April 9, 2025
Worldview - Part 3
John 8:48-49
04/09/2025
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.'' (ESV)
Because we have different worldviews, different ways of
looking at the same situation, we have trouble communicating.
This is especially true when we look at the important,
fundamental questions of life. Depending on your beliefs, your
worldview, your answer to ``What happens when we die?'' will be
different than your neighbor's.
Often, when we cannot come up with a good answer to the
arguments presented, we attack the person with whom we are
speaking. Jesus was not immune to this debate strategy.
The Jews answered him, ``Are we not right in saying
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.''
There was no greater insult the Jews could have given.
Samaritans were hated, and a demon-possessed Samaritan was
particularly to be avoided. Those were fighting words, but Jesus
did not rise to take the bait. He simply pointed His accusers
that they not only were dishonoring Him, but the One who sent
Him, God the Father. Throughout this discussion Jesus claimed to
be sent from the Father. Throughout His ministry, Jesus made the
claim, as Saint John recorded: ``For God so loved the world that
He gave His only-begotten Son.''[1]
Dishonoring the Father, dishonoring God, is not something
taken lightly. Yet, if one does not recognize God, it is easy to
dishonor Him, to speak ill of Him, and to dismiss the message of
His love.
May our Lord grant that we honor Him in all things, thus
bringing honor to God our Father. Amen.
____________________
1. John 3:16