WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.439 Giving us a little bit of information about who he is and what you're doing and how we can be praying for him. 00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:09.439 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.960 John chapter 8, and we're going to be reading from verses 12 to 20 just in a moment. 00:00:35.960 --> 00:00:43.060 But as Alex said, my wife and I, Monica, we are privileged to serve as members at Carrig Tool Baptist Church. 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:48.159 And we're super thankful for the partnership that we have with you guys here at Carrig Align. 00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:52.820 And super thankful for all the churches we're privileged to partner with in the Court Carry Project. 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:55.260 Some ways you can be praying for us. 00:00:55.379 --> 00:00:59.519 So you can pray for Monica and I as we just moved over in January. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.359 So we continue to adjust and it's been an awesome experience. 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:09.500 But still just getting some logistical things worked out with visas and that sort of thing. 00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:14.840 You can pray for us as we'll be both starting as students at UCC in the fall. 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:16.180 I think two weeks. 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:17.439 I should probably check on that. 00:01:17.859 --> 00:01:19.260 See what time we actually start. 00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:22.359 But yeah, you can pray as we begin our studies there at UCC. 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:30.939 And ultimately pray for us at Carrig Tool Baptist Church as we seek to shine a light into a rapidly growing community. 00:01:31.260 --> 00:01:34.140 But a community that is in great need of the gospel. 00:01:34.859 --> 00:01:37.039 And so please pray for those things. 00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:43.260 But like I said, we're going to be in John chapter 8 this morning, verses 12 to 20. 00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:45.740 So let's read together. 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:48.620 John records, 00:01:48.620 --> 00:02:02.540 So the Pharisees said to him, 00:02:02.540 --> 00:02:04.460 You are testifying about yourself. 00:02:04.900 --> 00:02:06.880 Your testimony is not valid. 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:08.379 Jesus said, 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:15.539 Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true because I know where I come from and I know where I'm going. 00:02:16.079 --> 00:02:18.879 But you don't know where I come from or where I'm going. 00:02:19.519 --> 00:02:22.840 You judge by human standards, but I judge no one. 00:02:23.699 --> 00:02:27.019 And if I do judge, my judgment is true. 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:32.319 Because it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:37.680 Even in your law, it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 00:02:38.379 --> 00:02:40.919 I am the one who testifies about myself. 00:02:41.539 --> 00:02:44.659 And the Father who sent me testifies about me. 00:02:45.359 --> 00:02:46.299 Then they asked him, 00:02:46.379 --> 00:02:47.560 Where is your Father? 00:02:48.579 --> 00:02:51.099 You know neither me nor my Father, Jesus answered. 00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:54.719 If you knew me, you would also know my Father. 00:02:55.579 --> 00:02:58.799 He spoke these words by the treasury while teaching in the temple. 00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:03.040 But no one seized him because his hour had not yet come. 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:04.800 Let's pray together. 00:03:08.100 --> 00:03:12.520 God, this morning, I ask that you would speak to us through your word. 00:03:13.980 --> 00:03:21.720 God, you know better than anyone my fears, my anxieties, my inability to do this task, God, of preaching your word. 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:25.939 But I ask that you would, by the power of your spirit, empower me to speak with clarity. 00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:35.199 And God, these truths we encounter, would you help us to leave this place with a greater understanding of who you are. 00:03:36.099 --> 00:03:37.280 That you are the Messiah. 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:40.139 That you're God in human flesh. 00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:45.000 And that we can trust you with every ounce of our being. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:49.500 God, would you give me clarity of thought and clarity of speech. 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:53.900 And make all of this this morning more like your son, Jesus. 00:03:54.960 --> 00:03:57.400 And we ask all these things in his name. 00:03:58.340 --> 00:03:58.620 Amen. 00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:04.259 Now, when I was a child, there was a popular Christian children's song. 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:06.159 You may know it. 00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:08.780 It was called, I Just Want to Be a Sheep. 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:09.860 Does anyone know that song? 00:04:11.300 --> 00:04:12.139 Okay, perfect. 00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:12.659 Two people. 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:13.060 Awesome. 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:17.379 Well, I know it's a little silly, but just bear with me here. 00:04:17.459 --> 00:04:19.459 One of the verses goes something like this. 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:24.899 I don't want to be a Pharisee because they're not fair, you see. 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:27.019 I know. 00:04:27.379 --> 00:04:27.699 I know. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:28.519 It's a little silly. 00:04:28.620 --> 00:04:31.819 It gets a few points for creativity with the play on words. 00:04:32.340 --> 00:04:33.899 But still, it's a little ridiculous. 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:38.120 There's actually another verse, which is even worse, if you can believe it. 00:04:38.120 --> 00:04:43.439 It's about not wanting to be a Sadducee because they are so sad, you see. 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:46.139 You can save that away for later. 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:48.660 I'm not going to share the whole thing with you. 00:04:48.780 --> 00:04:52.000 But while the song, it's a little ridiculous, it's a little silly. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:57.519 It does serve to illustrate a reality that we find in our text today. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:01.720 The Pharisees have not been fair, you see. 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:06.500 They have not seen Jesus for who he truly is. 00:05:06.500 --> 00:05:14.819 In response to his proclamation that he is the light of the world, the Pharisees question Jesus. 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:21.899 And Jesus, as we're going to see, he defends himself by grounding his teaching in his own identity 00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:25.139 and in the witness of God the Father. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:31.199 But before we can unpack Jesus' teaching and the response from the Pharisees, 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:37.019 it's important that we situate this exchange in its proper context. 00:05:37.659 --> 00:05:43.019 In the previous chapter, chapter 7, Jesus made his way to the temple 00:05:43.019 --> 00:05:47.839 and he began to teach some of those gathered there for the Feast of Booths, 00:05:47.939 --> 00:05:50.000 which is also called the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:53.379 Now, this feast was rich with symbolism. 00:05:54.300 --> 00:05:57.779 Part of what would happen during the feast is that individuals, 00:05:57.779 --> 00:06:03.819 they would live in these small shelters that were built to remember God's provision 00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:07.759 during the days when their ancestors had wandered in the wilderness. 00:06:08.919 --> 00:06:13.199 There was also the pouring out of water by the priest, 00:06:13.239 --> 00:06:17.879 which was meant to represent God's ultimate provision of a Messiah 00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:22.519 and the knowledge of God that that Messiah would bring. 