WEBVTT 00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:09.000 Back in the Gospel of John this morning, we left off last Sunday with Jesus saying some 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:12.140 very hard words to the Jews who were gathered in the temple courts. 00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:16.780 Jesus told them that they were of their father, the devil. 00:00:18.500 --> 00:00:23.280 And the reason he said that was because they were desiring the same things as the devil 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:25.839 and doing the same things as the devil. 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:33.359 They were seeking to murder him and they were choosing to reject his words, which they knew to be true. 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:42.260 And we recalled last Sunday how all of this is explained well by what John said earlier in his Gospel. 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:44.920 John 3, verse 19 and 20. 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:46.740 This is the verdict. 00:00:47.879 --> 00:00:54.560 Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of the light 00:00:54.560 --> 00:00:56.039 because their deeds were evil. 00:00:57.440 --> 00:01:02.120 Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light 00:01:02.120 --> 00:01:05.359 for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:11.379 So Jesus has been shining the light of truth upon them, exposing their evil deeds. 00:01:12.439 --> 00:01:15.599 And now we will see how the people respond to this. 00:01:16.260 --> 00:01:18.439 John 8, verse 48. 00:01:18.439 --> 00:01:21.060 The Jews answered him, 00:01:21.060 --> 00:01:26.939 Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed? 00:01:28.859 --> 00:01:33.120 Now this isn't the first time that they've accused Jesus of being demon-possessed. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:37.039 They did that back in chapter 7, verse 20. 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:40.180 But this is the first time that they've called him a Samaritan. 00:01:40.759 --> 00:01:43.719 And they probably don't mean that in the true sense of the word, 00:01:44.180 --> 00:01:46.159 as in being from the Samaritan people. 00:01:46.159 --> 00:01:50.859 No, they're using this word as an insult, a term of contempt. 00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:54.819 Most of you know that in Jesus' day, 00:01:55.479 --> 00:01:58.539 the Jews generally looked down upon the Samaritans. 00:01:59.259 --> 00:02:02.439 There was hostility and suspicion between them. 00:02:02.780 --> 00:02:07.420 And the Jews saw the Samaritans as half-breeds and as being unclean. 00:02:08.139 --> 00:02:08.859 It's like they're saying, 00:02:09.240 --> 00:02:12.979 Didn't we say it well when we said that you were demon-possessed? 00:02:12.979 --> 00:02:15.959 A good-for-nothing half-breed? 00:02:17.479 --> 00:02:21.899 You can feel the anger and the contempt that's flowing from them 00:02:21.899 --> 00:02:26.699 as they call Jesus' names and insult him. 00:02:29.339 --> 00:02:33.259 Does Jesus know what it feels like to be insulted? 00:02:33.259 --> 00:02:52.899 Does Jesus know what it feels like to be insulted? 00:02:52.900 --> 00:02:57.580 To have the anger of people lash out at him? 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:00.140 He does. 00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:03.159 Even though he was the perfect son of God, 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:07.099 he still felt deeply the insults of people. 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:11.740 These words have just been rolling around in my head this week. 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:16.700 You dishonor me, said Jesus. 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:19.700 It's not just a cold statement of the facts. 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:21.700 Jesus experienced it personally. 00:03:21.860 --> 00:03:23.879 He felt dishonored. 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:28.820 Not only were they venting their anger and hatred towards him 00:03:28.820 --> 00:03:29.879 with the things that they said, 00:03:29.920 --> 00:03:32.520 but the things that they were saying couldn't have been more false. 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:37.020 They accused the very Son of God of having a demon, 00:03:37.879 --> 00:03:39.280 of being demon-possessed. 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:42.199 They called him a Samaritan. 00:03:42.340 --> 00:03:43.740 One of those people that we hate. 00:03:44.640 --> 00:03:45.560 Our enemies. 00:03:48.199 --> 00:03:51.759 What amazes me here is how Jesus responds. 00:03:54.120 --> 00:03:56.180 He does not retaliate in the least. 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:00.360 He doesn't insult them back. 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:02.620 He does say, 00:04:02.960 --> 00:04:04.340 I do not have a demon. 00:04:06.819 --> 00:04:08.759 But there are no... 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:10.539 Words of insult. 00:04:10.819 --> 00:04:12.400 I know if I was in that situation, 00:04:12.539 --> 00:04:13.140 I kept thinking, 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:14.740 man, I would be so angry. 00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:15.560 I would be tempted. 00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:20.500 What can I say to change the minds of the people here in this crowd right now? 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:23.899 Jesus doesn't do that. 00:04:23.959 --> 00:04:24.339 He says, 00:04:24.339 --> 00:04:26.339 I am not possessed by a demon. 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:29.800 I'm here to honor my Father, 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:31.959 and you dishonor me. 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:36.160 Verse 50, Jesus goes on. 00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:36.540 He says, 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:38.720 I am not seeking glory for myself. 00:04:39.279 --> 00:04:41.239 But there is one who seeks it. 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:43.519 And he is the judge. 00:04:44.739 --> 00:04:48.239 So even though Jesus feels the dishonoring accusations 00:04:48.239 --> 00:04:50.579 and the slanderous charges of the people, 00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:54.500 he does not seek to vindicate himself in their eyes. 00:04:54.559 --> 00:04:54.939 He says, 00:04:55.159 --> 00:04:56.339 you dishonor me, 00:04:57.339 --> 00:05:00.739 but I am not here to seek my glory. 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:06.280 Rather than taking his reputation into his own hands 00:05:06.280 --> 00:05:08.960 and fighting for it 00:05:08.960 --> 00:05:10.460 or trying to prove that, 00:05:10.579 --> 00:05:12.280 yes, I am who I say I am, 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:14.340 he will leave his reputation 00:05:14.340 --> 00:05:15.439 and his honor 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:16.460 and his name 00:05:16.460 --> 00:05:19.120 to the one who does seek his glory, 00:05:19.579 --> 00:05:20.560 his Father, 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:22.000 God. 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:24.180 He will leave his reputation 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:24.879 and his honor 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:26.360 to the true judge, 00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:28.020 to God. 00:05:29.699 --> 00:05:31.759 How Jesus responds in this moment 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:33.840 reminded me of what we've been talking about 00:05:33.840 --> 00:05:34.540 in Sunday school 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:35.580 back in 1 Peter 00:05:35.580 --> 00:05:36.720 about suffering. 00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:40.280 And Peter actually points to Jesus 00:05:40.280 --> 00:05:43.860 and perhaps even had this very moment in mind 00:05:43.860 --> 00:05:45.379 when Jesus was insulted. 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:49.500 In 1 Peter 2, verse 23, 00:05:49.500 --> 00:05:50.879 this is what Peter says. 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:52.219 He says, 00:05:52.659 --> 00:05:55.279 when they hurled their insults at Jesus, 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:57.819 he did not retaliate. 00:05:58.620 --> 00:05:59.920 When he suffered, 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:01.680 he made no threats. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:03.319 Instead, 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:04.860 he entrusted himself 00:06:04.860 --> 00:06:08.019 to him who judges justly. 00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:10.600 He deliberately 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:11.759 and consciously 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:13.259 committed himself, 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:14.300 his reputation, 00:06:14.719 --> 00:06:15.639 his honor, 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:16.819 his good name 00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:18.120 to the judge, 00:06:18.259 --> 00:06:19.199 to the true judge, 00:06:19.459 --> 00:06:20.620 to God. 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:30.600 At this point, 00:06:30.719 --> 00:06:31.000 Jesus, 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:34.800 I imagine at least in my head, 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:37.860 addresses everyone 00:06:37.860 --> 00:06:40.659 and probably speaks in a loud voice 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:44.600 and gives another one of those amazing promises. 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:47.199 A truly, truly moment. 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:48.240 Very truly, 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:49.360 or truly, truly, 00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:50.740 I tell you, 00:06:50.740 --> 00:06:54.220 whoever obeys my word 00:06:54.220 --> 00:06:57.180 will never see death. 00:06:59.100 --> 00:06:59.900 Literally, 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:02.340 whoever keeps my word 00:07:02.340 --> 00:07:04.860 will never see death 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:06.080 unto the ages. 00:07:07.980 --> 00:07:09.259 What a statement. 