WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.060 All right, so we are back into the Gospel of John 00:00:04.060 --> 00:00:08.019 and we'll continue through this through the rest of our holiday time. 00:00:09.160 --> 00:00:09.859 John chapter 9. 00:00:09.939 --> 00:00:12.980 If you don't have a Bible, there are Bibles up on the back desk up there 00:00:12.980 --> 00:00:13.720 if you want to grab one. 00:00:14.220 --> 00:00:15.519 But keep it open to John chapter 9 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:18.300 because we'll be working through that as I speak. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:23.640 Before I actually even get into it though 00:00:23.640 --> 00:00:25.039 and start talking about the passage, 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:26.820 I'm going to make an observation about life 00:00:26.820 --> 00:00:31.500 that I think we can all pretty readily and easily see, 00:00:31.600 --> 00:00:32.619 perhaps even in ourselves. 00:00:34.119 --> 00:00:38.880 Things like, have you noticed how a successful businessman 00:00:38.880 --> 00:00:43.840 sees his first million as a start 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:47.719 and continues to work long hours 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:50.960 even though they're well into the category of rich? 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:57.060 A billionaire even will continue to work long hours. 00:00:57.700 --> 00:01:01.240 A politician will go to battle for a lost cause. 00:01:01.880 --> 00:01:03.960 A world record holding athlete 00:01:03.960 --> 00:01:09.099 will train and train and train again 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:11.099 to beat their own record, 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:12.819 pushing themselves to the point of exhaustion, 00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:15.000 to the point of body failure. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:19.459 Putting themselves to the absolute limit 00:01:19.459 --> 00:01:22.239 in order to beat their own record. 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:24.540 Why do we do this? 00:01:24.579 --> 00:01:25.540 Why do we have this drive, 00:01:25.599 --> 00:01:28.140 a drive that actually pushes us to move further, 00:01:28.219 --> 00:01:29.000 to get that promotion, 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:29.900 to work harder, 00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:34.539 to excel more and more in the different areas of life? 00:01:35.460 --> 00:01:37.120 Where does this drive come from? 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:40.859 Well, in an article by Tony Schwartz 00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:42.740 in the New York Times in May 2015, 00:01:42.739 --> 00:01:45.339 he actually says this, 00:01:46.179 --> 00:01:48.280 we want desperately to matter, 00:01:49.179 --> 00:01:52.599 to feel a sense of worthiness. 00:01:54.339 --> 00:01:56.819 Once our basic human needs are met, he said, 00:01:57.099 --> 00:02:00.000 the biggest stressor that psychology has managed to throw up 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:03.099 or the biggest threat to me, 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:07.939 the most likely thing to produce the hormone cortisol, 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:09.959 which is a stress chemical 00:02:09.959 --> 00:02:11.840 that starts your heart racing and all that sort of stuff, 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:17.140 the biggest stressor beyond eating, drinking, shelter, 00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:20.300 is my social self, 00:02:21.240 --> 00:02:22.500 my social acceptance, 00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:24.759 my esteem, 00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:27.080 my status. 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:30.480 Or you could say my pride, 00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:31.439 my dignity, 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:33.020 my respect. 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:36.960 And because of this drive, 00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:38.240 and because it's so strong, 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:45.219 we apply ourselves to achieving this end of esteem and status 00:02:45.219 --> 00:02:47.000 with incredible vigour. 00:02:49.540 --> 00:02:49.980 Why? 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:53.180 To feel good about ourselves, 00:02:53.820 --> 00:02:55.540 but more for everyone to look at us 00:02:55.540 --> 00:02:57.580 and wish that, well, they were like us too. 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:01.580 There's some kind of comparison that goes on here too. 00:03:01.580 --> 00:03:04.340 It's not just me and myself competing against myself 00:03:04.340 --> 00:03:05.860 and trying to better myself. 00:03:06.200 --> 00:03:08.820 I'm trying to lift myself up compared to you. 00:03:11.360 --> 00:03:14.120 There's a comparison going on in which we judge each other. 00:03:14.320 --> 00:03:15.960 As Christians, we do this all the time. 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:18.240 You know, even as Christian parents, 00:03:18.460 --> 00:03:20.060 we don't want our kids playing with the rough kids. 00:03:20.140 --> 00:03:21.720 Oh no, we want them playing with the good kids. 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:24.740 We send them to good schools 00:03:24.740 --> 00:03:26.719 so that I can actually mix with those good kids. 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:29.479 We encourage them toward a good education, 00:03:29.840 --> 00:03:30.919 push them to work hard, 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:31.979 get a good job. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:36.180 We try to steer them away from the wrong partner 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:37.240 when that time comes. 00:03:39.979 --> 00:03:41.419 We even spiritualise it. 00:03:42.819 --> 00:03:44.800 We expect spiritual obedience 00:03:44.800 --> 00:03:46.360 to lead to blessing. 00:03:46.360 --> 00:03:49.180 And you know you do that 00:03:49.180 --> 00:03:51.240 because as soon as something rubbish 00:03:51.240 --> 00:03:52.200 comes into your life, 00:03:52.260 --> 00:03:53.320 you go, why God? 00:03:55.040 --> 00:03:56.680 Why do we even ask that question? 00:03:58.120 --> 00:03:59.660 We expect spiritual obedience 00:03:59.660 --> 00:04:00.500 to lead to blessing. 00:04:00.760 --> 00:04:03.020 And we see blessing in terms of success. 00:04:03.020 --> 00:04:04.520 And we see success 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:07.200 as the results of our effort. 00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:11.579 Into that scene 00:04:11.579 --> 00:04:13.419 and that mode of thinking 00:04:13.419 --> 00:04:16.539 enters a man born blind. 00:04:18.779 --> 00:04:20.139 Why was he born blind? 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:22.899 Well, there were theological answers 00:04:22.899 --> 00:04:24.399 to that question already floating around. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:25.680 Accepted answers. 00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:28.399 They're implied by the question 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:30.120 that the disciples asked Jesus in verse 2. 00:04:30.180 --> 00:04:31.099 His disciples ask him, 00:04:31.539 --> 00:04:32.459 Rabbi, who sinned, 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:33.459 this man or his parents, 00:04:33.519 --> 00:04:34.379 that he was born blind? 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:36.779 Cause and effect. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:39.300 Someone must have sinned 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:41.060 because he was born blind. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:42.159 But who? 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:44.879 Worst case scenario, 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:46.339 the man himself 00:04:46.339 --> 00:04:47.979 while he was still in the womb. 00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:49.399 How did this work? 00:04:49.480 --> 00:04:52.219 Well, they thought, it appears, 00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:53.519 at least this is one of the ways 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:54.939 that this might have happened, 00:04:55.039 --> 00:04:56.459 was that an unborn baby 00:04:56.459 --> 00:04:57.680 might actually participate 00:04:57.680 --> 00:04:58.839 in the sin of their mother. 00:04:58.919 --> 00:04:59.939 So if the mother sinned, 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:02.219 because the baby was present in the womb, 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:04.560 then that child sinned along with the mother. 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:07.500 So best case scenario, 00:05:07.899 --> 00:05:08.959 the people who are all, 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:09.439 you know, 00:05:09.500 --> 00:05:10.579 looking at this sinner, 00:05:10.819 --> 00:05:13.540 this blind man on the side of the road. 00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:15.620 Best case scenario, 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:17.459 people looking at this blind man 00:05:17.459 --> 00:05:18.720 and blaming his parents. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:20.860 Worst case, 00:05:21.740 --> 00:05:22.620 they're looking at him 00:05:22.620 --> 00:05:24.180 and judging him personally, 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:26.519 thinking he is personally responsible 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:27.759 for his blindness. 00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:29.099 But either way, 00:05:29.719 --> 00:05:30.659 in their minds, 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:33.319 sin leads to suffering. 00:05:34.099 --> 00:05:35.019 It's as easy as that. 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:36.560 So, 00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:38.500 this blind man was a sinner 00:05:38.500 --> 00:05:40.599 from a family of sinners. 00:05:41.599 --> 00:05:42.819 So this family 00:05:42.819 --> 00:05:44.560 were on the edge 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:47.420 of the respectable sphere of life, 00:05:47.899 --> 00:05:49.539 the respectable social set. 00:05:52.420 --> 00:05:53.779 That's how people viewed them. 00:05:53.779 --> 00:05:55.679 But Jesus, 00:05:55.799 --> 00:05:56.459 in his response, 00:05:56.579 --> 00:05:57.459 cuts right across 00:05:57.459 --> 00:05:58.379 the cause and effect view 00:05:58.379 --> 00:05:59.000 with his answer. 