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:29.599 So Jesus' teaching in chapter 7, verses 37 and 38, 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:33.639 where he offers living water to the spiritually thirsty, 00:06:34.659 --> 00:06:36.719 it speaks with special significance. 00:06:38.159 --> 00:06:40.180 You can imagine this incredible scene, 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:46.439 the pouring out of water meant to anticipate the coming of the Messiah, 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:49.480 and here he is in the flesh. 00:06:50.120 --> 00:06:52.639 He's offering living water. 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:56.439 Now, in our modern copies of the Bible, 00:06:56.540 --> 00:06:59.579 if you were to look down, you'll see that in between Jesus' teaching, 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:02.740 which ends at chapter 7, verse 52, 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:04.959 in our passage today, 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:08.000 you'll find the account of a woman caught in adultery. 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:11.779 But when the Gospel of John was first written, 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:16.040 there would have been no separation between Jesus' teaching, 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:19.100 which ends at chapter 7, verse 52, 00:07:19.339 --> 00:07:20.420 in our passage today. 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:24.120 The events in our passage, verses 12 to 20, 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:29.420 they would have followed immediately after chapter 7, verse 52. 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:31.980 Now, you're probably thinking to yourself, 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:34.959 why in the world is Tyler telling us all of this? 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:41.439 Well, it helps to set the stage for the exchange that we see in our passage today. 00:07:42.779 --> 00:07:45.259 Jesus' teaching in our text today 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:48.939 would also have taken place during the Feast of Booths. 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:52.579 And the significance of Jesus' teaching, 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:55.639 it's going to be best understood in that context, 00:07:55.959 --> 00:07:59.419 the context of the celebration of the feast. 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:01.879 So now that I've thoroughly confused everyone, 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:03.919 let's turn to our text today. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:06.699 looking again at verse 12. 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:13.439 Jesus spoke to them again. 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:16.860 I am the light of the world. 00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:21.620 Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness, 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:24.860 but will have the light of life. 00:08:26.080 --> 00:08:28.840 To those who are gathered in the temple, 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:31.939 Jesus presents two options. 00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:36.139 He presents belief leading to light and to life, 00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:42.059 and by implication, disbelief leading to darkness and to death. 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:47.120 Now, if you were to flip briefly through John's gospel, 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:50.679 you would find that this language of light is quite common. 00:08:50.679 --> 00:08:55.299 In the opening chapter of the book that we actually read this morning, 00:08:56.019 --> 00:08:58.279 chapter 1, verses 1 to 4, 00:08:58.379 --> 00:09:01.620 we're told that all things were created through him. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:07.320 And apart from him, not one thing was created that has been created. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:09.840 In him was life. 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:13.299 And that life was the light of men. 00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:15.919 And in our passage today, 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:18.500 this theme, which runs throughout John's gospel, 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:20.699 it's going to find new expression. 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:24.539 Because remember that Jesus is teaching here. 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:26.799 It's occurring during the Feast of Booths. 00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:30.139 That commemoration of God's provision, 00:09:30.719 --> 00:09:32.639 where the people would live in those small shelters, 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:35.279 and the priest would pour out the water 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:38.139 in anticipation of the Messiah. 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:42.360 Another interesting element of the Feast of Booths 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:43.879 that I haven't yet mentioned, 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:48.779 it was a ceremony where torches and large lamps would be lit 00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:51.319 as a reminder of the pillar of fire 00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:53.659 which guided the people of Israel 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:56.080 during their wanderings in the wilderness. 00:09:57.759 --> 00:10:01.299 These lights and torches, which were lit during the feast, 00:10:02.100 --> 00:10:03.539 they wouldn't have been tiny flames. 00:10:03.620 --> 00:10:05.159 It would have been a massive blaze, 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:06.039 and it would have been something 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:07.899 that could have been clearly seen 00:10:07.899 --> 00:10:11.220 both inside and outside the temple grounds. 00:10:12.699 --> 00:10:15.779 So for those who have just heard Jesus' teaching 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:18.559 that he is the light of the world, 00:10:19.319 --> 00:10:21.240 the light associated with the ceremony 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:23.559 would have surely been called to their mind. 00:10:24.939 --> 00:10:28.199 And again, this is an incredible image 00:10:28.199 --> 00:10:30.539 because during a festival 00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:34.500 where the ceremony of light unfolds, 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:38.899 a ceremony serving as a reminder of God's presence 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:41.879 and his provision during the wilderness wanderings, 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:46.120 here is Jesus, God in human flesh, 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:48.659 dwelling among his creation 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:52.120 in order to make provision for humanity's sin. 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:59.539 And Jesus still offers this choice to each and every one of us. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:03.100 Light and life for those who believe, 00:11:03.299 --> 00:11:05.159 for all those who would believe, 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:09.179 or darkness and death to those who reject him. 00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:16.899 So how is it that the Pharisees respond to Jesus' powerful proclamation? 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:19.779 Let's look again at verse 13. 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:25.199 It says, 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:26.519 So the Pharisees said to him, 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:28.519 You are testifying about yourself. 00:11:29.439 --> 00:11:31.779 Your testimony is not valid. 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:37.519 Now, you probably don't find the Pharisees' accusation 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:41.159 in response to Jesus all that shocking. 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:44.379 Because if you're familiar with the relationship 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:47.360 between the religious leaders and Jesus, 00:11:47.839 --> 00:11:50.240 as it's described throughout the Gospels, 00:11:51.199 --> 00:11:54.639 the response probably doesn't strike you as anything out of the ordinary. 