The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"

I am not possessed by a demon," said Jesus, "but I honor my father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself, but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."

At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?" [John 8:48-53]

Last Sunday we celebrated Holy Trinity Sunday. Holy Trinity is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost. It is a special day set aside by the Western Christian liturgical churches to celebrate the doctrine of the Trinity, the three persons of God -- father, son and Holy Spirit.

The above text was the appointed pericope for Trinity Sunday. In the text, the Jews who had gathered around Jesus showed complete contempt for him. They knew that he was one of them. Yet they insulted him by calling him a foreigner, a Samaritan.

People say cruel things to one another. Family members often say cruel things to other family members. Husbands and wives say cruel things just to hurt one another. Sometimes, even in the church we say cruel things to hurt one another.

The people said that Jesus was demon-possessed, which suggested that the miracles that he did were from the devil. This also questioned his authority as being sent from God. The Christian church is still under attack from the people of the world. They ridicule the church and spurn God's word and all the gifts that he offers.

When Jesus sought to explain to them, they further ridiculed him. They strongly protested when he said: "I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death". This angered the people because they felt that Jesus was putting himself in a class with their forefather, Abraham. Abraham was the benchmark of faith, yet he had died.

Jesus was talking about immortality for all who trusted in his words. This the people could not accept because the great men of the Bible, the prophets including Abraham, had died. Therefore, they reasoned, how could Jesus claim immortality for those who followed him?

Unfortunately, the people and Jesus were talking on different plains. He was talking about spiritual things while the people were talking about earthly or secular things. The death about which he was referring was a spiritual death.

Even today, many Christians confuse the spiritual and the physical death. The physical death is that death which all humankind will face. On the other hand, only those who spurn the call of the Holy Spirit and refuse to live God pleasing lives will experience a spiritual death.

The people became so irate at Jesus' words, they picked up stones to kill him. However, he slipped away from them.

Today as we continue to proclaim the same gospel of Jesus Christ and present God to the world, those who oppose the church are still picking up stones to throw at us. The world is still calling us crazy. They are still saying that we are demon-possessed.

Notwithstanding this, we should not be deterred from proclaiming the gospel. God is still in control. He is still guiding us. He sent the Holy Spirit to guide and sustain us. That is why we can continue to give thanks and praise to the Holy Trinity. Amen.

o Reverend Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at The Lutheran Church of Nassau, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas, or telephone 426-9084; E-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian