WEBVTT

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 Good morning, church.

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 Glad to have you here on the live stream.

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 It's good to see you all and be seen by you all this morning.

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 Our sermon text today is John chapter 9.

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 John chapter 9.

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 Go ahead and turn there if you have a Bible with you.

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 I'm going to pray for us, and then I'll read John chapter 9.

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 Let's pray together.

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 Father, as the psalmist prayed, we pray this morning that you would open our eyes,

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 that we may behold wondrous things out of your word.

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 By your spirit, we pray that you would allow us to see with the eyes of faith

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 the wonder and truth of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 And in seeing him, Father, may we worship him this morning.

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 And in worshiping him, may we become more like him.

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 And in becoming like him, would we know true and lasting joy.

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 Father, we pray this in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Well, let me read for us John chapter 9.

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 And he, that is Jesus, passed by.

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 He saw a man blind from birth.

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 And the disciples asked him,

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 Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?

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 Jesus answered,

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 It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

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 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day.

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 Night is coming when no one can work.

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 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

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 Having said these things, Jesus spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva.

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 Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him,

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 Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, which means sent.

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 So he went and washed and came back seeing.

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 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying,

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 Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?

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 Some said, It is he.

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 Others said, No, but he is like him.

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 He kept saying, I am the man.

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 So they said to him, Then how were your eyes opened?

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 He answered, The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me,

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 Go to Siloam and wash.

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 So I went and washed and received my sight.

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 They said to him, Where is he?

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 He said, I don't know.

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 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.

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 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.

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 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight.

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 And he said to them, He put mud on my eyes and I washed and I see.

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 Some of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.

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 But others said, How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?

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 And there was a division among them.

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 So they said again to the blind man, What do you say about him since he has opened your eyes?

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 He said, He is a prophet.

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 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked him,

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 Is this your son who you say was born blind?

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 How then does he now see?

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 His parents answered, We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.

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 But how he now sees, we do not know.

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 Nor do we know who opened his eyes.

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 Ask him.

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 He is of age.

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 He will speak for himself.

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 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews.

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 For the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.

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 Therefore, his parents said, He is of age.

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 Ask him.

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 So for the second time, they called the man who had been blind and said to him,

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 Give glory to God.

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 We know that this man is a sinner.

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 He answered, Whether he is a sinner, I do not know.

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 Now, one thing I do know, though I was blind, now I see.

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 They said to him, What did he do to you?

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 How did he open your eyes?

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 He answered them, I have told you already and you would not listen.

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 Why do you want to hear it again?

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 Do you also want to become his disciples?

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 And they reviled him, saying, You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.

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 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.

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 The man answered, Why, this is an amazing thing.

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 You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes.

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 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.

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 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.

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 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.

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 They answered him, You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?

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 And they cast him out.

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 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him, he said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?

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 He answered, And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?

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 Jesus said to him, You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.

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 He said, Lord, I believe.

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 And he worshipped him.

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 Jesus said, For judgment I came into this world,

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 that those who do not see may see,

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 and those who see may become blind.

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 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things and said to him,

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 Are we also blind?

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 Jesus said to them,

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 If you were blind, you would have no guilt.

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 But now that you say we see, your guilt remains.

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 So, there you are,

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 sleeping in comfortably on a Saturday morning,

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 when suddenly,

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 mom or dad,

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 or your spouse,

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 or your roommate,

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 walks into the room,

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 pulls back your Ikea room darkening curtains,

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 and says with a smile,

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 Time to get up!

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 And the light that comes flooding through the window

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 into your comfortable, sleepy Saturday morning

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 is so bright,

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 so sudden,

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 so overwhelming,

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 that for a moment,

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 you can't see a thing.

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 You are, as they say,

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 blinded by the light.

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 Jesus, again, in our passage,

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 calls himself, in verse 5,

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 the light of the world.

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 And as we see,

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 as this passage unfolds,

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 that this light that Jesus is

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 has a two-fold effect.

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 On the one hand,

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 Jesus causes the blind to see.

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 But on the other hand,

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 like the curtains being torn open

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 on your lazy Saturday,

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 Jesus also causes the seeing

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 to become blind.

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 And at the heart of the passage

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 is this question.

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 Coming face-to-face with Jesus,

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 will we humbly admit

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 our spiritual blindness

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 and receive sight?

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 Or will we proudly say

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 that we see just fine

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 without Him

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 and so remain blind?

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 So this is our outline.

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 This is our sermon today.

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 Jesus makes the blind to see,

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 and He makes the seeing blind.

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 So let's look at the first part

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 of that then.

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 Jesus being the light of the world,

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 because He's the light of the world,

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 the blind are made to see.

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 Now in the first seven verses

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 of the chapter,

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 John recounts Jesus' healing

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 of this man born blind.

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 But notice how the disciples,

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 notice how the disciples

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 want to explain

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 the man's disability.

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 How do they do that?

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 Well, they say there must be,

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 there must be some particular sin

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 that caused this.

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 Either this man himself

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 sinned in the womb,

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 which some Jews at the time

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 believed could be possible,

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 or maybe they think

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 his parents sinned in some way,

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 and that's why he's blind.

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 But notice that Jesus

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 rejects this line of thinking.

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 Now of course,

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 sickness and disability

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 and death

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 were not how God

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 created the world to be.

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 all of those things

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 flooded into God's good creation

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 because of the fall.

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 So in a very general sense,

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 we can say that sickness

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 and disability and death

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 and brokenness and decay,

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 all of those things in the world

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 are a result of sin in general,

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 capital S sin, the fall.

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 But to point to a particular

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 individual instance of sin

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 as a cause of a particular

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 individual instance of suffering,

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 Jesus says,

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 no,

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 that's not how this works.

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 Notice what he says.

