In my lifetime I have lived an amazing number of places. Some of those places have been exceptionally nice. Others have been… well… Hicksville. In Jesus’ day, people who lived in Samaria were considered hicks by people who lived in Jerusalem.
Technically Jesus was born in Bethlehem just south of Jerusalem, so he was every bit as “pure” as the Pharisees who derided him. Of course, he was raised in Galilee north of Samaria in a town called Nazareth. Not the most prestigious place on the planet, but not in Samaria, either. To suggest that Jesus was a Samaritan was an insult coming from a Jew, and to say that someone was demon-possessed was far worse than just an insult.
The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me.”
John 8: 48-49
As always our Lord is cool under fire. Insulted and slandered he keeps his eye on the Father and what is important. He ignores the crack about being a Samaritan and flatly denies the charge of being demon possessed. Then, he goes back on offense: God the Father is what and who is important. Jesus is the Son of the Father and represents the Father on earth. God’s chosen people dishonor God when they dishonor the Son. Calling Jesus a “hick” might have seemed a good idea at the time, but in the eternal scheme of things, I suspect that the Jews doing the name calling regretted their choice of words.
Q: There are many ways to honor or dishonor someone. How do you think Jesus perceives our words and actions today? Is he honored or dishonored?
Hmm this is a good and important question.
I think the Christian emphasis on not swearing is insufficient and superficial. People do not need to use swear words to speak in a way that dishonors Jesus. Christians in America have a bad reputation for this and agree.
I would go so far as to say that I would rather have someone swear, but speak kindly to others than never swear as the injure and insult people. Poison in a pretty glass is still poison.
A good an important question. One we need to ask ourselves every day.