" The Jews answered him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?"
I read this exchange in the gospel reading for morning prayer today and it reminded me of something. First, let me point out that calling Jesus a Samaritan was a 'racial epitaph' as they say. The gospel writers, in their turn, refer to them as "The Jews" like Jesus wasn't one so the racism goes both ways. It reminded me of what is going on at Capital Hill right now with the health care debate. (If you haven't heard the latest on the Republican response, click here.)
"The Jews" don't like what Jesus has to say and they're getting frustrated. They can't even argue with him anymore because they're running out of good arguments. This guy they've decided is a total nut job is too smart to argue with. Naturally, the next step is name calling. Naturally, they ask him to agree with them. "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?"
They just accused him of being possessed! Of being possessed and a Samaritan. Being a Samaritan meant your blood line was all mixed up with some local dirty gentiles and that you didn't do things in just the right way in just the right place. The implications of this rivalry have always bothered me in ways I don't care to expound on today, but I'll admit the words "pure blood pollution" come into my head every time I give it any significant thought. It drives me a little nuts.
Then Jesus throws out the kicker after calmly repeating his claims:
"Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.'"
In case you missed it, this is one of those places we're pretty sure he's claiming to be God. Since they don't have a decent argument to combat that, this follows:
"So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple."
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
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