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 He says,

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 it was not that this man sinned

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 or his parents,

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 but

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 that the works of God

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 might be displayed in him.

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 In other words,

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 this man's blindness

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 was not a sign

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 that he was a greater sinner

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 than other people.

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 No, in fact,

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 this man's blindness

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 was going to be

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 the very place

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 where God's glory

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 shone through his life.

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 Now, pause there

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 for a moment with me.

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 Do you hear what Jesus is saying?

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 Our places

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 of greatest weakness

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 and vulnerability,

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 that's where God's glory

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 just might shine

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 through our lives

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 the brightest.

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 I wonder,

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 where do you feel

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 weak

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 or vulnerable

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 or low

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 this morning?

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 Maybe like the man

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 in this passage,

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 it's a physical limitation

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 or disability,

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 or perhaps it's

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 an emotional weakness

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 or vulnerability.

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 Maybe it's something

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 in your history

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 or in your family.

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 Rather than ignoring

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 or denying

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 that reality

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 in your life,

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 rather than being

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 constantly afflicted

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 with the shame

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 because of it,

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 Jesus says,

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 that's where my glory

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 will shine through.

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 Right there.

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 Right where you know,

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 right in that place

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 where you admit

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 that you don't have

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 it all together,

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 right there

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 in your weakness.

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 That's where my beauty

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 will shine forth.

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 But at first,

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 it gets a little messy,

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 doesn't it?

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 Jesus heals this man

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 in a very curious way.

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 Now, think about it.

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 Jesus,

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 and we've seen this

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 in the gospel so far,

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 Jesus could have just

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 spoken a word

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 and this man could have seen.

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 But instead,

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 what does Jesus do?

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 He spits on the ground,

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 he makes some mud,

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 and then he smears it

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 in the man's closed eyes.

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 What is going on here?

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 Now, some have thought perhaps

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 that Jesus is intentionally

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 provoking another Sabbath

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 controversy with the Pharisees.

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 As we find out in a few verses,

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 all of this is happening

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 on the Sabbath day.

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 And again,

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 according to Jewish tradition,

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 things like kneading

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 or anointing or healing,

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 these things,

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 they weren't allowed

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 on the Sabbath

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 according to the passed down

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 sort of religious traditions.

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 So perhaps Jesus wants

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 to force the issue

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 of his identity

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 yet again

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 with the religious authorities

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 by healing this man

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 in this sort of strange way.

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 Or maybe the reason

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 Jesus heals this way,

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 some have thought,

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 is because he's actually

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 hearkening back

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 to the Genesis account.

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 Do you remember?

00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:03.359
 God created humanity

00:12:03.359 --> 00:12:03.899
 from what?

00:12:03.939 --> 00:12:05.199
 From the dust of the ground

00:12:05.199 --> 00:12:06.500
 in Genesis 2.

00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.359
 So perhaps here,

00:12:09.459 --> 00:12:11.019
 Jesus is sort of reenacting

00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:12.859
 this creation story

00:12:12.859 --> 00:12:13.719
 as if to say

00:12:13.719 --> 00:12:15.719
 that he is the creator

00:12:15.719 --> 00:12:17.039
 come to restore

00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:17.879
 and recreate

00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:18.899
 his fallen world.

00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:20.559
 He created humanity

00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:21.120
 out of the dirt

00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:21.600
 of the ground

00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:22.259
 and now he's going

00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:23.279
 to recreate us

00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:24.299
 out of the dirt

00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:24.899
 of the ground.

00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:27.559
 It's hard to know

00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.240
 exactly what Jesus

00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:28.860
 had in mind,

00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:31.019
 but I think two things

00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:31.879
 here are pretty certain.

00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:34.299
 What Jesus does here

00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:35.559
 first is very personal

00:12:35.559 --> 00:12:37.819
 and it's,

00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:38.559
 as we said,

00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:39.240
 a little messy.

00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:42.259
 in order for Jesus

00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.519
 to bring this man

00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:45.180
 from blindness to sight,

00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:46.740
 in order for this man's

00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:47.879
 place of greatest weakness

00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.639
 to be the place

00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:49.299
 where God's glory

00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:50.539
 flood through his life,

00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:53.220
 the man has to be open

00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:55.440
 to the uncomfortable touch

00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:57.019
 of his master's hand.

00:12:59.700 --> 00:13:01.220
 The man has to be willing

00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:02.279
 to humble himself.

00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:05.639
 And what we find

00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.240
 is he is.

00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.480
 Mud in his eyes,

00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:10.120
 he goes to the pool

00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:11.500
 and he washes

00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:13.459
 and he comes back seeing.

00:13:16.439 --> 00:13:17.500
 And the question put

00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.199
 before us, friends,

00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:19.079
 is the same thing.

00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:21.259
 Are we willing

00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:23.199
 to humble ourselves

00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:24.779
 before Jesus

00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:27.159
 even if it means

00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:28.100
 getting a little messy

00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:28.939
 in the process?

00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:31.260
 Even if the way

00:13:31.260 --> 00:13:31.900
 in which Jesus

00:13:31.900 --> 00:13:32.640
 wants to do

00:13:32.640 --> 00:13:33.580
 his unique work

00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.200
 in our life

00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:35.420
 isn't what we expected

00:13:35.420 --> 00:13:36.500
 and isn't quite

00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:38.420
 what we might explain.

00:13:43.680 --> 00:13:44.660
 Now, as we consider

00:13:44.660 --> 00:13:45.260
 what that might mean

00:13:45.260 --> 00:13:46.120
 for us to bring

00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:47.140
 even our deepest weakness

00:13:47.140 --> 00:13:47.680
 and vulnerability

00:13:47.680 --> 00:13:48.360
 to Jesus,

00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:49.680
 to see that those

00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:50.320
 are the places

00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:51.000
 where his glory

00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:51.520
 might shine

00:13:51.520 --> 00:13:52.120
 through the brightest,

00:13:52.520 --> 00:13:53.520
 notice two things

00:13:53.520 --> 00:13:55.240
 about this passage.