00:05:59.379 --> 00:06:00.559 If you look in verse 3, 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:01.259 Jesus answers, 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:03.839 It was not that this man sinned 00:06:03.839 --> 00:06:05.000 or his parents, 00:06:06.159 --> 00:06:07.399 but that the works of God 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:08.719 might be displayed in him. 00:06:11.539 --> 00:06:13.779 Sin can lead to suffering, 00:06:13.859 --> 00:06:15.379 and we can see that in John 5.14. 00:06:15.479 --> 00:06:16.219 You can look these up later. 00:06:16.299 --> 00:06:16.799 Just write them down. 00:06:16.799 --> 00:06:18.339 1 Corinthians 11.30, 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:18.979 they're examples. 00:06:19.979 --> 00:06:20.959 A specific sin 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:22.699 can lead to specific suffering. 00:06:23.779 --> 00:06:24.779 Jesus doesn't take this 00:06:24.779 --> 00:06:25.719 off the board completely, 00:06:26.019 --> 00:06:27.139 but he does take it 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:27.519 off the board 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:28.359 as a general principle 00:06:28.359 --> 00:06:29.039 that you can then apply 00:06:29.039 --> 00:06:29.759 to everyone you see 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:30.199 that's suffering. 00:06:30.299 --> 00:06:30.799 Oh, there's got to be 00:06:30.799 --> 00:06:31.459 a sin behind it. 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:34.119 There are lots of reasons 00:06:34.119 --> 00:06:34.739 for suffering. 00:06:35.239 --> 00:06:35.839 This one, 00:06:35.959 --> 00:06:36.619 says Jesus, 00:06:36.799 --> 00:06:37.759 isn't about sin. 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:40.059 This man wasn't born blind 00:06:40.059 --> 00:06:41.099 because of sin. 00:06:42.139 --> 00:06:43.599 Not a specific sin, 00:06:43.659 --> 00:06:43.959 at least. 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:50.099 And as Alex kind of pointed out, 00:06:50.619 --> 00:06:51.059 there's a, 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:51.599 you know, 00:06:51.599 --> 00:06:52.899 what do we do with it then? 00:06:52.899 --> 00:06:54.759 Why was he born blind? 00:06:55.299 --> 00:06:56.479 Well, it's possible 00:06:56.479 --> 00:06:58.099 that when Jesus says, 00:06:58.259 --> 00:06:59.239 but that the works of God 00:06:59.239 --> 00:07:00.519 might be displayed in him, 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:02.139 it's possible that he's saying, 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:02.419 well, 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:03.879 he was actually born blind 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:04.719 so that I could actually 00:07:04.719 --> 00:07:05.519 heal him at this point 00:07:05.519 --> 00:07:06.639 and show God's glory. 00:07:08.079 --> 00:07:09.620 It's also possible, though, 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:11.319 that Jesus is actually saying, 00:07:11.899 --> 00:07:13.439 you're looking at this whole thing 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:14.139 the wrong way. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:16.019 The whole thing, 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:16.779 the whole paradigm 00:07:16.779 --> 00:07:18.659 that you're viewing the world through 00:07:18.659 --> 00:07:19.319 is wrong. 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:20.219 The whole paradigm 00:07:20.219 --> 00:07:21.040 that you're viewing me 00:07:21.040 --> 00:07:22.079 and my ministry through 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:22.959 is wrong. 00:07:25.300 --> 00:07:26.920 They are looking to condemn 00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:29.360 when they should be seeing, 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:30.319 as Jesus does, 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:32.560 an opportunity to save. 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:35.139 If you look at John 3, 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:36.699 verses 16 and 17, 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:38.079 for God so loved the world 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:39.219 that he gave his only son 00:07:39.219 --> 00:07:40.819 that whoever believed in him 00:07:40.819 --> 00:07:41.579 would not perish 00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:43.139 but have eternal life. 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:44.920 Then verse 17, 00:07:45.659 --> 00:07:47.039 for God did not come into the world 00:07:47.039 --> 00:07:48.199 to condemn the world 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:50.899 but to save the world through him. 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:53.879 Jesus didn't come into the world 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:54.599 to condemn the world 00:07:54.599 --> 00:07:55.620 but to save the world. 00:07:56.159 --> 00:07:57.339 They're looking at this whole thing 00:07:57.339 --> 00:07:57.779 the wrong way. 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:58.980 What God is doing right here, 00:07:59.039 --> 00:08:00.379 right now in Jesus' ministry 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:02.680 should be about saving, 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:03.480 rescuing, 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:05.340 pulling people out of the darkness 00:08:05.340 --> 00:08:06.080 into the light. 00:08:09.520 --> 00:08:11.420 That's exactly what this healing will do. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:12.860 It will reveal God. 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:13.939 This healing is symbolic. 00:08:14.400 --> 00:08:16.640 It's a signpost pointing to God at work. 00:08:20.620 --> 00:08:22.140 So the next question that comes up 00:08:22.140 --> 00:08:23.040 is how was he healed? 00:08:23.900 --> 00:08:25.360 And it gets a little bit of attention here. 00:08:25.460 --> 00:08:27.060 Again, Alex pointed that out. 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:29.439 John records that Jesus spat on the ground 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:30.680 and made mud with the saliva 00:08:30.680 --> 00:08:31.740 in verses 6 to 7. 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:34.200 Then he anointed the man's eyes with mud 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:34.779 and said to him, 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:36.320 Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:37.580 which means scent. 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:39.700 Why the mud? 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:43.240 Who knows? 00:08:44.139 --> 00:08:45.460 That's the best I can come up with 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:46.539 to answer the question 00:08:46.539 --> 00:08:47.799 that Alex posed for me to answer. 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:49.139 No idea. 00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:51.240 I do suspect though 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:52.379 with the amount of irony 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:54.200 and the amount of insults 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:55.299 and things being thrown around 00:08:55.299 --> 00:08:57.019 in this particular account, 00:08:57.019 --> 00:08:58.779 I do suspect 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:01.699 that Jesus does it 00:09:01.699 --> 00:09:02.620 to push the buttons 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:03.539 of the Pharisees. 00:09:05.100 --> 00:09:06.939 And I can't prove that. 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:08.600 But then again, 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:10.600 the other theories around it 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:11.879 are equally unprovable, 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:12.480 you know, 00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:13.079 speculative. 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:15.559 One thing we do know though 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:16.699 and one thing that does get an explanation 00:09:16.699 --> 00:09:17.439 is the pool. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:18.399 The pool is significant. 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:19.860 John tells us 00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:20.980 that its name means scent 00:09:20.980 --> 00:09:23.779 where Jesus is the scent one 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:24.840 in this gospel. 00:09:26.039 --> 00:09:26.940 It's an important name 00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:27.440 in the context 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:28.360 of what God has been doing 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:29.139 throughout history 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:31.440 and it's an important name 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:31.860 in the context 00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:33.060 of what's actually been happening 00:09:33.060 --> 00:09:35.120 very recently 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:36.300 in the gospel. 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:38.139 So in John 7, 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:39.460 verse 37 to 39, 00:09:39.680 --> 00:09:40.639 we're right at the end 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:41.860 of the Feast of the Tabernacles. 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:43.420 And in 7, 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.580 verses 37 to 39, 00:09:44.680 --> 00:09:46.039 Jesus actually interrupts 00:09:46.039 --> 00:09:47.420 this water-pouring ritual 00:09:47.420 --> 00:09:48.620 at the end of that feast. 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:49.980 He gets up and shouts, 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:52.060 if anyone thirsts, 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:54.180 let him come to me and drink. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:55.720 Whoever believes in me, 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:56.639 as the scripture has said, 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:57.539 out of his heart 00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:59.840 will flow rivers of living water. 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:04.019 Now the water 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:05.800 for that particular 00:10:05.800 --> 00:10:07.060 water-pouring ceremony 00:10:07.060 --> 00:10:08.519 was drawn 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:10.139 from the pool of Siloam. 00:10:11.060 --> 00:10:11.860 So yet again, 00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:13.480 Jesus is diverting their attention 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:15.039 from the things of the past 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:15.700 that they're celebrating 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:16.740 to say this is the time 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:18.100 of fulfillment here and now. 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:22.120 But further, 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:23.659 if we go back 00:10:23.659 --> 00:10:24.600 to Genesis 49, 00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:26.840 which is the passage 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:31.800 where each of the sons of Jacob 00:10:31.800 --> 00:10:36.860 are actually being blessed. 00:10:37.899 --> 00:10:39.960 In Genesis 49, verse 10, 00:10:40.440 --> 00:10:40.800 we read, 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:42.339 the scepter shall not depart 00:10:42.339 --> 00:10:42.939 from Judah, 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:44.539 nor the ruler's staff 00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:45.599 from between his feet, 00:10:45.979 --> 00:10:47.659 until tribute comes to him, 00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:49.279 and to him shall be 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:50.299 the obedience of the peoples. 00:10:51.579 --> 00:10:52.539 Now your versions probably 00:10:52.539 --> 00:10:53.979 have an alternate translation 00:10:53.979 --> 00:10:54.439 at the bottom. 00:10:55.439 --> 00:10:57.579 For the until tribute comes to him 00:10:57.579 --> 00:10:59.479 actually literally reads 00:10:59.479 --> 00:11:00.879 until Shiloh comes, 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:02.679 where Shiloh is Hebrew 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:03.939 for sent. 00:11:03.940 --> 00:11:06.900 This could be Jesus' way 00:11:06.900 --> 00:11:07.580 of actually explaining 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:08.060 who he is 00:11:08.060 --> 00:11:10.020 in the whole breadth 00:11:10.020 --> 00:11:11.900 of biblical theology, 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:12.700 of Bible history. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:15.740 He is the eternal ruler, 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:16.840 the one who the scepter 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:17.980 would not depart from, 00:11:18.300 --> 00:11:19.680 that Judah has been awaiting. 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:21.860 Jesus uses this miracle 00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:24.380 to reveal that God's work 00:11:24.380 --> 00:11:25.940 over thousands of years 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:29.160 all connects into him 00:11:29.160 --> 00:11:30.280 and his arrival. 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:32.299 It places Jesus 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:33.919 right at the centre of it. 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:37.679 These revelations about Jesus 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:39.259 are just waiting to be seen 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:40.519 and pondered 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:41.799 and understood, 00:11:42.699 --> 00:11:44.620 much in the same way 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:45.699 that the understanding 00:11:45.699 --> 00:11:46.839 of this blind man 00:11:46.839 --> 00:11:47.939 grows gradually 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:49.579 about who Jesus is 00:11:49.579 --> 00:11:50.480 throughout this account. 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:52.720 But we're getting ahead 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:53.179 of ourselves, 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:53.860 let's just stick with 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:54.579 where we are now. 00:11:55.199 --> 00:11:57.079 And the fact is here 00:11:57.079 --> 00:11:58.120 that the neighbours 00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:59.019 of the blind man 00:11:59.019 --> 00:12:00.539 cannot get over 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:01.419 the miracle that happens. 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:03.139 How could this happen? 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:05.480 It was such an unbelievable thing 00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:06.220 they couldn't even agree 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:06.860 that the healed man 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:07.319 before them 00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:08.139 was actually 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.659 the blind beggar they knew, 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:10.699 their next door neighbour. 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.460 And I love this part 00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:14.000 of the events 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.199 because it asks 00:12:15.199 --> 00:12:15.840 all the questions 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:16.519 I want to ask 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.159 about that miracle. 00:12:18.079 --> 00:12:19.659 Is it the same person 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:21.279 or was it just a mistake? 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:24.039 No, it's the same person. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:26.419 Well then, wow, 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:28.419 how were your eyes opened? 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:30.559 He says, 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:31.419 Jesus made mud 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:32.159 and told me to wash 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:32.740 at Siloam. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:36.019 At this point, 00:12:36.319 --> 00:12:37.539 the neighbours know 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:40.419 that you spit on the ground 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:41.100 and make mud 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:42.579 and rub it in someone's eyes. 00:12:42.579 --> 00:12:43.939 That does not heal 00:12:43.939 --> 00:12:44.799 a man born blind. 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:46.720 They know the pool 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:47.340 of Siloam 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:48.379 and whilst it's used 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.319 in specific rituals, 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.819 it is just water. 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:51.360 They know it 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:52.079 to be just water. 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:55.520 So for them, 00:12:56.180 --> 00:12:57.240 the significance lies 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:59.240 in who did this? 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.139 And so they ask 00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:01.720 that question, 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.460 where is he? 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.540 Where is this Jesus? 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:05.300 And the man born blind 00:13:05.300 --> 00:13:05.620 goes, well, 00:13:05.660 --> 00:13:06.280 I don't know. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.720 He doesn't even know 00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:08.320 what he looks like 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:08.820 at this point. 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:11.440 But in all of this, 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.120 things have changed 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.000 for the man born blind. 00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:14.160 He was the man 00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:15.259 who used to sit and beg. 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.960 He was this outcast sinner. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.140 But through this encounter 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:19.679 with Jesus, 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:21.460 he's becoming someone new. 00:13:24.039 --> 00:13:25.279 But there's no Jesus 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:26.399 to explain exactly 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.299 what's going on. 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:30.639 And something this big 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:32.379 needs explaining. 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:34.319 So, 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:36.939 they do what anyone would do. 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:39.100 They go to the spiritual authorities, 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:39.759 they know. 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.939 They didn't have Google, 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:44.480 so they went to the Pharisees. 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:46.600 And the big question they had 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:48.000 was who is responsible? 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:48.940 Even though they go 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:50.279 and delve into all the details 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:51.100 of the actual miracle 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:52.000 and how it happens, 00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:53.279 what they're really trying 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:54.139 to do is determine 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:56.279 is this from God or not? 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.379 Who is responsible? 00:14:00.460 --> 00:14:01.740 This miracle was too big 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.000 to ignore. 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:04.139 And this is kind of 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.159 the thought that's going around 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:07.500 in the friends of this guy's head, 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:09.120 neighbours of this guy's heads. 00:14:09.940 --> 00:14:11.559 Who could possibly do this? 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:12.899 Who is responsible? 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.059 So, 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:15.919 in verse 13, 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.120 they brought to the Pharisees 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.940 the man who had formerly 00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:18.740 been born blind. 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:20.159 And now we discover 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:21.840 that it was a Sabbath day 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:22.860 when Jesus made the mud 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.720 and opened his eyes. 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:24.899 So, 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:26.159 the Pharisees again asked him 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:27.440 how he received his sight 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:28.120 and he said to them, 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.799 he put mud on my eyes 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:30.779 and I washed 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:31.899 and I see. 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:33.899 Now, 00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:34.460 the Pharisees, 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:35.279 in terms of understanding 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:35.720 the law 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:37.580 and the things of God, 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.399 they were kind of 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:39.259 at the top of the pile. 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:41.080 They're the spiritual elite 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:41.759 in this community 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:43.279 and embedded in this exchange 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:44.039 is the information 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:45.200 that the Pharisees need 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:46.220 to make their decision 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:47.399 from their perspective. 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.460 Who is responsible? 00:14:50.319 --> 00:14:50.759 Well, 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:51.559 straight away, 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:52.500 a number of them 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.019 start to think, 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:53.759 not God. 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:56.340 Jesus can't be. 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.759 He can't be 00:14:58.759 --> 00:14:59.659 from their God 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:02.080 because he doesn't keep 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:02.939 their rules 00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:04.120 about the Sabbath. 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:05.460 Now, 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:05.899 note here, 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.240 there is no rule 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:08.019 in God's law 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:08.779 against anything 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:09.460 that Jesus did 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:10.019 at this point. 00:15:12.420 --> 00:15:13.780 What they're referring to 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:14.940 is the extra laws 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:15.620 that they'd added 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:16.340 to the law. 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:18.639 So, 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.660 it was their rules, 00:15:19.780 --> 00:15:20.759 not God's rules, 00:15:21.280 --> 00:15:22.240 that Jesus had broken. 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:25.139 Rules that they had added 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:26.220 to establish 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:27.600 and to make clear 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.820 their own personal value 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:29.639 to prevent them 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.519 from sinning anymore. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:32.620 Initially, 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.620 there was some disagreement 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.019 among them. 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:34.720 Some of them were saying, 00:15:34.800 --> 00:15:34.860 well, 00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:35.639 he's a sinner 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:36.240 and others were saying, 00:15:36.300 --> 00:15:36.360 well, 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:36.920 how can a sinner 00:15:36.920 --> 00:15:37.960 do things like this? 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.759 But ultimately, 00:15:41.800 --> 00:15:43.180 they were using 00:15:43.180 --> 00:15:43.820 different lenses 00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:44.460 at this point. 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.200 Some began 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:45.700 with their own 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:46.240 Sabbath rules 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.860 and others began 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:47.460 with a miracle 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.600 and worked in 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:49.580 to try and work out 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.180 who it was. 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.519 And they desperately 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.379 needed to resolve 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:52.879 this division 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.600 because it was 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:54.259 dividing them. 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.300 And they couldn't 00:15:55.300 --> 00:15:55.639 have that. 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:56.060 It represented 00:15:56.060 --> 00:15:57.139 a break in their ranks, 00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.180 a break in how 00:15:58.180 --> 00:15:59.139 they actually achieve 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.240 and understand 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.000 personal value 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.680 to be achieved, 00:16:02.280 --> 00:16:03.519 how they maintain 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.040 their pride, 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:04.460 their dignity, 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:05.180 their respect, 00:16:05.660 --> 00:16:06.300 their status 00:16:06.300 --> 00:16:07.580 over everyone else 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:08.460 in their society. 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.460 If they depart 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:10.980 from the law 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:11.600 at this point 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:12.960 and their additions 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:13.500 to it, 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:16.560 then they diminish. 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.400 And if Jesus 00:16:20.400 --> 00:16:21.300 becomes a competing 00:16:21.300 --> 00:16:21.860 voice, 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:24.120 then they lose 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:24.940 ground in their 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:25.340 community. 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.940 So the Pharisees 00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:28.920 review the evidence 00:16:28.920 --> 00:16:29.740 but notice that they 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.440 review the evidence 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:31.759 not unbiased. 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.740 They're very biased 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:34.820 the way they review it. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:35.940 They ask the man 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:36.440 his opinion 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:37.780 in verse 17. 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.919 Who do you think 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:39.360 he is? 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:41.220 Straight back. 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:41.899 He's a prophet. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.319 Now things really 00:16:45.319 --> 00:16:46.019 have escalated 00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:46.659 because if this is 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:47.459 allowed to stand, 00:16:48.199 --> 00:16:49.279 then Jesus really 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:50.899 does begin to 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:51.740 compete with them. 00:16:52.439 --> 00:16:53.120 And how can they 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:54.199 compete with a man 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:55.579 who can heal 00:16:55.579 --> 00:16:57.100 a man born blind? 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:00.240 So they bring in 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:00.860 some other people 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:01.600 to try and bolster 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.339 and check things out 00:17:02.339 --> 00:17:02.720 and make sure there 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.720 are no loopholes here. 