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:14.000 Jesus has talked about this before, 00:07:14.099 --> 00:07:14.519 but again, 00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:16.039 he's using different words here. 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:18.699 He's offering people eternal life. 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:21.480 We'll never, 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:23.139 ever see death 00:07:23.139 --> 00:07:24.039 unto the ages, 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:24.639 forever. 00:07:25.399 --> 00:07:26.519 And to receive this, 00:07:26.579 --> 00:07:27.099 he says, 00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:28.480 you must keep 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:29.519 my word. 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:33.919 Some translations say, 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:34.339 obey, 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:34.819 keep, 00:07:34.899 --> 00:07:35.279 and obey 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:36.479 are kind of sometimes 00:07:36.479 --> 00:07:37.879 the same thing. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:38.839 Keep my command, 00:07:39.299 --> 00:07:40.180 obey my word. 00:07:41.919 --> 00:07:42.339 Truly, 00:07:42.519 --> 00:07:42.740 truly, 00:07:42.839 --> 00:07:43.560 I say to you, 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:44.439 whoever of you 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:45.759 obeys my word, 00:07:45.919 --> 00:07:46.859 keeps my word, 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:50.459 you will not ever 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:51.560 see death 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:53.399 unto the ages, 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:53.959 forever. 00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:54.839 Now, 00:07:57.079 --> 00:07:57.719 there's only one 00:07:57.719 --> 00:07:58.299 who can actually 00:07:58.299 --> 00:07:58.939 make good 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:00.120 and deliver 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:00.799 on an offer 00:08:00.799 --> 00:08:02.099 like that, 00:08:02.639 --> 00:08:03.439 and that's God. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:05.799 God is the source 00:08:05.799 --> 00:08:06.959 and giver 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:07.740 of all life. 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:09.039 And so, 00:08:09.139 --> 00:08:10.359 in order to accept 00:08:10.359 --> 00:08:11.399 these words of Jesus, 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:12.939 we must have faith 00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:13.779 that God 00:08:13.779 --> 00:08:14.959 is the one 00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:15.879 who has sent him 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:16.959 with this message 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:18.579 and that he intends 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:19.579 to give this gift 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:20.399 of eternal life 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:21.419 through Jesus. 00:08:21.420 --> 00:08:23.939 But even before 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:25.040 we get to the response 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:25.620 of the people, 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:26.300 I have to say 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:26.960 that it's not going 00:08:26.960 --> 00:08:27.840 to surprise me 00:08:27.840 --> 00:08:29.580 if the people 00:08:29.580 --> 00:08:31.439 do not believe Jesus. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:34.519 How many funerals 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:35.440 do you have to attend 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:36.100 before you come 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:37.120 to know that death 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:39.080 is an unchangeable 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:39.840 certainty 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.159 for every human being? 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:43.860 In the ordinary 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:44.700 earthly sense 00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:45.360 of the words, 00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:48.240 to not see death 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:50.700 means to never die. 00:08:51.419 --> 00:08:52.879 But it seems 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:53.360 that everyone 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:55.219 dies eventually. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:57.259 And now here's 00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:58.099 a man claiming 00:08:58.099 --> 00:08:59.299 that if you obey 00:08:59.299 --> 00:09:00.099 his word, 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:02.620 you can become 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:03.279 the exception 00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:04.120 to this law 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:04.959 of the universe 00:09:04.959 --> 00:09:06.319 and cheat death 00:09:06.319 --> 00:09:07.240 not just once 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:07.819 or twice 00:09:07.819 --> 00:09:08.799 but forever. 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:12.319 There's only one 00:09:12.319 --> 00:09:13.000 being who is 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:13.899 powerful enough 00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:14.979 to make that happen. 00:09:16.039 --> 00:09:17.099 And it's the one 00:09:17.099 --> 00:09:18.099 who created us 00:09:18.099 --> 00:09:19.620 and gave us life 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:20.500 in the first place. 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:21.379 God. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:23.460 Unless Jesus 00:09:23.460 --> 00:09:24.460 speaks for him 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:26.720 and comes from him 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:27.539 then they're right 00:09:27.539 --> 00:09:28.379 to just laugh him 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:28.840 off here. 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:31.360 Let's look at 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:32.120 how they respond. 00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:33.539 Verse 52. 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:35.600 At this 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:36.460 they exclaimed 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:38.720 now we know 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:39.320 that you are 00:09:39.320 --> 00:09:40.259 demon possessed. 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:42.480 Abraham died 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:43.740 and so did 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:44.340 the prophets 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:45.200 yet you say 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:45.740 that whoever 00:09:45.740 --> 00:09:46.820 obeys your word 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:47.460 will never 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:48.440 taste death? 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:51.040 Again, 00:09:51.140 --> 00:09:51.640 they call him 00:09:51.640 --> 00:09:52.440 demon possessed. 00:09:53.420 --> 00:09:54.160 In other words, 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:55.280 what you're saying 00:09:55.280 --> 00:09:55.940 Jesus is 00:09:55.940 --> 00:09:56.720 absolute 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:57.920 baloney. 00:09:59.140 --> 00:10:00.060 Let's take a little 00:10:00.060 --> 00:10:00.940 inventory here. 00:10:01.040 --> 00:10:01.720 Let's think about 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:02.900 the men that we know 00:10:02.900 --> 00:10:04.260 God chose 00:10:04.260 --> 00:10:05.600 specially in history. 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:07.200 Men like Abraham 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:08.000 and the prophets. 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:08.940 We know that God 00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:09.760 chose them 00:10:09.760 --> 00:10:10.480 specially 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:11.700 and spoke through them 00:10:11.700 --> 00:10:12.900 and yet all of them 00:10:12.900 --> 00:10:13.360 died. 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:15.740 Except of course 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:16.120 Elijah 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:16.820 but they forgot 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:17.400 that part. 00:10:18.660 --> 00:10:19.379 All of them 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.060 died and you're 00:10:20.060 --> 00:10:20.620 saying that if 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:21.379 anyone obeys 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:21.900 your word 00:10:21.900 --> 00:10:22.600 they will never 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:23.340 taste death 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:24.060 unto eternity? 00:10:24.440 --> 00:10:25.480 I don't think so. 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:27.580 No. 00:10:28.060 --> 00:10:28.660 Not even the 00:10:28.660 --> 00:10:29.520 great forefather 00:10:29.520 --> 00:10:30.340 of our faith 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:32.320 or the prophets 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:33.160 themselves 00:10:33.160 --> 00:10:34.620 escaped death. 00:10:35.879 --> 00:10:36.740 So don't even 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:37.540 think that you can 00:10:37.540 --> 00:10:38.720 shovel baloney 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:39.320 like this 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:39.840 saying that 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:40.880 whoever keeps 00:10:40.880 --> 00:10:41.880 your word 00:10:41.880 --> 00:10:43.720 will live forever. 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:45.500 Never die. 