00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.300
 Notice two applications

00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:57.020
 here, as it were,

00:13:57.040 --> 00:13:58.180
 of our first big point.

00:13:58.940 --> 00:13:59.800
 First, notice,

00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:01.360
 notice the compassionate

00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:03.540
 urgency of Jesus here.

00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:04.800
 Look again at verses

00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.560
 four and five.

00:14:05.900 --> 00:14:06.280
 Jesus says,

00:14:06.380 --> 00:14:07.140
 we must work

00:14:07.140 --> 00:14:08.300
 the works of him

00:14:08.300 --> 00:14:08.880
 who sent me

00:14:08.880 --> 00:14:09.580
 while it is day.

00:14:09.900 --> 00:14:10.680
 Night is coming

00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:11.760
 when no one can work

00:14:11.760 --> 00:14:13.000
 as long as I am in the,

00:14:13.180 --> 00:14:14.540
 as long as I am in the world,

00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.440
 in the world,

00:14:15.540 --> 00:14:16.820
 I am the light of the world.

00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:18.940
 Now,

00:14:19.180 --> 00:14:21.080
 I want us to see

00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:22.260
 the heart

00:14:22.260 --> 00:14:23.480
 of the Savior

00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.600
 in these words.

00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:27.560
 He sees us

00:14:27.560 --> 00:14:29.220
 not just in our

00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:30.000
 physical blindness,

00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:30.980
 but in our

00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:31.879
 spiritual blindness.

00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:34.340
 He sees us

00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.620
 in our desperate need.

00:14:36.300 --> 00:14:37.120
 And what does

00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.080
 Jesus do?

00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:40.220
 Does he hesitate?

00:14:42.540 --> 00:14:43.500
 Now, think about it.

00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:43.879
 It would have been

00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.759
 very natural

00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:46.000
 for Jesus

00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.060
 to hesitate

00:14:47.060 --> 00:14:48.580
 here in chapter nine.

00:14:49.040 --> 00:14:49.639
 After all,

00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:50.820
 it is

00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.580
 Sabbath day.

00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:53.560
 And in John chapter seven

00:14:53.560 --> 00:14:53.900
 and eight,

00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:55.040
 right before this scene,

00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.060
 Jesus has just gone

00:14:56.060 --> 00:14:57.080
 another ten rounds

00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:58.340
 with the religious authorities.

00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:59.460
 And they literally

00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.379
 want to kill him.

00:15:00.400 --> 00:15:01.139
 And here he is,

00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.340
 still in Jerusalem

00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.700
 after the Feast of Booths,

00:15:04.020 --> 00:15:05.480
 having just gone

00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:06.980
 toe-to-toe

00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:08.020
 with the religious authorities

00:15:08.020 --> 00:15:08.900
 yet again.

00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.700
 And now,

00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:10.680
 the disciples,

00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:11.879
 you can almost feel them

00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:12.520
 looking at Jesus

00:15:12.520 --> 00:15:12.920
 and saying,

00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.420
 really, Jesus,

00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.259
 are you going to do this

00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.259
 on the Sabbath again?

00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:18.440
 Can we just let the dust

00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:19.520
 settle down a little bit?

00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:20.840
 Can we let things

00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:21.400
 cool off?

00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.000
 And come back,

00:15:22.059 --> 00:15:22.659
 like, tomorrow

00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:23.600
 and heal this guy?

00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.379
 But no.

00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:31.199
 Our Savior knows

00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:32.399
 that his mission

00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:34.000
 must, he says,

00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:34.699
 be performed.

00:15:35.819 --> 00:15:36.980
 His earthly ministry

00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:38.000
 was just a few

00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.559
 short years.

00:15:39.959 --> 00:15:40.980
 Soon, Jesus would face

00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.459
 betrayal,

00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.120
 arrest,

00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:43.139
 and execution.

00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:43.899
 The night

00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:45.259
 was coming,

00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.019
 he says.

00:15:47.079 --> 00:15:47.659
 Now, yes,

00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.460
 after that night

00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:49.379
 would come the new day

00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.079
 of his resurrection,

00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:51.700
 his ascension on high,

00:15:51.780 --> 00:15:52.960
 his outpouring of the Spirit,

00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:53.280
 yes,

00:15:53.400 --> 00:15:54.860
 his mission would advance

00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:56.620
 through the Spirit-filled church,

00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:57.560
 and we would do

00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.460
 even greater works

00:15:58.460 --> 00:15:58.860
 than these,

00:15:58.920 --> 00:15:59.780
 but even so,

00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:01.300
 we have to keep in mind,

00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:01.980
 brothers and sisters,

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.960
 that the night is coming

00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:04.040
 when no one can work.

00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:05.639
 This age is not going

00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.440
 to last forever.

00:16:07.900 --> 00:16:08.680
 God will come

00:16:08.680 --> 00:16:09.600
 to judge his world

00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:11.100
 in perfect justice,

00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:13.220
 and the time for turning

00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:14.280
 will be no more.

00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:17.259
 And so,

00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:17.720
 Jesus,

00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:19.659
 knowing that the time

00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:20.620
 is short,

00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:22.959
 acts with compassionate

00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:24.159
 urgency.

00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.659
 And consider

00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:30.339
 what that cost him.

00:16:31.939 --> 00:16:33.559
 Another miracle of mercy

00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:34.500
 on the Sabbath day.

00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.639
 Another bold assertion

00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.879
 of his sovereign authority.

00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:39.519
 Another burst of light

00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.459
 into the darkness

00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:41.199
 of a world

00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:42.919
 that does not comprehend it.