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:04.660 They bring in their 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.319 parents in verses 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:06.079 18 to 23 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:06.399 and they say, 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.119 is this your son? 00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:07.819 They say, yes. 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.899 Was he born blind? 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:09.359 Yes. 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.599 How does he now see? 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.599 We don't know. 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:16.799 Now John gives us 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.759 some important context 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.259 at this point. 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:19.279 In verse 22 to 23 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:19.939 he explains that 00:17:19.939 --> 00:17:21.000 his parents said 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.419 these things 00:17:21.419 --> 00:17:22.099 because they feared 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:22.639 the Jews. 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:23.599 For the Jews 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:24.319 had already agreed 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:24.799 that if anyone 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.720 should confess 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.879 Jesus to be the Christ, 00:17:27.699 --> 00:17:28.419 he was to be put 00:17:28.419 --> 00:17:29.000 out of the synagogue. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:32.200 the Pharisees 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.420 were already known 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.539 to be against Jesus 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:36.339 and the parents 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.019 were already 00:17:37.019 --> 00:17:38.000 on the outside 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:40.539 because they were 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.480 perceived as sinners. 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:42.900 The fact that their 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:43.680 son was born blind 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:44.559 was a point of shame 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:44.940 for them 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:46.720 because this was 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:47.559 the prevailing theology. 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:49.019 Sin leads to suffering. 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:50.420 Admitting it again 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.019 in public life 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:51.720 is being drawn 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.980 into what would have 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.099 been a very public trial 00:17:55.099 --> 00:17:56.119 was just rubbing 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:56.779 their noses 00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:57.319 in the fact that 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.440 they were on the outside. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.859 It's equivalent 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:02.759 to just being shown 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.440 up as sinners 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.539 again and again. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.660 And they'd lived 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:07.220 under the weight 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:07.779 of this theology 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.539 for years 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:09.099 at least since 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:10.019 their child was born. 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.299 They were sinners. 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.480 They knew there was 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:14.099 no way back. 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:15.640 Just a daily reminder. 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.700 No wonder they caved 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:21.000 when they were pressed 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.200 to make an opinion 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:22.460 about, 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:23.140 form an opinion 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:23.720 about Jesus. 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.359 So at this point 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:27.880 they come back 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:28.839 to the man born blind. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:31.960 Come back to the man 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:33.279 in verses 24 to 34 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:33.940 and there's a really 00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:35.079 interesting exchange here 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:35.759 and right in the middle 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.880 of it things take 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.619 a huge turn. 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:39.799 They come back 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:40.079 to the man 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.460 and they say 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:41.720 give glory to God. 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:43.059 Now just so you know 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:43.799 what that means 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:45.220 it's basically saying 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:46.240 now tell us the truth. 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:47.799 Give glory to God 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.940 is a kind of 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.500 I guess 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.279 a sort of 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.160 phrase 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.859 that equated 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:52.779 for what we would call 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:54.359 being under oath 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:54.839 in court. 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:56.399 that's all it's about. 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:56.859 So he's saying 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:58.199 tell us the truth 00:18:58.199 --> 00:19:00.480 and there's no question 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:02.039 there's just a statement. 00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:04.240 We know this man 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:04.879 is a sinner. 00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:08.539 No question. 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.639 Just their verdict 00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:12.019 on who healed him. 00:19:13.179 --> 00:19:13.759 In a nutshell 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.240 they're saying 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:15.379 God is not in it 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:17.520 and what they're 00:19:17.520 --> 00:19:18.320 trying to force 00:19:18.320 --> 00:19:19.140 this man to do 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:21.000 is to make a choice 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:22.760 between them 00:19:22.760 --> 00:19:24.260 and Jesus. 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:30.660 Well 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:32.560 the man responds 00:19:32.560 --> 00:19:32.900 he says 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.840 look I have no idea 00:19:33.840 --> 00:19:34.400 about whether he's 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:35.040 a sinner or not 00:19:35.040 --> 00:19:36.920 but one thing 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.800 I do know 00:19:37.800 --> 00:19:39.820 that though I was blind 00:19:39.820 --> 00:19:42.060 now I see. 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:45.020 The man bypasses 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.539 the sin debate 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:46.059 and gets back 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.559 to the point 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.639 if you are right 00:19:47.639 --> 00:19:48.579 then please explain 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.759 how he healed me. 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.339 And they can't 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:52.099 their own theology 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:52.700 suggests that 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:53.779 Jesus must be of God 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.819 because only people 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:56.139 who were in God's favour 00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:56.980 could do these things 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.839 and as we read 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:59.240 through what the man 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:00.119 says back to them 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.079 he's actually really 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:02.059 quoting their theology 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.700 back to them. 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.319 We know that 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:04.900 in verse 31 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:05.660 we know that God 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.759 does not listen to sinners 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:08.359 but if anyone 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:09.259 is a worshipper of God 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:09.839 and does his will 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.859 God listens to him. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.279 Never since the world 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.180 began has it been heard 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:13.900 that anyone opened 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.519 the eyes of a man 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.079 born blind. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.220 He's quoting 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:18.759 their theology 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.400 back to them 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.480 and they are stuck. 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.859 They have no way 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:23.779 to deal with this. 00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:26.839 Only a truly godly man 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.799 could do this miracle. 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.940 And they ask him again 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:32.639 they try and point 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:34.000 towards the sin 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:35.299 behaviour in Jesus. 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:37.980 Ah, but how did he make 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:38.519 you know 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:39.519 how did he heal you again? 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.720 Ah, he made mud. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:46.940 Ah, he doesn't actually 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.319 say that 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:47.579 but that's what 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:47.960 they're trying to 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:49.180 draw out. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.759 He answers them 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.240 at that point 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:54.259 look I've told you 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.500 already 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.900 and you wouldn't 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:55.200 listen. 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.120 Why do you want 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.740 to hear it again? 00:20:57.100 --> 00:20:57.799 Do you also want 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:58.799 to become his disciples? 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.980 I've got to suggest here 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.720 that this is actually 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.860 mischief making here. 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:03.940 He's starting to realise 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.500 these guys 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.720 are just so stuck 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.220 in their ways 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:06.839 they're not prepared 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:07.379 to see 00:21:07.379 --> 00:21:08.419 what's right 00:21:08.419 --> 00:21:08.980 in front of them. 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:12.539 This man was born blind 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.619 but now he could see. 00:21:13.879 --> 00:21:14.659 He has met Jesus. 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.599 He has been healed. 00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:16.639 He has listened to people 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:17.519 try and rubbish Jesus 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.519 and has only convinced him 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.199 of the truth. 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:22.639 And so he chose Jesus. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.819 Do you want 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:26.019 to become his disciples too? 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.500 The Pharisees 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.039 could only respond 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:32.559 by coming back 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.240 to their rules. 00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:35.419 They kept judging God 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:36.599 by their expectations. 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:37.480 Their standards. 00:21:37.639 --> 00:21:38.439 Their way of life. 00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:40.219 The law was their way of life. 00:21:40.439 --> 00:21:41.279 It was how they built 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:42.139 their self-esteem. 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.779 Their pride. 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.519 Their reputation. 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.980 So often it's the same 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.519 for us. 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.619 Our conduct 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:50.759 is what we rely on 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.839 to build our reputation. 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:55.059 But this Jesus 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:56.159 told them the truth. 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.079 Their way 00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:58.859 wasn't working. 00:21:59.379 --> 00:22:00.059 Any sin 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:01.319 was a sign 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.619 of slavery to sin. 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.659 Jesus says 00:22:03.659 --> 00:22:04.399 in chapter 8. 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.960 The law 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:07.340 was a diagnostic tool 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:08.960 not a rescue plan. 00:22:09.360 --> 00:22:09.800 Jesus 00:22:09.800 --> 00:22:11.120 is the rescue plan. 00:22:13.280 --> 00:22:14.280 Let me say this again. 00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:14.820 The law 00:22:14.820 --> 00:22:16.519 is not a diagnostic tool. 00:22:16.780 --> 00:22:18.840 Is a diagnostic tool 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:20.360 not a rescue plan. 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:23.259 You cannot resolve 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.800 the issues 00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:24.480 that we face 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.380 as human beings 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:26.720 from the outside in 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:28.080 with a rule oriented approach. 00:22:28.280 --> 00:22:29.480 You just cannot do it. 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:32.319 I know as a parent 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:32.680 of my children 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.980 I saw my sister 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.360 do this 00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:35.079 when I was visiting her 00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:35.920 over Christmas time 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:37.220 with her kids. 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:37.740 Her kids are a bit 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.299 younger than ours. 00:22:38.620 --> 00:22:39.380 But I can remember 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.480 what it was like 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.160 to try and impose 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:41.980 rules on your kids. 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:43.279 You don't hit each other. 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.120 That's one of the rules. 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:44.880 That's a fair rule 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:45.319 as a parent 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.819 to impose on your children. 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.360 And so when one of your children 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.299 hits another child 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.539 well you've got to deal 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.180 with it don't you? 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.059 And so you have a rule 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:52.880 to deal with that as well. 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:54.160 Okay you must say sorry. 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:55.860 And so you get one 00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:57.519 the child that hit 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.120 to say sorry 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:59.019 to the child that was hit. 00:22:59.719 --> 00:23:00.759 And even the child 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.759 that was hit can tell 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:04.319 that they're not really sorry. 00:23:05.699 --> 00:23:07.199 But frankly as parents 00:23:07.199 --> 00:23:08.099 we've done our job 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:08.599 haven't we? 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:10.299 One child hit another 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.019 we've got them to say 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:12.119 sorry job done. 00:23:13.459 --> 00:23:13.879 Really? 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.459 No chance. 00:23:18.459 --> 00:23:19.799 We cannot regulate 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:21.139 the issues that we face 00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:22.779 by going from the outside in. 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:26.379 Everyone needs saving. 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:28.940 Jesus is that saviour. 