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:49.440 They go on. 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:51.019 Are you 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:51.820 greater than 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:52.320 our father 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:52.820 Abraham? 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:55.279 He died 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:56.700 and so did 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:57.200 the prophets. 00:10:58.200 --> 00:10:58.779 Who do you 00:10:58.779 --> 00:10:59.539 think you are? 00:11:02.059 --> 00:11:03.019 You can just 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:04.000 feel it in their 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:04.419 voices 00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:05.860 and the words 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:06.480 they say. 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:07.659 These are quite 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:08.340 the questions. 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:10.340 All of them 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:11.159 are rhetorical. 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:14.839 especially this 00:11:14.839 --> 00:11:15.899 first question. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:16.339 Are you 00:11:16.339 --> 00:11:17.120 greater than 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:17.579 our father 00:11:17.579 --> 00:11:18.019 Abraham? 00:11:20.219 --> 00:11:21.000 The people 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:21.480 in the crowd 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:21.740 there, 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:22.659 they weren't 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:23.620 totally irrational 00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:24.279 or stupid. 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:26.019 Do you hear 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:26.399 what they're 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:26.980 asking? 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:29.740 It's a rhetorical 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:30.459 question and of 00:11:30.459 --> 00:11:31.059 course the answer 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:31.699 is no. 00:11:33.339 --> 00:11:34.100 But they're 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:34.959 on the right 00:11:34.959 --> 00:11:35.480 track. 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:36.500 Are you 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.220 greater than 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:37.759 our father 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:38.299 Abraham? 00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:39.919 They say. 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:40.259 No. 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:42.539 Who died? 00:11:43.719 --> 00:11:44.500 Their answer 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:45.279 is no. 00:11:45.439 --> 00:11:46.100 I don't think 00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:46.439 so. 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:47.659 But listen to 00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:48.219 the reasoning 00:11:48.219 --> 00:11:49.299 that's going 00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:49.740 on in their 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:50.240 minds. 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:51.360 The only way 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:52.019 that we could 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:52.639 accept what 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:53.279 you are saying 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:54.039 Jesus to be 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:56.039 true is if 00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:56.360 you were 00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:57.600 greater than 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.000 Abraham. 00:11:58.799 --> 00:11:59.259 We don't 00:11:59.259 --> 00:11:59.679 think you 00:11:59.679 --> 00:11:59.980 are. 00:12:00.219 --> 00:12:00.759 Is if you 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:01.240 were greater 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:01.600 than the 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:01.939 prophets. 00:12:02.699 --> 00:12:03.299 We don't 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:03.639 think you 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:03.959 are. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:06.539 But if you 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:07.159 were somehow 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:07.639 greater, 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:09.959 then perhaps 00:12:09.959 --> 00:12:10.519 you could say 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:11.100 such a thing 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:11.340 and we 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:11.820 would believe 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:12.519 you and 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:12.740 it would 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.240 be true. 00:12:14.659 --> 00:12:15.259 So the 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:16.200 people recognize 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:16.720 that Jesus 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:17.360 is claiming 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:17.940 something that 00:12:17.940 --> 00:12:18.560 goes way 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:19.840 beyond what 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:20.340 has ever been 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:21.120 claimed by the 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:21.620 people God 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.560 chose to speak 00:12:22.560 --> 00:12:23.040 through in the 00:12:23.040 --> 00:12:23.460 past. 00:12:26.040 --> 00:12:26.580 And they 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:27.120 asked Jesus 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:27.740 this question 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:28.240 at the end 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:28.659 of this 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:29.220 verse. 00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:31.340 Who do you 00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:31.779 think you 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:32.080 are? 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:33.040 Literally. 00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:33.879 Whom do you 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.500 make yourself 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.100 out to be? 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:35.220 Who do you 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:35.680 glory? 00:12:38.680 --> 00:12:39.779 Jesus 00:12:39.779 --> 00:12:40.279 answers 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:41.940 verse 54. 00:12:43.580 --> 00:12:44.680 If I 00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:45.300 glorify 00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:46.000 myself, 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:47.759 my glory 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.540 means 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:49.100 nothing. 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:50.600 My 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:51.019 Father, 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.160 whom you 00:12:52.160 --> 00:12:52.700 claim is 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:53.360 your God, 00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:54.019 is the 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:54.440 one who 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:55.100 glorifies 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:55.460 me. 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:57.580 In other 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:57.899 words, 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:58.980 I'm not 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:00.259 making myself 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:00.660 to be 00:13:00.660 --> 00:13:01.060 anything. 00:13:01.059 --> 00:13:03.039 I'm not 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:03.359 here to 00:13:03.359 --> 00:13:04.039 get glory 00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:04.699 for myself. 00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:05.159 I'm here 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:05.579 to speak 00:13:05.579 --> 00:13:06.139 the truth 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:06.459 that the 00:13:06.459 --> 00:13:06.979 Father has 00:13:06.979 --> 00:13:07.319 sent me 00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:07.899 to speak. 00:13:08.719 --> 00:13:09.159 And He 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:09.459 is the 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:10.119 one who 00:13:10.119 --> 00:13:10.699 will glorify 00:13:10.699 --> 00:13:11.039 me. 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:13.039 For the 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:13.539 third time 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:13.799 in the 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:14.139 gospel, 00:13:14.359 --> 00:13:14.739 if my 00:13:14.739 --> 00:13:15.279 counting is 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:15.519 right, 00:13:15.619 --> 00:13:16.199 Jesus just 00:13:16.199 --> 00:13:16.959 claimed again 00:13:16.959 --> 00:13:18.119 that God 00:13:18.119 --> 00:13:19.239 is going 00:13:19.239 --> 00:13:20.119 to glorify 00:13:20.119 --> 00:13:20.519 Him. 00:13:21.939 --> 00:13:22.599 It's quite 00:13:22.599 --> 00:13:22.859 a thing 00:13:22.859 --> 00:13:23.319 to say. 00:13:25.119 --> 00:13:25.639 Jesus 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:26.159 goes on, 00:13:26.219 --> 00:13:26.839 verse 55. 