00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:45.360
 Jesus knows

00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.199
 that doing works

00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:46.979
 like this

00:16:46.979 --> 00:16:47.799
 will lead him

00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:49.059
 straight to the cross.

00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.419
 And does he hesitate?

00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:56.039
 Does he let the dust settle?

00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:57.799
 No.

00:16:58.059 --> 00:16:59.120
 He spits in the dust,

00:16:59.360 --> 00:16:59.919
 picks it up,

00:16:59.959 --> 00:17:00.599
 and rubs it right

00:17:00.599 --> 00:17:01.419
 in the guy's eyes.

00:17:03.479 --> 00:17:04.879
 He opens his eyes

00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:07.440
 and the blind see.

00:17:09.639 --> 00:17:10.440
 You see, friends,

00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.339
 what will eventually happen

00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:12.240
 in the Gospel of John

00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:12.779
 is that Jesus

00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:14.119
 will let the darkness

00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:14.700
 of the world

00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.680
 fall on himself.

00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.000
 The darkness

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.839
 of human hatred

00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.359
 and evil,

00:17:18.899 --> 00:17:19.619
 the darkness even

00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.740
 of divine wrath

00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.759
 for our sin.

00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:23.220
 He will let the darkness

00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:24.039
 fall on himself

00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.240
 so that we can step

00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:25.920
 into the light.

00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.180
 So that we,

00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.660
 the blind from birth,

00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:30.279
 can at last see.

00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.619
 Do you see now

00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:38.359
 that you can trust

00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:39.299
 this Savior?

00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:41.419
 trust him,

00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:41.799
 trust him even

00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:42.659
 with your weakness,

00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:44.259
 even with your vulnerability.

00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:45.879
 Do you see

00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:46.680
 that you can humble

00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.799
 yourself before him

00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:49.639
 and find yourself

00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:50.659
 humbled before

00:17:50.659 --> 00:17:51.799
 a loving,

00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:52.859
 strong,

00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:53.839
 and gentle Savior?

00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:58.639
 you can admit your need

00:17:58.639 --> 00:17:59.679
 and you can admit

00:17:59.679 --> 00:18:00.240
 your blindness

00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.220
 and you can let him

00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:03.599
 spread some proverbial mud

00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.259
 on your eyes

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:05.199
 and you can hear him say,

00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:05.599
 wash,

00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.939
 and then you can come back

00:18:06.939 --> 00:18:07.259
 seeing.

00:18:09.679 --> 00:18:10.079
 Friends,

00:18:10.139 --> 00:18:10.679
 this is Jesus,

00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.779
 full of compassion,

00:18:11.919 --> 00:18:12.720
 full of urgency

00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:14.639
 to save the lost,

00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.899
 to save us,

00:18:15.959 --> 00:18:16.639
 to save you.

00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:21.900
 But notice second here,

00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:23.420
 as Jesus opens

00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.420
 the eyes of the blind,

00:18:24.580 --> 00:18:24.960
 notice,

00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.960
 notice the wonderful

00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.120
 boldness

00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:29.220
 of this man

00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.080
 who is so humble.

00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:32.480
 In verses 8 through 33,

00:18:32.600 --> 00:18:33.340
 the sort of long

00:18:33.340 --> 00:18:33.980
 middle section

00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:34.740
 of chapter 9,

00:18:34.860 --> 00:18:36.200
 notice all that

00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.240
 this healed man

00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.340
 has to face

00:18:38.340 --> 00:18:39.360
 from those around him.

00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:40.900
 Notice first,

00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:42.640
 notice first his boldness

00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.580
 or his assurance

00:18:43.580 --> 00:18:44.460
 through it all.

00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.180
 First,

00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:45.980
 as he faces

00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.820
 the confusion

00:18:46.820 --> 00:18:47.720
 of his neighbors.

00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:49.240
 Wait,

00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:49.580
 they say,

00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:50.320
 you can't really

00:18:50.320 --> 00:18:51.279
 be the same person.

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:53.920
 Now,

00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.140
 you know,

00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:54.779
 people might say

00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.519
 the same of you

00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:56.779
 after you become

00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.180
 a Christian

00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:57.860
 or after the Lord

00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:58.420
 does a deep,

00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:58.820
 humbling,

00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.259
 healing,

00:18:59.420 --> 00:18:59.960
 changing work

00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.560
 in your life.

00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:03.539
 People will expect you

00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:05.299
 to be the same old person

00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:06.259
 you always were

00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:07.320
 with the same old habits

00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:08.420
 and the same old tendencies.

00:19:09.060 --> 00:19:10.180
 But the reality is,

00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:10.960
 is humbling yourself

00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.539
 before Jesus

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.860
 means that you will change

00:19:12.860 --> 00:19:14.779
 and that will cause

00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.379
 confusion

00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:17.240
 to the people around you.

00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.720
 And yet,

00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.940
 notice how the man responds.

00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.139
 He says,

00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:23.319
 no,

00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:24.059
 it's really me.

00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.759
 Jesus did this.

00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:28.680
 Second,

00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.379
 the man overcomes

00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:30.099
 not just the confusion

00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.619
 of the neighbors

00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.339
 but the suspicion

00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:32.740
 of the religious authorities.

00:19:33.399 --> 00:19:33.480
 Now,

00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.139
 quite naturally,

00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:34.740
 the neighbors

00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:36.059
 take the healed man

00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.259
 to the local synagogue leaders.

00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:38.519
 That was a pretty common thing to do.

00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.720
 This seems like a big deal,

00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.180
 they think.

00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.940
 This guy just got healed.

00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.559
 Let's take him

00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:44.000
 to the people we trust

00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.339
 and know

00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:45.000
 and let's let them

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.519
 sort this out.

00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.460
 This is kind of a big deal.

00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:46.980
 Let's go.

