KEY SCRIPTURE: John 8:49 KJV “Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.”

The Lord’s discourse with the Jewish leaders reveals so many things about Jesus’ reaction to different responses. In this instant, the Jewish leaders responded quite offensively to Him. They said the following to Jesus Joh 8:48 KJV ” Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? ,” To call him a Samaritan was a reproach. The Samaritans were regarded as heretic, schismatic or separatist group. The Jews indeed had no religious regard for the Samaritans. They added that He also had a devil. To say such a thing to a Jew in the days of our Lord was very disgusting.

The Lord was never infuriated by their negative remarks, why? People get offended at what others may be saying to them, because of pride and arrogance. They relate to others with a very high sense of ego. Such people easily get offended because they speak with their reputation in mind. This should never be the motive or attitude of the child of God. Every Christian is not just carrying his cross, he is dead to self and alive unto God Gal 2:20. It is Jesus who is alive in you. We relate with men to express the love, longsuffering and goodness of our Lord Jesus to them, so we would be able to win them. We never defend our reputation. In actual fact, we do not have any reputation of ours to keep. IT IS JESUS’ REPUTATION which is at stake, and that is kept through our love and humility. Rom 15:3 KJV” For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”

In Acts 26:18 the Lord Jesus gave apostle Paul the focus of his ministry to all them that he was being sent to. Act 26:18 KJV” To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me”.

Our Lord had the same motive when communicating to His audience. Their negative or positive reaction was not going to make Him act in a way to defeat His agenda.

His focus or objective for sharing with them were as follows:

1. To open their eyes

2. To turn them from darkness to light

3. Set them free from Satan’s power to the Lord

4. That they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among the saints

The last aspect could occur after His resurrection, yet He spoke to people with this motive. How can you be offended with the very people you are trying to reach?

These above points should always be our underlying motive, to communicate to those lost in sin. Apostle James wrote the following, James 1:19 KJV” Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

Our words must always edify or build up our hearers and express the humility of our master Jesus to them. SPEAK TO WIN MEN FOR CHRIST, AND NOT TO DEFEND YOURSELF OR PRIDE.

CONFESSION

I have been sent to win my World for Jesus, I do not allow their responses, whether negative or positive to derail me from my motive. I speak with love so that I may be able to win them.

THOUGHT:  SATAN SPEAKS THROUGH THE LOST, LET JESUS ALSO SPEAK HIS KIND WORDS THROUGH YOU, TO WIN THEM.

FURTHER STUDIES

Colossians 4:6 KJV” Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Galatians 2:20 KJV “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”