After seeing Mel Gibson’s "The Passion of the Christ," many people asked themselves, "How could they have done that to an innocent man?" In fact, the film was criticized because Gibson didn’t explain for the viewer why Christ was subjected to such cruelty.

This is a reasonable question. Why did the Jews brutalize an innocent man? Once we answer this question we’ll understand not only the crucifixion, but why the Jewish leadership was so hostile toward our Lord. Let’s look at two texts that address the matter of Jewish resentment.

Matthew 27:7 "So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, ‘Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’¹⁸ For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him."

Mark 15:9 "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate,¹⁰ knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him."

It’s helpful if we remind ourselves that envy is, "painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage."

Here, we must pursue the question even further by asking, "Why did they resent Christ? Why were they envious?"

One Jewish writer suggests the following: "John’s Gospel abolishes what is sacred for Judaism and replaces it with ‘Christ.’ Everything that was held to be important by ‘the Jews’ is dismissed in John as insignificant. Christ replaces or supersedes Judaism. The Church expresses this idea today by claiming to be the ‘New Israel.’ According to John, Christ replaces the Temple (2:18-22); the Law (5:39-40) and Israel itself (15:1-17) - the ‘vine’ being a symbol of Israel (Psalm 80:8; Ezekiel 15:1-6 and Hosea 10:1)." http://www.messianicracism.mcmail.com/ca/antisem/idx.htm

Transition: So, this idea of displacement is essential to understanding the Jewish opposition to Christ. The Jewish leaders felt marginalized by Christ and they weren’t going to stand by and allow Him to assume their rightful place before God.

Now, turning to the Gospel lesson for today; in St. John 8 the Jews attack our Lord ad hominem. Note what is written in v41, "Then they said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father--God." Is it clear to you what they’re saying? One version of the Scriptures translates this verse, "We’re not bastards. We have a legitimate father: the one and only God (The Message)."

Here, they indict every member of the Holy Family. "You were born of a woman who never copulated with a man? Yeah, right. Your mother was common. Your father was a rogue. And you’re the illicit product of their lust and passion."

The Jews repudiate the truth of His virgin birth. They’re as blind as Rabbi Binder in Phillip Roth’s short story, "The Conversion of the Jews."

But the family abuse doesn’t stop there. In verse 48 the Jews say, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan." It’s a rhetorical question. They don’t want an answer. They’re calling names. The Jews considered the Samaritans unclean, the pariah of the Ancient Near East. Samaritans were the offspring of Babylonian fathers and Jewish mothers. To call someone a Samaritan was to curse them and their parents.

In v52 the monstrous accusations continue. "Now we know that you have a demon!" Some people wonder what the unpardonable sin is. This is it – attributing to Satan, the work of God (cf., Matthew 12:31).

When writing his gospel St. John accentuated the striking contrast between our Lord and Satan. Satan is a liar and a murderer, who seeks to deceive people. Our Lord, on the other hand is the source of truth. He sets us free. He gives us His life in the sacraments. He is God.

Lest there be any doubt about His divinity, mark what Christ says in v58, "Before Abraham, 'I AM.'" This is an unequivocal claim to divinity. Abraham’s fleeting life is set in juxtaposition to the timelessness of Christ. I Am. His existence transcends time. He is therefore exalted infinitely above Abraham. Jesus is God and He is bold in making the claim.

Now study the response of the Jews. They don’t even take time to sentence Him. Instead, they begin reaching for stones to kill Him on the spot. Why? Because He’s an illegitimate Samaritan who’s demon possessed. You have no claim on us! And if you press the matter we’ll kill you!

Conclusion
Before we judge the Jews, we need to consider a few verses. St. Paul writes in Romans 11:7-8; 19-20 "What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,⁸ as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in."²⁰ Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.²¹ For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either."

What St. Paul is saying is, "Don’t be haughty. But for the grace of God goes you." St. Augustine put it this way: "The man, who does not do what is right when he is able, loses the ability to do it when he wishes." The Jews rejected God and He blinded them so they could not respond. But we’re the beneficiaries of their blindness.

God harnessed their wickedness to bring about our salvation. May God give us grace to respond with thankful hearts. Amen