00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.079
 But,

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:51.160
 all that many of them

00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:52.119
 are concerned about

00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:54.579
 is whether or not

00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.200
 the traditions

00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:55.880
 have been kept.

00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.240
 And in keeping

00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.799
 the traditions,

00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.579
 they're worried about

00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.539
 keeping their own power

00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.059
 in place.

00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.339
 But again,

00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:07.059
 the healed man

00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:08.420
 has this deep assurance

00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.740
 and deep boldness

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.960
 that their suspicions

00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.799
 of him and of Jesus

00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.440
 can't shake.

00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:12.779
 He says,

00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:14.019
 Jesus must be a prophet.

00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.960
 He must be someone

00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:16.980
 sent from God.

00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.720
 And you can see

00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.779
 as this passage

00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.299
 is unfolding

00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.680
 that the healed man's

00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.980
 faith is deepening

00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:25.559
 as he undergoes testing.

00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.579
 It was Jesus,

00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.000
 he says.

00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.539
 Who is Jesus?

00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:29.360
 He must be a prophet.

00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.039
 He must be someone

00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.940
 sent from God.

00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.059
 Third,

00:20:34.120 --> 00:20:34.860
 the man overcomes

00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:35.640
 not just the confusion

00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.120
 of his neighbors,

00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:37.120
 not just the suspicion

00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.759
 of the authorities

00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.299
 in his life,

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:39.599
 but he overcomes

00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:40.379
 even the fear

00:20:40.379 --> 00:20:41.659
 of his parents.

00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.000
 That is,

00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.919
 this man doesn't succumb

00:20:43.919 --> 00:20:45.139
 to the same fear

00:20:45.139 --> 00:20:46.799
 as his parents do.

00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.700
 And what is that fear?

00:20:49.419 --> 00:20:49.960
 It's a fear

00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.859
 of being cast out

00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.680
 or being excluded

00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.859
 or being excommunicated

00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:53.599
 from the synagogue.

00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.099
 The synagogue

00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:55.220
 was sort of the local place

00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.980
 of worship for Jews

00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.460
 in the town.

00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.720
 And why

00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:59.159
 were they afraid

00:20:59.159 --> 00:21:00.079
 of being excluded

00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.759
 or cast out

00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.379
 or excommunicated

00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:01.940
 from the synagogue?

00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:03.019
 Well, because

00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:05.339
 some synagogues

00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:06.339
 had already started

00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:08.119
 casting people out

00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:09.159
 if they confessed

00:21:09.159 --> 00:21:09.639
 that Jesus

00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:10.719
 is the Messiah.

00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:12.939
 Now, we know

00:21:12.939 --> 00:21:13.559
 that this wasn't

00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:15.319
 a widespread policy

00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:16.619
 during Jesus' lifetime.

00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.639
 It wasn't the fact

00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:18.419
 that every synagogue

00:21:18.419 --> 00:21:19.439
 had sort of instituted

00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:20.000
 this rule,

00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.299
 but it does seem like

00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:22.779
 some local congregations

00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.979
 in Jesus' day

00:21:23.979 --> 00:21:24.879
 had started

00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:26.539
 to take a definitive stand

00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.579
 on this man

00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:28.279
 from Nazareth.

00:21:29.719 --> 00:21:30.679
 Rumors were spreading

00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:31.279
 about him.

00:21:31.659 --> 00:21:32.379
 People were getting

00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:33.059
 enthusiastic.

00:21:33.919 --> 00:21:34.879
 Some local synagogues

00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:35.919
 had to draw a line

00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:36.979
 and they declared

00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:38.039
 that he is not

00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.519
 from God

00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.599
 and anyone

00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.519
 who thought otherwise

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.779
 would be cast out,

00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:42.819
 excommunicated

00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.420
 from fellowship

00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:43.980
 in the synagogue.

00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:46.779
 Now,

00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:49.120
 that's no small thing.

00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.799
 Imagine being

00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.940
 cut off

00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:54.279
 from the sort of

00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.599
 locus of your community,

00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.360
 your family,

00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:57.039
 and your sense

00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.620
 of belonging

00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.099
 to God

00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:58.839
 and God's people.

00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.740
 Not being allowed

00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.740
 to come and participate

00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.960
 in the teaching

00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.579
 and the rituals

00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.220
 and the practices

00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:05.920
 and the songs

00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.880
 that really make you

00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:07.740
 who you are

00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.980
 as a Jewish person

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.759
 in the first century.

00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.440
 It's hard for us

00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.880
 to find a good analogy

00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.700
 for that today,

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.400
 you know.

00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.620
 If you can't come

00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.279
 to church on Sunday,

00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:18.819
 your whole world

00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.559
 doesn't fall apart,

00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:19.860
 right?

00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.240
 I think it would be

00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.839
 sort of like losing

00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:24.759
 our job today

00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.940
 as I thought about it.

00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.120
 Just think of how much

00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:28.519
 identity and belonging,

00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:29.779
 not to mention

00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.920
 financial provision,

00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.240
 we get from our jobs.

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.799
 Now, if confessing

00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.839
 Jesus as the Messiah

00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.660
 meant an immediate

00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.620
 loss of your job,

00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.480
 you'd be afraid, right?

00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.559
 Well, if you can feel

00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:45.480
 a little bit of that fear,

00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.500
 then you can sympathize

00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:48.380
 a little with this guy's parents.

00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:50.839
 They're faced

00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:52.240
 with a really hard decision.

00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.480
 And so what do they do?

00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.440
 In fear,

00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:59.019
 they dodge the question.

00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.519
 Ask him.

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.299
 He's of age.

00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.099
 We don't know

00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:02.460
 what happened.

00:23:04.159 --> 00:23:05.099
 And so they bring

00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:05.980
 the healed man back in.

00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:07.579
 And does he cave

00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.059
 to the fear?