00:13:28.959 --> 00:13:29.719 He says, 00:13:29.819 --> 00:13:30.359 though you 00:13:30.359 --> 00:13:30.939 do not 00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:31.720 know Him, 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.120 my Father, 00:13:33.260 --> 00:13:33.640 God, 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:35.500 I know 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:35.760 Him. 00:13:36.920 --> 00:13:37.500 If I 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.000 said I 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:38.520 did not, 00:13:39.280 --> 00:13:40.040 I would 00:13:40.040 --> 00:13:40.460 be like 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:40.780 you, 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:42.480 a liar. 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:44.060 But I 00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:45.040 do know 00:13:45.040 --> 00:13:45.780 Him and 00:13:45.780 --> 00:13:46.460 obey His 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:46.860 word, 00:13:47.660 --> 00:13:48.360 says Jesus. 00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:50.000 Again, 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:50.740 Jesus tells 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:50.920 them, 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:51.520 you do 00:13:51.520 --> 00:13:52.680 not know 00:13:52.680 --> 00:13:53.300 God. 00:13:54.040 --> 00:13:54.880 You think 00:13:54.880 --> 00:13:55.380 you do, 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:56.640 but you 00:13:56.640 --> 00:13:57.200 do not. 00:13:58.500 --> 00:13:59.120 He says, 00:13:59.280 --> 00:14:00.320 I do 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:00.920 know Him. 00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.140 I 00:14:02.140 --> 00:14:02.420 couldn't 00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:03.060 even deny 00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:03.440 that I 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:03.879 know Him. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:04.260 If I 00:14:04.260 --> 00:14:05.300 were to 00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:05.980 say that I 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:06.620 didn't know 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:06.900 Him, 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.520 I would 00:14:08.520 --> 00:14:09.040 be lying. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.020 No, 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:11.420 His words 00:14:11.420 --> 00:14:11.720 are a little 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.280 more pointed 00:14:12.280 --> 00:14:12.720 than that. 00:14:12.780 --> 00:14:13.100 He says, 00:14:13.160 --> 00:14:13.379 I would 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:13.780 be like 00:14:13.780 --> 00:14:14.100 you, 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:16.040 a liar. 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:16.960 And I 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:17.280 don't think 00:14:17.280 --> 00:14:17.760 Jesus is 00:14:17.760 --> 00:14:18.200 just calling 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:18.800 names here. 00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:19.879 I think 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:20.200 He is, 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:20.580 again, 00:14:20.760 --> 00:14:21.840 speaking what 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:22.240 He knows 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:22.560 to be 00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:22.860 true. 00:14:24.060 --> 00:14:24.680 And these 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.160 people are 00:14:25.160 --> 00:14:25.560 sure to 00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:26.080 take offense 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:26.540 at that. 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:29.720 Verse 56, 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:31.420 Jesus goes 00:14:31.420 --> 00:14:31.780 on. 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.000 He says, 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:34.759 Your father, 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:35.900 Abraham, 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.480 rejoiced at 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:37.920 the thought 00:14:37.920 --> 00:14:38.520 of seeing 00:14:38.520 --> 00:14:39.660 my day. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:41.620 He saw 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.960 it and 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:43.600 was glad. 00:14:46.900 --> 00:14:47.639 This is 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.560 another amazing 00:14:48.560 --> 00:14:49.460 statement of 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:49.759 Jesus. 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:51.320 First, 00:14:51.420 --> 00:14:51.860 let's notice 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:52.620 how happy 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.200 Abraham 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:54.480 was. 00:14:55.320 --> 00:14:55.720 My 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:56.340 translation is 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:56.540 a little 00:14:56.540 --> 00:14:56.900 flat. 00:14:57.060 --> 00:14:57.360 Literally, 00:14:57.560 --> 00:14:57.879 it's more 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.360 like your 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:58.820 father, 00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.360 Abraham, 00:14:59.560 --> 00:14:59.759 was 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.900 overjoyed 00:15:00.900 --> 00:15:02.640 that he 00:15:02.640 --> 00:15:03.720 would see 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:04.940 my day. 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:08.120 So not 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:08.600 just a little 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:09.160 bit of joy, 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:09.640 but Abraham 00:15:09.640 --> 00:15:10.460 had lots 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:11.000 of joy. 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:12.860 Why? 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:14.140 Let's think 00:15:14.140 --> 00:15:14.500 about the 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:14.940 cause of 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:15.500 that great 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:15.920 joy. 00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:16.680 He was 00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:17.520 overjoyed, 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:18.140 Jesus says, 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:18.420 that he 00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:18.860 would see 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:19.940 my day. 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:22.200 What does 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:22.680 that mean? 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:26.000 And then 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.540 Jesus says 00:15:26.540 --> 00:15:26.980 one thing 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:27.200 more. 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:27.560 He says, 00:15:27.660 --> 00:15:28.040 and he 00:15:28.040 --> 00:15:28.660 saw it. 00:15:30.140 --> 00:15:30.820 As in, 00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:31.480 it's done. 00:15:32.020 --> 00:15:32.720 He saw 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.020 it. 00:15:34.920 --> 00:15:35.400 Already 00:15:35.400 --> 00:15:35.860 happened. 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.500 What is 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.180 Jesus talking 00:15:38.180 --> 00:15:38.520 about? 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:40.700 I'll be the 00:15:40.700 --> 00:15:41.240 first to admit 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:41.759 that I don't 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:43.020 know what 00:15:43.020 --> 00:15:43.660 Jesus means 00:15:43.660 --> 00:15:44.200 by this. 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:45.300 There's a 00:15:45.300 --> 00:15:46.140 few good 00:15:46.140 --> 00:15:46.780 ideas and 00:15:46.780 --> 00:15:47.360 guesses out 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:47.580 there. 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.140 Some think 00:15:48.140 --> 00:15:48.560 that this 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:49.180 refers to a 00:15:49.180 --> 00:15:49.580 particular 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.440 moment back 00:15:50.440 --> 00:15:51.660 in history 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:52.740 when Abraham, 00:15:53.339 --> 00:15:54.339 perhaps God, 00:15:54.459 --> 00:15:55.360 revealed directly 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:55.879 to him 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.699 that someday 00:15:56.699 --> 00:15:58.159 Jesus would 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:58.500 come. 00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:01.620 Maybe it's 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:01.939 just not 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.600 recorded in 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:02.959 Genesis. 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:04.819 Others think 00:16:04.819 --> 00:16:05.419 it refers to 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:06.039 how Abraham 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.719 rejoiced 00:16:06.719 --> 00:16:07.919 greatly in 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:08.519 the birth of 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.279 the promised 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:09.639 son, 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:10.399 Isaac. 