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:57.419 But once again, in today's text, 00:11:57.500 --> 00:12:02.659 we find these religious leaders walking the same well-worn path. 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:06.639 And what's more, they drum up this objection 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:10.159 that Jesus has actually already addressed before. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:13.639 In a previous exchange in chapter 5. 00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:18.860 In chapter 5, verses 31 to 47, 00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:22.259 Jesus lays out several reliable witnesses. 00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:26.980 John the Baptist, Jesus' works themselves, 00:12:27.199 --> 00:12:28.719 and God the Father, 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:34.159 they have all testified to Jesus' identity and his mission. 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:37.480 But in our passage today, 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:40.200 the Pharisees respond to this teaching 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:42.240 by saying to him in verse 13, 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:44.220 You're testifying about yourself. 00:12:44.539 --> 00:12:47.120 Your testimony is not valid. 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:51.279 Now, in one sense, 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.480 what the Pharisees say, 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:54.399 it's not all that unreasonable. 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:58.039 Because we find in places like the book of Deuteronomy, 00:12:58.460 --> 00:12:59.920 in chapter 1915, 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:05.419 one witness cannot establish any iniquity or sin against a person, 00:13:05.819 --> 00:13:07.259 whatever that person has done. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:11.939 A fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 00:13:13.219 --> 00:13:14.679 And Jesus himself, 00:13:14.819 --> 00:13:18.360 he's referenced this sort of command in John chapter 5. 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:21.639 But the problem is these Pharisees, 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:25.519 they've either ignored or are unaware of the fact 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:28.180 that there are others vouching for Jesus. 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:33.440 Jesus isn't the only one who has been giving testimony 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:37.600 in support of his identity and his ministry. 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:40.399 So, at the outset, 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:41.899 there's a sense in which 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:45.740 the foundation of the Pharisees' accusation towards Jesus, 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:46.700 it's just wrong. 00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:50.160 But look at how Jesus responds. 00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:53.259 At least to begin with, 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:56.000 Jesus shows that even if it were the case 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:58.400 that he's the only one bearing witness 00:13:58.400 --> 00:14:00.720 to his identity and to his ministry, 00:14:00.820 --> 00:14:01.660 it wouldn't matter. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.800 How is it that he does this? 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:07.700 He responds to this accusation from the Pharisees, 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:11.259 first by grounding the truth of his testimony 00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:13.180 in his own identity. 00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:16.160 To say it another way, 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:21.000 Jesus' testimony is true because of who Jesus is. 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:25.259 Let's look again at verses 14 to 16. 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:30.740 We find in verse 14, 00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:33.379 even if I testify about myself, 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:34.460 Jesus replied, 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:36.080 my testimony is true 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:39.200 because I know where I came from 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:41.259 and where I am going. 00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:43.819 But you don't know where I come from 00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:44.819 or where I am going. 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:47.319 You judge by human standards. 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.659 I judge no one. 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:51.079 And if I do judge, 00:14:51.719 --> 00:14:53.279 my judgment is true 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:56.319 because it is not I alone who judge, 00:14:56.319 --> 00:14:59.360 but I and the Father who sent me. 00:15:00.959 --> 00:15:03.139 Jesus says to these Pharisees, 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.559 listen, even if what you're saying is true, 00:15:05.719 --> 00:15:06.659 it doesn't matter. 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:09.759 What I am saying is true because of who I am. 00:15:10.959 --> 00:15:12.779 Jesus is the Messiah. 00:15:13.839 --> 00:15:15.819 He's God in human flesh, 00:15:15.819 --> 00:15:17.759 and God does not lie. 00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:21.039 In Numbers 23, 19, 00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:22.039 the author tells us 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:24.899 that God is not like his human creation 00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:27.959 when it comes to matters of trustworthiness. 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:32.180 For God is not a man that he might lie 00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:35.660 or a son of man that he might change his mind. 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:37.820 Does he speak and not act? 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:40.000 Does he promise and not fulfill? 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:41.940 And of course, 00:15:42.040 --> 00:15:45.100 the implied answer to those rhetorical questions 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:46.600 is absolutely not. 00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:52.400 Or you can consider Titus 1, verses 1 to 3, 00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:55.759 where Paul introduces the epistle this way. 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:58.960 Paul, a servant of God 00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:01.019 and an apostle of Jesus Christ, 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:03.639 for the faith of God's elect 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:05.460 and their knowledge of the truth 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.799 that leads to godliness, 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:09.799 in the hope of eternal life 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:12.159 that God, who cannot lie, 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:14.879 promised before time began. 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:18.759 There's no need to worry about 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:21.740 whether Jesus is telling the truth or not. 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:24.580 He's not been lying to these Pharisees. 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:26.280 In fact, he cannot lie. 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:30.040 Now, I want to stop for just a moment 00:16:30.040 --> 00:16:33.139 because for those of us who are in Christ, 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:37.000 this truth should be a point of great comfort. 00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:40.340 In Romans 8, 28, 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:43.060 it tells us that in every single circumstance, 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:45.080 God is working for our good. 00:16:46.520 --> 00:16:47.840 That is a certainty. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:52.480 Or when we're told in 1 John 1, 9, 00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:54.879 that the person who confesses their sins 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.740 will be met with forgiveness, 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.960 you can rest in that truth. 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:02.620 That is a certainty. 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:04.519 Jesus is God incarnate, 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.680 and God will never, 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:07.900 indeed, he can never lie. 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:11.759 His testimony is trustworthy always. 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:16.220 In Jesus, he continues his response 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:19.660 to the Pharisees in verses 15 and 16. 00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:22.099 It says, 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.500 You judge by human standards. 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:24.640 I judge no one. 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.660 And if I do judge, 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:27.920 my judgment is true, 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:30.420 because it is not I alone who judge, 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:32.819 but I am the Father who sent me. 00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:35.819 Now, if you're anything like me, 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:38.819 you probably found verses 15 to 16 00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:39.679 a bit confusing, 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:41.639 at least at first glance. 00:17:42.939 --> 00:17:45.220 Is Jesus saying he does judge here, 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.859 or that he doesn't judge, 00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:50.359 or is John just sort of contradicting himself? 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.939 Well, I don't believe so, 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:55.439 but I need to be clear on my starting point. 00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:59.379 I think, I believe that the Bible is God's word. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.639 And as we've already discussed, 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:03.160 God cannot lie. 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:04.820 And so, I don't believe that 00:18:04.820 --> 00:18:06.220 when we properly understand 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.360 what a text is saying, 00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:09.660 the Bible ever contradicts itself. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:12.780 But those considerations aside, 00:18:12.840 --> 00:18:14.240 I think we can probably give 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:16.640 the human author of the Gospel of John 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.960 the benefit of the doubt, 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.520 because it seems unlikely 00:18:19.520 --> 00:18:21.620 that in the span of just a few verses, 00:18:21.800 --> 00:18:22.759 he would fail to notice 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:24.840 if he were actually contradicting himself. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.660 So, what is he saying here? 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:31.380 Well, I think rather than understanding 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.900 Jesus' words here 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:35.140 as a general claim to the effect 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:38.080 that he never judges under any circumstances, 00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:41.060 I think they're meant to communicate 00:18:41.060 --> 00:18:42.860 a particular kind of judgment 00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:45.220 that Jesus never engages in. 00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:48.640 And we can begin to see this 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:49.580 with greater clarity 00:18:49.580 --> 00:18:51.500 when we look at how he describes 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.560 the judgment of the Pharisees. 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:55.259 He uses this phrase 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.819 by human standards. 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:59.059 Or some translations, 00:18:59.240 --> 00:18:59.879 they use the phrase 00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:01.279 according to the flesh. 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:05.659 The Pharisees are way off base 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:08.220 in their evaluations of Jesus. 00:19:08.919 --> 00:19:09.740 And I love the way 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:10.859 this one scholar puts it. 00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:11.359 He says, 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:13.119 they see his flesh, 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.859 as it were, 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:16.319 but they never contemplate 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.039 the possibility 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:19.259 that he could be the word made flesh. 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:22.419 Jesus sees things 00:19:22.419 --> 00:19:24.019 as they truly are. 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:26.479 And he judges rightly. 00:19:27.719 --> 00:19:29.079 The text tells us 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.679 that his judgments are good 00:19:30.679 --> 00:19:31.659 and they're right 00:19:31.659 --> 00:19:33.419 and they're made in unison 00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:34.619 with the Father. 00:19:36.199 --> 00:19:37.119 And again, 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.019 in this truth, 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.759 you and I can be thankful. 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:43.240 We live in a fallen world. 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.659 A world where, 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.519 because of sin, 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.159 things are not 00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:49.439 as they should be. 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.419 As we mentioned this morning, 00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:52.819 if you watch or listen 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:54.219 to the news for an hour, 00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.000 this will become 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.799 abundantly clear. 00:19:58.399 --> 00:20:00.099 But in the midst of a world 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:02.779 so often marked by injustice, 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:05.000 we can trust that God 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.199 is seeing things 00:20:06.199 --> 00:20:07.459 for what they are. 00:20:08.719 --> 00:20:09.799 And one day, 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.700 he will exercise 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.839 final judgment. 00:20:13.419 --> 00:20:14.460 This is the way 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.279 the Apostle Paul 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:15.940 describes it. 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.220 He, 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.379 God the Father, 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.259 has set a day 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.099 when he is going 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:22.299 to judge the world 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:23.500 in righteousness 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:25.159 by the man 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:26.059 he has appointed. 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.359 He's provided proof 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.500 of this to everyone 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:31.139 by raising him 00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:31.940 from the dead. 