I do not have a demon ...

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. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”

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This accusation of Jesus is beyond belief. The nastiness of the Jews who say this to him is unbelievable. Is this the way that religious act? Is this the level of discourse people of faith should have? The obvious answer is not only no but hell no! People who claim to follow God should not call each other names and should definitely not accuse others of having a demon. But such is the way that religious people have acted through out history. Instead of exemplifying the character of the Savior they sadly reveal the character of the Accuser.

And still today I find such discourse among religious people. It is like they do not understand that when they do this to each other they are doing it to Christ himself - for we are his body and his workmanship. When Jesus speaks of those who will never taste death he is speaking to such as these. The truth is that many, who religious people malign, will be in heaven with them. Calvinists will walk golden streets with Armenians. Baptists with Catholics. We will all be one on that day. No one will accuse then and no one should accuse now.

I repent Lord. I have accused. I need a savior. Save me from accusing my brother.