John 8:48

“The Jewish rabble is furious and responds in kind. “It is most obvious that our opinion of you is accurate. You are indeed a despicable Samaritan dog and if that were not enough, you have a demon living in you as well!” John 8:48 EFP 

Wow! That Jewish contingent comes out with guns blazing. It appears his statement regarding their lack of connection with the God they claim to represent is more than they can handle. They launch an insult-laden diatribe that can hardly be more severe in their own eyes. They call Jesus a Samaritan. They say he is demon-possessed.

Few things could be more insulting to a Jew than to be called a Samaritan. That particular group is the least esteemed of all classes, perhaps even more despised than the pagans. Their history is one of religious compromise, intermingling and marrying non-Jews. In the eyes of a religious Jew they are sub-human. The scum of the earth. They represent the worst of what a descendant of Abraham could be, if in fact they had any Abrahamic blood still flowing through their heathen veins at all.

Calling Jesus demon-possessed is the topper. They tell Jesus he is a demon-infected dog! They mean to insult him; to malign him in the presence of everyone present. Why? Because he exposed them for what they were—hypocrites who use their religious position to control, spiritually enslave, and impede the path of people seeking to know God. The divide is clear. The contrast is set. I must choose with whom I will stand. Every day I must choose. I choose the Master!