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:34.820 And you can rest assured 00:20:34.820 --> 00:20:35.799 that when he judges, 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.279 he will judge correctly. 00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:39.160 Not in a human 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:40.400 or fallible 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.980 and fleshly way. 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.240 So to take stock 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.220 of where we've come so far, 00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:47.120 so thus far, 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:47.500 Jesus, 00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:48.240 he's grounded 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.080 the truth 00:20:49.080 --> 00:20:49.920 of his testimony 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:51.420 in his identity. 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.660 But now, 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.519 he's going to bring 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.360 an outside witness 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:56.259 to his defense. 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:58.779 Jesus teaches 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.500 those gathered 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.079 in the temple 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.839 that his testimony 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:03.599 is also affirmed 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:05.299 by God the Father. 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.319 Again, 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:07.839 in verses 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:09.700 17 and 18, 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.359 John records 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:11.940 that even 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.880 in your law, 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.480 it is written 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.319 that the testimony 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.859 of two witnesses 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:16.799 is true. 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.680 I am the one 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.440 who testifies 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.279 about myself 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:22.039 and the Father 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.960 who sent me 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.680 testifies 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.440 about me. 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:27.059 Jesus says to them, 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.859 By the way, 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:29.099 it isn't just me 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:29.759 who's saying 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.619 these things. 00:21:31.919 --> 00:21:32.440 Again, 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.079 we've already seen 00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:34.039 that in chapter 5, 00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:34.980 Jesus had presented 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:37.480 several reliable witnesses 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:37.539 ! 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.480 who have vouched 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.339 for his identity. 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:41.279 But in our text today, 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:41.940 he mentions 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.099 just one witness, 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.220 God the Father. 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.579 So how is it 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.259 that the Father 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.460 has testified 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.279 and vouched 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.200 for Jesus' 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.480 identity? 00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:53.099 Well, 00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:53.639 one way 00:21:53.639 --> 00:21:55.019 was his affirmation 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.539 of Jesus 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.440 and his ministry 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.639 that took place 00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:59.000 at Jesus' baptism. 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.279 This is how 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.180 the Gospel of Matthew 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.500 records those events. 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.539 When Jesus was baptized, 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.500 he went up 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:07.980 immediately 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.000 from the water. 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.039 The heavens 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:12.099 suddenly opened 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.599 for him 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.220 and he saw 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.299 the Spirit of God 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:16.000 descending like a dove 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.200 and coming down on him. 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.139 And a voice 00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:20.099 from heaven said, 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:22.680 This is my beloved Son, 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.220 with whom 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.759 I am well pleased. 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:28.819 Jesus 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.079 and his ministry 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:31.059 had received 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.339 the Father's stamp 00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:33.240 of approval, 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.579 a visible 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.539 and audible 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.420 affirmation 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.620 that Jesus 00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:38.900 is the Son 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.640 of God, 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.839 God 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:42.120 in human flesh. 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:43.880 And we see 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.799 another incredible 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.680 example 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.640 of this 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.700 historically 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:49.519 verifiable 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.200 event 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.960 of the resurrection 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.600 where God 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:53.600 raises Jesus 00:22:53.600 --> 00:22:54.319 from the dead 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.500 and he vindicates 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.840 his claims. 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.480 But sadly, 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.740 despite these things, 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.299 we find 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.380 the Pharisees 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:04.039 unwilling 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:05.299 or unable 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.140 to accept 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.720 what Jesus 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.600 is saying. 