00:16:10.719 --> 00:16:10.939 And that 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:11.259 kind of 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.939 through that 00:16:11.939 --> 00:16:12.319 he was 00:16:12.319 --> 00:16:12.939 anticipating 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:13.620 the coming 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.039 of the 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.379 ultimate 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.579 son who 00:16:15.579 --> 00:16:16.199 would fulfill 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:16.579 all of 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:17.220 God's 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:17.659 promises. 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.959 some people 00:16:18.959 --> 00:16:19.360 think that 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:19.639 Abraham 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:20.240 rejoiced 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:20.639 greatly 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.419 when he 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:21.879 saw the 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.219 day of 00:16:22.219 --> 00:16:22.600 Jesus, 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.659 not back 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:23.899 in the 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.279 past, 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:24.959 but right 00:16:24.959 --> 00:16:25.360 now in 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:25.879 the present. 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:27.159 Just like 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:28.240 Moses and 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:28.799 Elijah were 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:29.120 there at 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:29.240 the 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:30.079 transfiguration, 00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:31.100 perhaps Abraham 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.120 is also 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.039 watching this 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:33.659 and seeing 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:34.699 the day of 00:16:34.699 --> 00:16:35.659 Christ unfolding 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.100 right in 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:36.459 front of 00:16:36.459 --> 00:16:37.240 his eyes 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:37.699 and he's 00:16:37.699 --> 00:16:38.319 rejoicing 00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:38.819 greatly. 00:16:40.939 --> 00:16:41.600 I'm not 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:41.980 sure what 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:42.579 Jesus means 00:16:42.579 --> 00:16:42.819 here, 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:43.199 but this 00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:43.639 is how the 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:44.019 people in 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:44.339 the crowd 00:16:44.339 --> 00:16:45.000 responded to 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.579 his statement. 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:47.080 You are 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:47.540 not yet 00:16:47.540 --> 00:16:48.340 50 years 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:48.620 old, 00:16:48.660 --> 00:16:49.180 they answered, 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:51.040 and you 00:16:51.040 --> 00:16:51.639 have seen 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.100 Abraham? 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:55.340 It's kind 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:55.720 of like a 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.040 mocking 00:16:56.040 --> 00:16:56.580 statement. 00:16:57.320 --> 00:16:57.580 Like, 00:16:57.680 --> 00:16:58.240 look at 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.480 you. 00:16:59.200 --> 00:16:59.720 You're 00:16:59.720 --> 00:16:59.920 what, 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:00.660 30-something? 00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:00.920 You're 00:17:00.920 --> 00:17:01.280 not even 00:17:01.280 --> 00:17:02.060 50 yet, 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:02.379 and you 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.020 think you've 00:17:03.020 --> 00:17:03.360 seen 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.000 Abraham? 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:04.440 Like, 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:04.799 the guy 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.259 who lived 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:05.880 2,000 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:06.500 years ago? 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.100 And then 00:17:10.100 --> 00:17:10.380 Jesus 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:11.759 says this, 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:12.980 verse 58, 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:14.519 Truly, 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:15.400 truly, 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:16.439 I say 00:17:16.439 --> 00:17:16.939 to you, 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.619 before 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:19.220 Abraham 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.099 was born, 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.639 I am. 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.359 What a 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:26.679 statement. 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.279 Before 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:28.779 Abraham 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.559 was born, 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:32.039 I am. 00:17:35.399 --> 00:17:36.319 This is 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:37.179 probably 00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:38.639 the greatest 00:17:38.639 --> 00:17:39.220 thing that 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:39.839 Jesus ever 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:40.419 claimed while 00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:40.879 he walked 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.339 the earth. 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:41.399 death. 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.319 At least 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.079 it's up 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:45.339 in the 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.619 top three, 00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:47.299 perhaps. 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.039 And there's 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:49.619 so much 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:49.980 in these 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.419 words. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.599 First, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.259 let's notice 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.919 the way 00:17:52.919 --> 00:17:53.259 that this 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.539 statement 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.039 works. 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.159 He says, 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.079 before Abraham 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:56.779 was born, 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.879 I am. 00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.759 Jesus is 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.379 claiming to 00:18:00.379 --> 00:18:01.199 have existed 00:18:01.199 --> 00:18:02.399 before the 00:18:02.399 --> 00:18:02.799 day of 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.399 Abraham's 00:18:03.399 --> 00:18:03.779 birth, 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.299 2,000 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:05.740 years 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.759 earlier. 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:06.839 father. 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:08.059 That in 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:08.579 itself is 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:09.140 astounding. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.240 And this 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:11.799 is why 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:12.980 John began 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.640 his gospel 00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:14.059 in the way 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.500 he did. 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:15.980 We're going 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.279 to start 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:16.720 this story 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.000 at the 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.599 beginning of 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:17.920 Jesus' 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:18.379 story, 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:18.740 thought 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.119 John. 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:21.439 not his 00:18:21.439 --> 00:18:21.799 birth, 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:22.759 no, 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.000 the beginning. 00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:25.139 In the 00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:25.559 beginning 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:27.639 was the 00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.000 word, 00:18:28.739 --> 00:18:29.119 and the 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:29.619 word was 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.239 with God. 