals called RINO’s, republican in name only, they are given this name because they don’t always speak and vote down the party line. These individuals may actually be more conservitive than most in 95% of the issues but in the 5% they are condemed. I personally would have considered myself as a republican, but according to this definition I would be a RINO, because I have a strong belief in not using military to force our agendas across the world, I also feel we really should support the arts in education and not solely focus on reading, math and science. That being said i’m ok with that because I like rinos they are my favorite animal.
The issue is we judge and we judge poorly. We are just like those in this passage ready to through stones at the nearest hint of heresy, yet not seeing the reality of the situation.
Today examine your life and where you may be quick to judge, and ask if you have all the information or are you just reacting to bias. To go deeper look into your own actions and thoughts are you upset at others because they have not don the things you personally were called to do? Tough questions I know, but give yourself some grace. Jesus loves you and scripture promises that the Spirit of God will strengthen us in our weakness.
Discussion
No comments yet.