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:10.360 In verse 19, 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.200 they ask Jesus, 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.100 Where is this Father 00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:12.779 that you've been 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:14.240 saying so much about? 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:16.779 Now, 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.180 the text, 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.740 it doesn't say 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.359 whether this is 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:20.380 a genuine question 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.160 on the part 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.099 of the Pharisees 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:23.120 or whether 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:23.759 they're attempting 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.440 to mock 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.460 Jesus' teaching 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.420 in some way. 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.180 And I can certainly 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.059 see them asking 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.620 this question 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.039 to sort of 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.519 poke fun 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.000 at Jesus. 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.620 But either way, 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.339 this question 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.640 represents a failure 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.740 to understand 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.099 Jesus' 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:38.299 very nature 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:40.059 and the closeness 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.940 of the relationship 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.779 that he shares 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.359 with God, 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:42.859 the Father. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.500 And we can see 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.220 this in Jesus' 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.099 response to 00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:47.720 their question 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:49.380 in verse 19. 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:52.019 He says to them, 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.859 You know neither 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:54.180 me nor my Father. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:56.099 If you knew me, 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.660 you would also 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.779 know my Father. 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.779 How is it that 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.779 Jesus can say 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.960 something like that? 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:06.640 Well, 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.759 John tells us 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:09.579 in John chapter 1, 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.039 18, 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.920 that no one 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:12.240 has seen God, 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:14.019 the one 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.700 and only 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.160 Son 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:15.880 who is 00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:16.480 himself 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:16.980 God 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.759 and is 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.039 at the 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.519 Father's 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:18.740 side. 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:19.400 He has 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.900 revealed 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:20.240 him. 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.319 Another 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:23.799 translation 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.599 says that 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.539 Jesus is 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.460 in closest 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.400 relationship 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.279 with the 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:28.620 Father. 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.880 How close 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.220 is this 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.779 relationship 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.700 between Jesus 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.660 and the 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:33.920 Father? 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.140 Well, 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.620 let's flip 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:34.940 forward, 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.359 if you would, 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:35.960 just briefly 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.019 to John 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.900 chapter 14. 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:47.580 John chapter 00:24:47.580 --> 00:24:48.080 14, 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:48.440 and we're 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:48.660 going to be 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.660 looking just 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.340 really briefly 00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:50.940 at verses 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.540 8 through 00:24:51.540 --> 00:24:51.900 11. 00:24:56.780 --> 00:24:57.740 John records 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.540 this interaction 00:24:58.540 --> 00:24:59.519 between Jesus 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.500 and Philip. 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:03.000 In verse 8, 00:25:03.040 --> 00:25:03.220 it says, 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:03.600 Lord, 00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:04.480 said Philip, 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.360 show us the 00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:05.800 Father, 00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:06.740 and that's 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.200 enough for 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.559 us. 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.960 Jesus said 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.279 to him, 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:11.019 have I been 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.519 among you 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.099 all this 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.440 time, 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:12.720 and you 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.220 still don't 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.620 know me, 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:13.920 Philip? 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:15.900 The one 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.279 who has 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:16.759 seen me 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.539 has seen 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.000 the Father. 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.740 How can 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.200 you say, 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:20.880 show us 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.420 the Father? 