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.299 All things 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:32.899 were created 00:18:32.899 --> 00:18:33.899 through him, 00:18:34.239 --> 00:18:35.019 and then 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.779 later on 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.219 the word 00:18:36.219 --> 00:18:37.299 became flesh 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:37.859 and lived 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.599 among us. 00:18:40.719 --> 00:18:41.579 John was 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:42.139 listening that 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:42.479 day. 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:45.219 Jesus is 00:18:45.219 --> 00:18:46.219 no mere 00:18:46.219 --> 00:18:46.659 man. 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.119 Abraham 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:48.639 was a 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:49.220 mere man. 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:49.880 The 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:50.240 prophets 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:50.759 were mere 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.160 men, 00:18:51.360 --> 00:18:52.060 but Jesus 00:18:52.060 --> 00:18:52.620 is in 00:18:52.620 --> 00:18:53.340 fact greater 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:53.800 than all 00:18:53.800 --> 00:18:54.160 of them, 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:56.020 because he 00:18:56.020 --> 00:18:56.720 existed with 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.100 God long 00:18:58.100 --> 00:18:58.700 before any 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.200 of them were 00:18:59.200 --> 00:18:59.759 even born. 00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:03.140 This is at 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:03.500 least one 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:03.860 thing that 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:04.320 Jesus is 00:19:04.320 --> 00:19:04.620 saying. 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:07.940 But this 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.400 is in all. 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:09.720 If this was 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.259 all Jesus 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:10.759 meant, he 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.040 could have 00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:11.600 simply said, 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.500 before Abraham 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.140 was born, 00:19:13.540 --> 00:19:14.160 I was. 00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:15.660 But he 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:16.120 doesn't say 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:16.840 I was. 00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:18.360 He says, 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.600 I am. 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:21.920 This is 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:22.440 undoubtedly 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.480 a claim 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:25.600 of Jesus 00:19:25.600 --> 00:19:27.200 to be 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:27.580 God, 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:28.740 to be 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.820 the Lord, 00:19:30.080 --> 00:19:30.560 to be 00:19:30.560 --> 00:19:31.180 Yahweh. 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:33.060 This is the 00:19:33.060 --> 00:19:33.540 name that 00:19:33.540 --> 00:19:33.980 God the 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.340 Creator 00:19:34.340 --> 00:19:35.280 gives to 00:19:35.280 --> 00:19:35.759 himself, 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:36.440 ascribes 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:37.080 for himself. 00:19:37.840 --> 00:19:38.320 Perhaps you 00:19:38.320 --> 00:19:38.840 remember that 00:19:38.840 --> 00:19:39.500 story back 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.140 in Exodus 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:41.360 chapter 3 00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:42.000 verse 13 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.640 and 14. 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:44.220 Moses is 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.500 at the 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.100 burning bush, 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.820 this bush 00:19:45.820 --> 00:19:46.500 that's burning 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:46.839 and yet 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.400 not being 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:48.000 consumed. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:48.700 And God 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.420 is speaking 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.180 out of this 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:50.619 bush and 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:50.980 having a 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.559 conversation 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.140 with Moses 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:52.839 about going 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:53.880 to deliver 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:54.819 the people 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.819 from Egypt. 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:56.700 And Moses 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.500 says to God, 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.119 suppose I 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:58.640 go to the 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.000 Israelites 00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.579 and say 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.039 to them, 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:00.980 the God 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.940 of your 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.700 fathers has 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.099 sent me 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:03.500 to you. 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.359 And they 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:05.039 ask me, 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.220 what's his 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.539 name? 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.160 Then what 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:08.460 shall I 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:08.920 tell them? 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:10.819 God 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.180 said to 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:11.500 Moses, 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:11.640 Moses, 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:13.079 I am 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:13.859 who I 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:14.119 am. 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.240 This is 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.559 what you're 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:16.900 to say 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:17.200 to the 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.619 Israelites. 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.880 I am 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:20.119 has sent 00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:20.619 me to 00:20:20.619 --> 00:20:20.960 you. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.279 Now there's 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:23.660 so much 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.000 in there. 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:24.240 I mean, 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.500 we could 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:24.779 have a 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.460 whole sermon 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.279 on that 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:26.640 alone. 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.099 What does 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:27.740 that mean? 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.920 It's almost 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.500 as if God 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.000 is saying 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.460 there is 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.299 no one 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.059 name that 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:32.819 captures 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.380 all of 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:33.720 who I 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.019 am. 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.059 I am 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.500 who I 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.380 am in 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:36.940 all my 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:37.380 glory. 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.319 But this 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:40.599 is what 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:40.740 he, 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.640 the name 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:41.980 that he 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.640 takes for 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:43.259 himself and 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.940 tells Moses 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:45.400 to take 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:45.680 to the 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.559 people in 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:47.000 Egypt. 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.140 Tell them 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:48.740 that I 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.819 am has 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:50.259 sent me 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.720 to you. 