00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:31.460 But these men 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.880 they were in the business 00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:33.440 of limiting 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.920 and concealing their sin. 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.680 They added to the law 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:38.320 to try and limit 00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:39.920 and cover over 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:41.120 what was going on. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.180 They built up 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:44.360 these walls around them 00:23:44.360 --> 00:23:44.860 of law 00:23:44.860 --> 00:23:47.280 to try and look respectable. 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:49.700 But in their hearts 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.940 they were the same 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:52.120 as everyone else around them. 00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:56.859 because of their method though 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:58.679 they didn't want a Messiah 00:23:58.679 --> 00:23:59.859 who would reveal their sin. 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.839 So they said no 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:03.179 to God 00:24:03.179 --> 00:24:04.599 with us. 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.399 Emmanuel. 00:24:08.199 --> 00:24:09.299 Never since before 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:09.939 the world began 00:24:09.939 --> 00:24:10.500 has it been heard 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.219 that anyone opened 00:24:11.219 --> 00:24:12.299 the eyes of a man 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:12.859 born blind. 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.639 To paraphrase 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:18.559 the man that was healed 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:18.939 is saying 00:24:18.939 --> 00:24:20.479 are you guys crazy? 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:24.420 Throughout all of this 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.099 the man just keeps 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:26.180 growing in his faith. 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.700 He just keeps seeing 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.680 Jesus more clearly 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.720 and the Pharisees 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.440 have no answer 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:31.460 so they cast him out. 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.680 They stuck with their plan. 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:34.599 Why? 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:37.140 Because this miserable sinner 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:38.220 was going too far. 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.599 In verse 34 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.160 they answered him 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:42.019 you were born 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.960 in utter sin. 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.220 They put him back 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.839 in the category 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:46.299 that Jesus is rescuing him from. 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.660 And they just 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.700 close ranks on him. 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:52.920 Their world 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.680 revolved around 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.480 a plan that relied 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.200 on their efforts. 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.880 Jesus was threatening 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:57.839 to turn their world 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.500 upside down. 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.599 He was giving hope 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:01.259 even to outcasts 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.039 to sinners. 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.019 And they were under 00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:06.360 the illusion 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:07.319 that they were in control. 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:11.440 People really believe 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.860 that they can influence 00:25:12.860 --> 00:25:13.700 things that are 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.420 out of their control. 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.460 This is actually 00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:17.099 a scientifically proven fact. 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:20.359 in the 1970s. 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.399 This is a long time ago now. 00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:22.319 The 1970s. 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:24.019 A researcher from UCLA 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.879 called Ellen Langer 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:26.219 actually demonstrated this. 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.019 She demonstrated 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.639 a principle 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.399 that she called 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:30.279 the illusion of control. 00:25:30.959 --> 00:25:31.339 Let me give you 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:31.939 a simple example 00:25:31.939 --> 00:25:32.480 of one of her 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:34.079 research projects. 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:35.699 She got people 00:25:35.699 --> 00:25:37.980 to invest in the lottery 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:40.299 and study their expectations 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.659 as they invested 00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:42.079 in the lottery. 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:43.299 And she found 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:43.639 that people 00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:44.579 who buy a lottery ticket 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.599 where they choose 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.220 the numbers 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:47.839 believe they are 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.759 more likely to win 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:50.099 than those 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.240 who were assigned 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.220 random numbers. 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.279 If we have 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:55.339 any involvement 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.259 in a process 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:59.079 we begin to think 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:00.759 much more strongly 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.879 that we actually 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:02.759 have some element 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.259 of control. 00:26:03.399 --> 00:26:04.000 We're more likely 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.419 to win. 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.859 Even though 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.559 it's all random. 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.879 This belief 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.500 is so strong 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.199 that advertisers 00:26:10.199 --> 00:26:10.960 and sales people 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.720 have been using 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.380 this trade in us 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:13.000 to manipulate us 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.660 for decades. 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.500 The law offers 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.920 an illusion of control 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:20.799 and Jesus offers 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.680 the painful truth 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:24.980 and yet with it 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.940 he offers us hope. 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.840 But we won't 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.500 come to him. 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.360 We won't see 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:32.900 that hope 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:34.840 unless we see 00:26:34.840 --> 00:26:35.340 the truth. 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:38.920 What do you see? 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:44.019 In these events 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.720 the man born blind 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.500 was back where 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:45.819 he started 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.880 perhaps even worse off. 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:47.579 He was kicked 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.220 out of the synagogue. 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:48.920 He was branded 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.340 a sinner. 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.940 When Jesus 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:53.600 hears what happened 00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:54.500 he sought him out 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.059 and he filled in 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:55.740 the missing pieces 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.120 for him. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.160 Jesus answered 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.740 the man's 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.620 burning question 00:26:58.620 --> 00:27:00.440 about who 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:01.059 is behind 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.720 all of this. 