John 8:49

Jesus answers their invective. “I do not have any demon,” he responds. “All I do is honor my Father, and you respond by dishonoring and insulting me.” John 8:49 EFP 

Jesus is obviously hurt and offended by their vicious slander. Of all the options available to him, his response is rather mild. First he addresses the first allegation by simply stating “I do not have a demon.” What else could he say other than stating the obvious? After all this attack comes at the heels of his sending away the woman caught in adultery, without so much as a request that she stop her destructive behavior.

The second response is more personal. It is here that his injured humanity filters through. He points out that all he has been doing are things that honor the will of his father in heaven. He is not out speaking ill of the Scriptures, nor defaming them. He is healing, preaching, and challenging his listeners to live lives worthy of the one who seeks to save them. Rather than commending his ministry on behalf of the populace, they seek to defame, dishonor, destroy, and actively seek out his ultimate death. They even stop to question his parentage by making reference to the shady stories regarding his suspicious birth.

It is tragic that the end result of resisting the lead of the Spirit of Christ is to become antagonistic and enflamed against noble gestures, genuine service, and pure motives. Evil becomes acceptable and god becomes deplorable. What is first rebuffed in the heart is ultimately maligned in public. It is the only way to justify our suspect behavior and unsavory choices. May God deliver me from this level of self-deceit.