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:51.960 The one 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.519 who is. 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.480 This 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.480 name seems 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.900 to refer 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:56.740 to how 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.160 God 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:58.839 exists. 00:20:59.259 --> 00:20:59.620 He is 00:20:59.620 --> 00:21:00.620 self-existent. 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.140 He is the 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:01.579 one who 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:02.640 always was, 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.180 is, 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.059 and always 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.640 will be. 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.279 And here, 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.740 amazingly, 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:11.180 Jesus 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:13.240 takes that 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.900 name upon 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:14.400 his own 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:14.759 lips. 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.339 He says, 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.319 before Abraham 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.079 was born, 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.420 I am. 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.460 And the 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.019 Jewish people 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.500 there that 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.240 day understood 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:27.799 what Jesus 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.380 was saying. 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.640 They took 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:29.900 it as 00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:30.480 blasphemy. 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:31.900 And we 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.279 know this 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.700 because of 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:32.980 how they 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.480 responded. 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:33.900 In verse 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:34.400 59, 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.099 that this, 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.440 they picked 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.240 up stones 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.039 to stone 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.299 him. 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.599 And 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:42.000 Jesus not 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.500 only claimed 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.019 to exist 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.740 before Abraham 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.440 was born, 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:45.400 he claimed 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:45.759 to be 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.200 God. 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.200 He claimed 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:48.799 to be 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.740 not just 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.440 any God 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.140 or another 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:51.539 God, 00:21:51.620 --> 00:21:51.819 but he 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.240 claimed to 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.740 be the 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.380 one true 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:53.759 God, 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:54.460 the Lord, 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.460 Yahweh, 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.539 the great 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.400 I am. 00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:00.799 And this 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.400 is why John 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.120 starts his 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:02.640 gospel the 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:02.940 way he 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.259 does. 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:03.819 It's kind 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.400 of a strange 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.039 starting at 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.359 first, 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:07.019 but it's 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.420 starting to 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.019 make sense. 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.900 in the 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.259 beginning 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.740 was the 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.000 word, 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:10.299 and the 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:10.720 word was 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.359 with God, 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:14.139 and the 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:15.339 word was 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:16.000 God. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.619 The one 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:19.059 who was 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.460 God 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:21.240 became 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:21.940 flesh 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:23.639 and dwelt 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.319 among us. 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.119 God 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:29.079 himself 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:29.700 took on 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.519 human flesh 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.759 and came 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.139 to live 00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:32.740 among us. 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:35.759 the great 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.579 I am 00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.900 walked the 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.299 earth. 00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:43.620 Jesus 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.559 does indeed 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.200 make some 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.680 astonishing 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:47.380 claims and 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:48.059 offers and 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:48.519 promises, 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.039 and we've 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.640 seen lots of 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:49.960 these in 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.220 John, 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.120 like resurrection 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:51.640 from the 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.079 dead for 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.460 those who 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:52.920 believe, 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.200 and eternal 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:54.799 life for 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.180 those who 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:55.640 keep his 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.059 word, 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:57.000 and forgiveness 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.859 of sins. 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.400 And the 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:00.799 Jews were 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:02.019 right that 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.440 day in 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.019 thinking that 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.379 for him 00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:03.960 to deliver 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.579 on these 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.059 things, 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.539 he's got 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:06.779 to be 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.279 greater than 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:07.660 Abraham, 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.019 and greater 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.359 than the 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:09.799 prophets. 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:11.379 Is he? 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.500 In Jesus' 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.220 own words, 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.960 I am. 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:19.500 this is 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:19.880 quite the 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:20.200 claim. 