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:03.860 He explains 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:05.180 who healed him. 00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:06.740 He actually 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:09.420 does it 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:09.920 a little bit 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.279 cryptically 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:10.620 but he says 00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:11.259 do you believe 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.079 in the son of man 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:13.039 where the son of man 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:14.200 was from the vision 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.720 of Daniel. 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.799 It was the revelation 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:17.220 of God in human form. 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.380 Do you believe 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:20.120 in the son of man? 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:20.940 And he answers 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:22.480 and who is he sir 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.180 that I may believe 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:23.579 in him? 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.759 Not wanting a 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.420 description of what 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.440 the son of man is 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:28.579 but an identity. 00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:29.779 Point him out 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:31.599 and I will go to him. 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:34.379 Jesus said to him 00:27:34.379 --> 00:27:35.179 you have seen him 00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:35.559 and it is he 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.139 who is speaking 00:27:36.139 --> 00:27:36.619 to you. 00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.819 The man responds 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.219 in faith 00:27:39.219 --> 00:27:40.939 Lord I believe 00:27:40.939 --> 00:27:43.359 and he worshipped 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:43.619 him. 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:49.159 He knew what it 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:49.879 was to be a sinner. 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.619 He was still 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.519 seen as a sinner 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.139 by the spiritual 00:27:53.139 --> 00:27:53.699 leaders of 00:27:53.699 --> 00:27:55.159 his community. 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.019 He knew 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.679 the incredible 00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.679 burden of the law. 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.779 All his life 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.279 he had lived 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.799 under the weight 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.200 of sin. 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.899 He was born blind 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:07.220 but for the first 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.599 time he could 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:09.039 see. 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.379 Some of you 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.240 may know a man 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:15.819 called Charles 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.139 Wesley. 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.240 Charles Wesley 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:18.879 was a good man. 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.399 He knew the 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.099 Bible well. 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:22.980 He studied it 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.319 daily. 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.420 He lived his 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.099 life by it 00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:26.740 for years. 00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:27.799 He was one 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.279 of the leaders 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:28.859 of a Christian 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:29.700 movement called 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.379 the Methodists. 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:32.460 He was 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:32.980 admired, 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:34.019 almost feared 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.680 for his 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:34.960 zeal. 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.539 He could 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.599 actually quote 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.180 these words 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:41.259 and I'm going 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:41.519 to quote 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:43.720 from a hymn 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.000 called 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.519 And Can It 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:44.759 Be. 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.480 He actually 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.599 wrote this 00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:49.220 hymn once he 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:49.920 understood it, 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.379 once he could 00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:51.339 actually see 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.519 who he was. 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.000 He spent his 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.119 life trying to 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:54.859 purge himself 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:56.779 of sin and 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.420 he did such a 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.079 good job of it. 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.740 He was seen 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.159 as one of the 00:28:59.159 --> 00:29:00.299 best Christian 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:00.879 men around. 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:03.759 But it 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.720 wasn't until 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.259 he could truly 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.659 see, 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:07.399 until he could 00:29:07.399 --> 00:29:07.980 truly see 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:09.579 Jesus that 00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:09.859 he wrote 00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:10.480 these words. 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:12.279 Has 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:16.480 been 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.059 since 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:20.599 the 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.019 quickening 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.299 ray 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.640 I woke 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:24.059 the dungeon 00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:25.240 flamed with light. 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:27.579 My chains fell off. 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:29.339 My heart was free. 00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:34.220 I rose, went forth, and followed thee. 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:40.019 Friends, can you see? 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:43.799 Can you see this Jesus? 00:29:46.679 --> 00:29:47.720 Let me pray. 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:53.059 How can it be that we should gain an interest 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:55.059 in our Saviour's blood? 00:29:57.019 --> 00:30:01.059 Lord, the fact that he died for us 00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:02.059 who caused his pain, 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:06.299 pursued us to the point of death. 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:08.179 What amazing love. 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:11.859 Lord, we ask the question, 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:14.799 how can it be that you, my God, should die for me? 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:16.460 But we thank you so much 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:19.819 that this was your rescue plan. 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:22.220 We're sinners in need of salvation. 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:26.039 Thank you, Lord, for rescuing us. 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:28.319 And Lord, for those of us here who haven't yet 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:31.339 seen Jesus this way, 00:30:31.419 --> 00:30:34.399 haven't actually recognised the salvation that he offers, 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:38.480 Lord, I ask that you would show yourself to them. 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:41.879 Show them not just the historical Jesus, 00:30:42.879 --> 00:30:44.799 not just the Jesus of justification, 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:46.539 the one who died in our place, 00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:50.879 but the Jesus we all desperately need. 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.819 I pray this in Jesus' name. 00:30:55.659 --> 00:30:55.960 Amen.