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.460 Don't you 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.059 believe that 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.819 I am in 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.359 the Father 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:24.880 and that 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.400 the Father 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:26.279 is in me? 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.059 The words 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:28.539 I speak 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.039 to you, 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.960 I do not 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.460 speak on 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:30.920 my own. 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.559 The Father 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.059 who lives 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.539 in me 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.359 does his 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:34.700 works. 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.500 Believe me 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.120 that I am 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:36.359 in the 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:36.680 Father. 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.660 And the 00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:37.960 Father 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.519 is in 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:38.720 me. 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.180 Otherwise, 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.759 believe because 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.120 of the 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:41.420 works 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:41.960 themselves. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.240 We have 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:45.660 to remember 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.339 that yes, 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:46.900 there is a 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:47.359 distinction 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:48.779 between the 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.759 persons of 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.299 the Trinity, 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:50.799 between 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.559 Father, 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.240 Son, 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:52.980 and Holy 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.539 Spirit. 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.380 But each 00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.480 person partakes 00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.059 of the divine 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.779 nature and 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.380 is fully 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.160 God. 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.759 Sharing a 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.819 closeness and 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.440 an intimacy 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.359 that is 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.359 impossible for 00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:04.839 you and I 00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.380 as finite 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.279 humanity to 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.799 fully grasp. 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.099 As John 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.519 says, 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.359 the Son is 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.039 in closest 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.879 relationship 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.960 with the 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.299 Father. 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.480 How is it 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.039 that Jesus 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.200 can say to 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.119 these Pharisees 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.940 that if they 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.539 knew him, 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:20.920 they would 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.440 know the 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:21.759 Father? 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.859 It's because 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.500 the Father 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.299 and Son 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.359 share a 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.000 relationship 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.779 such that 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.399 Jesus can 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:28.700 say, 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.920 to see me 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.019 is to see 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.440 him. 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.440 God's 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.440 love 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.440 and 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.920 so in 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.059 this 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.660 exchange 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.600 with the 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.140 Pharisees, 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:37.660 we've seen 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:39.120 Jesus defend 00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:39.759 the truth of 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.440 his teachings 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:42.039 by appealing 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.700 to his own 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.700 identity in 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.259 the testimony 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.100 of the 00:26:45.100 --> 00:26:45.440 Father. 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.860 But now 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:48.440 as we come 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:48.960 to the 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:50.220 final verse 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.720 of this 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.320 passage, 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.019 we find 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:54.860 John's 00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:55.559 affirmation 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.720 of God's 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.080 sovereign 00:26:57.080 --> 00:26:57.759 control 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.779 over all 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.319 things. 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.440 If you 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.779 look with 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.099 me one 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.559 more time 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.019 at verse 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.379 20, 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.980 John makes 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.279 a point 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.559 here to 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:06.960 tell us 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.619 where it 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.200 is that 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.940 Jesus has 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.579 been teaching. 