00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:10.460
 No.

00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:13.379
 Something so profound

00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:14.500
 has happened

00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.359
 to this man

00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.879
 that even the fear

00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:18.059
 of being thrown out

00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.779
 of the synagogue

00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:20.200
 doesn't shake him.

00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.440
 You have to love

00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.019
 the moment when they

00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:25.519
 start interrogating him again.

00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:27.220
 And he says in verse 27,

00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:29.379
 I've told you already

00:23:29.379 --> 00:23:30.119
 how he healed me

00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:31.399
 and he would not listen.

00:23:31.979 --> 00:23:32.439
 Why do you want

00:23:32.439 --> 00:23:32.939
 to hear it again?

00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:34.039
 Do you want to become

00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.539
 his disciples?

00:23:35.479 --> 00:23:37.019
 I think that's the definition

00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.319
 of pluck, right?

00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:39.879
 Like having that kind

00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:41.479
 of audacity

00:23:41.479 --> 00:23:42.679
 and boldness

00:23:42.679 --> 00:23:43.379
 in the face

00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:44.839
 of what really is

00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:46.559
 a sort of devolving situation.

00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:51.179
 What would give this guy

00:23:51.179 --> 00:23:51.879
 such courage?

00:23:51.979 --> 00:23:52.719
 What would give him

00:23:52.719 --> 00:23:53.579
 such assurance?

00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:58.099
 Well, it was his life-changing

00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:59.240
 encounter with Jesus.

00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.699
 Verse 25,

00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:03.679
 One thing I do know,

00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:06.119
 that though I was blind,

00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:08.240
 now I see.

00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.919
 All the confusion,

00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.379
 all the suspicion,

00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.740
 all the fear

00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.899
 can't shake that one thing.

00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:17.939
 Though I was blind,

00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:19.399
 now I see.

00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:23.240
 J.C. Ryle,

00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:24.220
 an old pastor

00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:25.280
 from the 19th century,

00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:25.860
 writes this

00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:26.980
 in his reflection

00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.700
 on this passage.

00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:28.220
 He says,

00:24:28.300 --> 00:24:29.340
 There's no kind of evidence

00:24:29.340 --> 00:24:31.040
 so satisfactory as this

00:24:31.040 --> 00:24:32.100
 to the heart

00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:33.180
 of a real Christian.

00:24:34.560 --> 00:24:35.300
 His knowledge

00:24:35.300 --> 00:24:36.040
 may be small,

00:24:36.780 --> 00:24:37.840
 his faith

00:24:37.840 --> 00:24:38.660
 may be feeble,

00:24:39.320 --> 00:24:40.620
 his doctrinal views

00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:41.600
 may be confused

00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:42.620
 and indistinct

00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:43.380
 at present,

00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:45.040
 but Christ

00:24:45.040 --> 00:24:45.960
 has really

00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.740
 wrought

00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.400
 a work

00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.079
 of grace

00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.779
 in his heart

00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.779
 by the Spirit.

00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.599
 He feels

00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.160
 within him

00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.579
 something

00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.799
 that you cannot

00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.440
 overthrow.

00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.960
 I was dark

00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.299
 and now I have light.

00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.299
 I was afraid

00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:57.819
 of God

00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:59.039
 and now I love him.

00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.480
 I was fond of sin

00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.279
 and now I hate it.

00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.220
 I was blind

00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.000
 and now I see.

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:05.880
 And then Ryle

00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.579
 goes on and he says,

00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.460
 Let us

00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:09.180
 never rest

00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.720
 till we know

00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.700
 and feel

00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.500
 within us

00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:14.240
 some real work

00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.140
 of the Holy Spirit.

00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:16.440
 Let us

00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.680
 not be content

00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:19.080
 with just the name

00:25:19.080 --> 00:25:20.100
 and the form

00:25:20.100 --> 00:25:20.960
 of Christianity.

00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.420
 Let us desire

00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.620
 to have true

00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:25.060
 experiential

00:25:25.060 --> 00:25:26.120
 acquaintance

00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:26.740
 with it.

00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:28.820
 Feelings

00:25:28.820 --> 00:25:29.520
 are no doubt

00:25:29.520 --> 00:25:30.120
 deceitful

00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.880
 and they're not

00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:31.759
 everything in religion,

00:25:32.300 --> 00:25:32.880
 but if we have

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:34.600
 no inward feelings

00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:35.800
 about spiritual matters,

00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.400
 Ryle says,

00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.880
 it's a very bad sign.

00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:40.520
 The hungry man

00:25:40.520 --> 00:25:40.820
 eats

00:25:40.820 --> 00:25:41.960
 and feels strengthened.

00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:43.440
 The thirsty man

00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:43.800
 drinks

00:25:43.800 --> 00:25:44.840
 and feels refreshed.

00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.560
 Surely the man

00:25:46.560 --> 00:25:47.280
 who has within him

00:25:47.280 --> 00:25:48.340
 the grace of God

00:25:48.340 --> 00:25:49.360
 ought to be able

00:25:49.360 --> 00:25:49.960
 to say,

00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.520
 I feel its power.

00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:57.740
 And friends,

00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:58.480
 to the extent

00:25:58.480 --> 00:26:00.759
 that you humble yourself

00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.660
 before Jesus,

00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.860
 the light of the world,

00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:05.800
 bringing to him

00:26:05.800 --> 00:26:06.700
 not just your strengths,

00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:08.440
 but also your profound weakness,

00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:10.460
 admitting to him

00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:10.860
 and to others

00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.880
 not just your abilities,

00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.759
 but also your profound inability,

00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:16.519
 to that extent,

00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:18.539
 you will feel

00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.259
 his power

00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:21.400
 as you worship him,

00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:23.099
 as you pray to him,

00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:24.559
 as you walk with him

00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.160
 through your life

00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:26.279
 through trial and suffering.

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:30.200
 And after the trial,

00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.019
 do you notice what happens

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.960
 in verse 35?

00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.119
 After this guy

00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:33.859
 just gets put through

00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:34.859
 the wringer of confusion

00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.500
 and suspicion

00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.220
 and fear

00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:37.059
 and accusation

00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.180
 and cast out

00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:39.180
 of the synagogue himself,

00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:41.339
 what happens?

00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.879
 Jesus comes and finds him

00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.599
 and meets him again.

00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:46.039
 Jesus seeks him out,

00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.980
 has fellowship with him,

00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.879
 brings him into a fuller

00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:51.680
 and more robust faith.

00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:54.539
 brothers and sisters,

00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:56.900
 do not fear

00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:59.440
 adding your voice

00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:00.779
 to the voices of those

00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:02.019
 who are giving testimony

00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.400
 to the power

00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.500
 and the goodness of Jesus.

00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.660
 Like this man,

00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.440
 you don't need

00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.660
 all the right answers.

00:27:11.080 --> 00:27:11.920
 You don't need

00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.700
 years of training.

00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.600
 You simply need

00:27:14.600 --> 00:27:15.299
 to be able to give

00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.680
 joyful witness

00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.900
 to the work of grace

00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:19.019
 in your own life.

00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:21.579
 And the promise is

00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.879
 that through that trial,

00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.279
 Jesus himself

00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:24.960
 will meet you.

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.240
 So this is the first

00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.400
 big idea of John 9.

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:32.240
 The blind are made

00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:33.039
 to see.

00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.460
 If we admit

00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.180
 that we're in darkness,

00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.059
 Jesus will bring us

00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:36.639
 into the light.

00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:39.039
 But the second point

00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.579
 we see here in John 9

00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:40.940
 is this,

00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.900
 that those who think

00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.579
 they see

00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:44.079
 are blinded.

00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:46.839
 Friends,

00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.700
 spiritual pride

00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:49.440
 is a dangerous thing.

00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:51.640
 And we can actually

00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.400
 see it growing

00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.920
 throughout this passage

00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.700
 in the character

00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.500
 of the Pharisees.

00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:57.039
 First,

00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:58.140
 they sort of dispute

00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:59.580
 the healed man.

00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:00.980
 And perhaps

00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.940
 there's some openness.

00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:02.400
 You know,

00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.100
 we see that there's

00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:03.600
 some division

00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:04.380
 in their ranks.

00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:05.980
 And yet,

00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.559
 they refuse

00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.799
 to open their minds

00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.299
 and admit

00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:09.039
 that perhaps

00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.880
 they don't have

00:28:09.880 --> 00:28:10.759
 it all figured out.

00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:12.160
 Perhaps their traditions

00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:13.779
 aren't the last word.

00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.180
 Perhaps what God

00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.840
 desires

00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:17.159
 isn't a show

00:28:17.159 --> 00:28:18.119
 of great power

00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:19.259
 and skill

00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.500
 and learning.

00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.579
 Perhaps what God

00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.579
 desires most,

00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.480
 as the prophets

00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.240
 will say again

00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.720
 and again

00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.139
 and again,

00:28:25.199 --> 00:28:25.759
 is a humble

00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.799
 and contrite heart.

00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.459
 A humble admission

00:28:28.459 --> 00:28:28.939
 of weakness

00:28:28.939 --> 00:28:29.399
 and need

00:28:29.399 --> 00:28:30.019
 coming before

00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.399
 the God

00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:31.099
 of the universe.

00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:36.279
 Notice how

00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.039
 the interrogation

00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.859
 with this healed man

00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:38.199
 ends.

00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.740
 They say,

00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:39.819
 they answered him,

00:28:40.199 --> 00:28:40.679
 and they say,

00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.639
 you were born

00:28:41.639 --> 00:28:43.359
 in utter sin,

00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:44.240
 and would you

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.339
 teach us?

00:28:46.179 --> 00:28:47.319
 You can just feel

00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.279
 the vitriol

00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.639
 coming out.

00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:53.879
 Would you teach us,

00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.500
 they say.

00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:55.979
 In other words,

00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:58.479
 they refuse

00:28:58.479 --> 00:28:59.339
 to be teachable.

00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:03.019
 What could

00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:05.059
 this uneducated,

00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:06.979
 until recently

00:29:06.979 --> 00:29:08.879
 disabled beggar

00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:11.959
 possibly teach us,

00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.659
 they think?

00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:16.699
 Friends,

00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:17.539
 beware

00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.839
 spiritual

00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:19.779
 pride.

00:29:22.719 --> 00:29:23.459
 Jesus said,

00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.079
 for judgment

00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:25.240
 I came into this world,

00:29:25.899 --> 00:29:26.759
 that those

00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.740
 who do not see

00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.579
 may see,

00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:30.759
 and those who see

00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:32.359
 may become blind.

00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.639
 Some of the Pharisees

00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:35.000
 near him

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.719
 heard these things

00:29:35.719 --> 00:29:36.399
 and said to him,

00:29:37.199 --> 00:29:39.059
 are we also blind?

00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:41.339
 And Jesus said,

00:29:41.379 --> 00:29:42.099
 if you were blind,

00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:42.899
 you'd have no guilt.

00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:43.799
 In other words,

00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:44.359
 if you admitted

00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:44.919
 your blindness,

00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:45.919
 you'd be free.

00:29:47.199 --> 00:29:48.559
 But now that you say,

00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.619
 we see,

00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:52.000
 your guilt remains.

00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.759
 And that's where

00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.519
 the passage ends.

00:29:58.439 --> 00:29:59.379
 And that's where

00:29:59.379 --> 00:30:00.459
 we end.

00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:03.339
 At least our sermon.