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.299 He says, 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:12.339 he, that 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.859 is Jesus, 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.440 he spoke 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.160 these words 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:14.660 by the 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.039 treasury 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:16.639 while teaching 00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:17.220 in the 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.519 temple, 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.879 but no 00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:19.500 one seized 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.099 him because 00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:20.720 his hour 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.399 had not 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.200 yet come. 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.259 It's 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.700 important for 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:25.920 us to 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.339 remember that 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:26.779 this is a 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.799 public place 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.759 where Jesus 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.480 has been 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.119 saying these 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:30.480 things. 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.579 And Jesus, 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.059 he's saying 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.480 some things 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:32.859 that if 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.140 they're 00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.720 understood 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.180 by the 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:34.400 people 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:34.779 listening 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.299 to them, 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:35.920 they're 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:36.400 likely to 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:36.660 put them 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.000 in some 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.879 pretty hot 00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.559 water. 00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.440 But John 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.180 reminds us 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.720 again that 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.599 Jesus was 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:43.759 being guarded 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.440 by God 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.119 for arrest 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.220 until the 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.460 proper time. 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.440 The time 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.299 would come 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.059 for Jesus 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.440 to be 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:51.859 arrested 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.000 and handed 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.799 over to 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.440 the authorities, 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.019 but not 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.599 quite yet. 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.700 There was 00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:58.440 work yet to 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:58.820 be done, 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.940 and nothing 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.680 and no 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.340 one could 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:01.740 thwart 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.240 God's 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.559 plan. 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.039 And 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.460 brothers and 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:05.660 sisters, 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.080 this is 00:28:06.080 --> 00:28:06.600 true not 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.500 only of 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.039 the events 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.519 surrounding 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:08.980 Jesus' 00:28:09.320 --> 00:28:10.100 life and 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:10.660 ministry, 00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:12.220 but our 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:12.920 lives as 00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:13.240 well. 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.559 Over 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.180 every 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:16.700 intimate 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.779 detail of 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.519 your life, 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.680 over every 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.559 intimate detail 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.160 of my 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:21.600 life, 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.019 God is 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.640 in control. 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:30.960 God is 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.800 working his 00:28:31.800 --> 00:28:32.780 perfect plan, 00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:35.060 a plan 00:28:35.060 --> 00:28:35.460 that will 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.160 result in 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.960 your good 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.540 and his 00:28:38.540 --> 00:28:39.160 glory. 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:41.180 Let's pray 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.540 together. 00:28:44.540 --> 00:28:45.480 God, thank 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.060 you so much 00:28:46.060 --> 00:28:46.320 for the 00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:46.800 opportunity 00:28:46.800 --> 00:28:48.100 to open 00:28:48.100 --> 00:28:48.800 your word 00:28:48.800 --> 00:28:49.280 today. 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:51.619 God, I 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:51.859 just want 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.139 to thank 00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:52.500 you for 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:52.940 who you 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.299 are. 00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.279 And as 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.660 we leave 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.160 this place, 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.579 would you 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.700 instill in 00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:58.099 us a 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.440 greater 00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:59.299 understanding 00:28:59.299 --> 00:28:59.759 of your 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:01.359 nature and 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:02.000 your kindness 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.279 to us in 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.379 Jesus Christ? 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.299 And would 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.779 you make us 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.639 more and more 00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:08.279 like him 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.720 each and 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.579 every day? 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:12.059 Amen.