00:30:03.899 --> 00:30:05.139
 With the coming of Jesus,

00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:05.639
 the curtains

00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:06.579
 have been flooding open.

00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.759
 The curtains

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.679
 are being ripped open,

00:30:08.899 --> 00:30:10.079
 the light is pouring in,

00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:10.899
 and as the church

00:30:10.899 --> 00:30:11.819
 continues to proclaim

00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.720
 the message of Jesus,

00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:13.799
 the Spirit continues

00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.740
 to shine his light

00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.559
 into our darkness.

00:30:17.379 --> 00:30:18.419
 And the reality is,

00:30:18.439 --> 00:30:19.099
 is that we'll never

00:30:19.099 --> 00:30:19.899
 really see

00:30:19.899 --> 00:30:20.679
 until we admit

00:30:20.679 --> 00:30:21.399
 that we're blind,

00:30:22.199 --> 00:30:23.059
 until we become

00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:23.539
 humble

00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:25.000
 and teachable.

00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.019
 You know,

00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:26.939
 there's nothing wrong

00:30:26.939 --> 00:30:27.740
 with good education.

00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:28.699
 There's nothing wrong

00:30:28.699 --> 00:30:29.220
 with learning

00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.839
 and pursuing

00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:30.679
 religious knowledge

00:30:30.679 --> 00:30:31.319
 and pursuing

00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.799
 these types of things.

00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:33.519
 There's nothing wrong

00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:33.720
 with that.

00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:33.939
 In fact,

00:30:33.939 --> 00:30:34.639
 there's a lot of good

00:30:34.639 --> 00:30:35.460
 that comes of that.

00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.120
 And yet,

00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:37.380
 if that's the thing

00:30:37.380 --> 00:30:38.640
 that we're leaning on,

00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:41.059
 beware, friends,

00:30:41.100 --> 00:30:42.019
 that we don't become

00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:43.500
 just like the Pharisees,

00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:44.860
 unteachable,

00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:45.840
 hardened,

00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:48.180
 unable to admit

00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.840
 our vulnerability

00:30:48.840 --> 00:30:50.220
 and our weakness,

00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.900
 unable to confess

00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:53.700
 that we're not righteous,

00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.039
 but we're sinners.

00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.200
 You see, friends,

00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:59.120
 the cross of Jesus

00:30:59.120 --> 00:31:00.480
 levels us all,

00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.059
 does it not?

00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.799
 Before the cross,

00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.480
 we see that we are

00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.680
 all sinners.

00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.660
 That we are all

00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:08.039
 woefully short

00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:11.360
 of the glory of God.

00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:14.100
 Each and every one of us.

00:31:15.340 --> 00:31:15.700
 And yet,

00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.259
 what does the cross

00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:17.240
 also tell us?

00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:19.259
 That God loves

00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.319
 each and every one of us.

00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:22.460
 That we are all,

00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:23.220
 in His eyes,

00:31:23.360 --> 00:31:23.740
 precious,

00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.740
 valued,

00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.559
 loved.

00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:30.559
 And it's right there

00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:32.160
 in humility

00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:33.200
 before Jesus,

00:31:34.100 --> 00:31:35.160
 before the cross

00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:35.800
 and the resurrection.

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.820
 It's right there

00:31:36.820 --> 00:31:38.240
 when we really

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.040
 begin to see.

00:31:40.820 --> 00:31:42.100
 When we take hold

00:31:42.100 --> 00:31:43.380
 of Christ crucified

00:31:43.380 --> 00:31:43.940
 and risen,

00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.980
 that's when our weakness

00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:47.120
 becomes our strength.

00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.240
 Even if God

00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.759
 doesn't choose

00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.380
 to heal us.

00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:52.279
 That's when our foolishness

00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.120
 of worshiping

00:31:53.120 --> 00:31:54.019
 a crucified Savior

00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:55.000
 becomes real wisdom.

00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:55.920
 That's when our blindness

00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:56.820
 becomes sight.

00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:59.579
 when we take hold

00:31:59.579 --> 00:31:59.899
 of Him,

00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:01.000
 the light of the world.

00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:02.960
 Let's pray together.

00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:09.779
 O light of the world,

00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:11.180
 undimming

00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:13.140
 and unsetting,

00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:14.880
 O shine

00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:15.740
 each mist

00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.200
 away.

00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:19.039
 Banish the fear,

00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:20.880
 the falsehood,

00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:22.340
 and the fretting.

00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:24.620
 Be our

00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:25.519
 unchanging

00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.340
 day.

00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:29.399
 Spirit,

00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:29.939
 only you

00:32:29.939 --> 00:32:30.500
 can bring

00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.279
 true humility

00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:32.179
 to our hearts,

00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:33.799
 so we humbly ask

00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.359
 that you would do

00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:35.339
 that work this morning.

00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:37.559
 We are so proud.

00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.819
 We are so afraid

00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.279
 of admitting

00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:41.379
 weakness and need.

00:32:42.659 --> 00:32:43.539
 Please soften

00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.199
 our hearts.

00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.720
 Help us to see

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.319
 our desperate

00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:47.119
 need of grace

00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:49.619
 and show us Christ.

00:32:51.179 --> 00:32:51.559
 Spirit,

00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:52.259
 let us see Him

00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:53.559
 standing even now

00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.819
 before our Father's throne,

00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:56.059
 looking upon us

00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:56.659
 in love,

00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:58.439
 ready to receive us,

00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:59.279
 bearing the wounds

00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:00.359
 of the cross for us,

00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:02.159
 casting out all fear.

00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.700
 Turn our hearts

00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.220
 to you, Lord,

00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.779
 this day,

00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.399
 this week,

00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:10.000
 and may we walk

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:11.740
 in the boldness

00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:14.019
 that only humility

00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:15.220
 before you can give.

00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:17.119
 Amen.