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.519 But this 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.799 claim has 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.259 not come 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:24.539 without 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.079 evidence. 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.440 All of 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.000 these people 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.880 have heard 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.160 of it, 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:30.160 many of 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:30.559 them have 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.160 seen it. 00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:33.400 Jesus 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:34.000 does the 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.640 very things 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.259 that only 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.799 the great 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.240 I am 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:36.740 can do. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.500 He 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:38.940 calms 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.740 storms with 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.460 his words. 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:42.920 He heals 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.539 even the 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.480 worst of 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:46.000 debilitating 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.819 sicknesses 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.480 and diseases. 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:49.680 He provides 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.559 bread for 00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:51.880 multitudes 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:52.440 out in the 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:52.819 middle of 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:53.200 nowhere. 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:56.120 And somehow 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:56.920 he knows the 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.559 very thoughts 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.220 of people's 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.460 hearts as 00:23:59.460 --> 00:23:59.960 they're thinking 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.680 them. 00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:02.720 Like 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.120 father, 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.860 like son. 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.880 The signs 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.420 are everywhere 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:08.039 that this is 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.680 no ordinary 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.160 man. 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:10.240 This isn't 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.880 even just a 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:11.940 specially chosen 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.500 man like 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.500 Abraham was. 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.740 This man 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.839 Jesus is 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.460 God 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.960 himself 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:19.140 in human 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:19.579 flesh. 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.779 He is the 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.980 great I am 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:23.039 who has come 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.500 down from 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.660 heaven to 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.119 live among 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:26.500 us and 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:26.960 amazingly 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:28.559 to give his 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.579 life for us 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.140 and to save 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:30.460 us. 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.559 I hope you 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.099 see that 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:34.519 here and I 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:34.799 hope you 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.460 believe that 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.819 and I hope 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.259 that in your 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:37.880 heart you are 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.700 rejoicing just 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.240 like Abraham 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.539 was even as 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.200 you think about 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.120 how this is 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:42.440 true. 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.880 But this 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.500 moment in the 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:45.960 story of 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.620 Jesus really 00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:47.559 is bittersweet. 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.840 It's the 00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:50.299 moment in 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:50.720 which he 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.580 wonderfully 00:24:51.580 --> 00:24:52.340 declares who 00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:52.900 he is. 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:56.200 But it's 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:56.640 also the 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.100 moment in 00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:57.420 which the 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.160 people listening 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:59.720 try to 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.140 commit one 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:00.340 of the 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:00.600 greatest 00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:01.680 evils that 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:01.980 they could 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.740 possibly do. 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.220 They try 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:03.600 to kill 00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:03.759 him. 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:07.880 John 00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:08.340 tells us 00:25:08.340 --> 00:25:09.680 that they 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.100 picked up 00:25:10.100 --> 00:25:10.620 stones to 00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:11.039 stone him 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.559 but Jesus 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.259 hid himself 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:13.240 and slipped 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.819 away from 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.220 the temple 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:14.740 grounds. 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.779 We don't 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.279 know how 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.119 exactly but 00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:18.700 one way or 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.139 another he 00:25:19.139 --> 00:25:19.859 got away and 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:22.220 they weren't 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.980 actually able to 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.539 carry out the 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:23.740 deed. 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.159 But it's 00:25:24.159 --> 00:25:24.720 bittersweet. 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.359 I mean think 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:26.859 about this. 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.960 Jesus reveals 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.839 that he is 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.460 the great I 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:30.559 am and in 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.079 that same 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:32.240 moment they 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.779 tried to 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.240 kill him. 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.740 What about 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.000 you? 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.700 Do you 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.319 believe that 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:41.039 Jesus is 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.779 the great 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.220 I am? 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.980 God who 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.359 has come 00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:47.279 down into 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:47.879 our world 00:25:47.879 --> 00:25:48.759 and taken 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.279 on human 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:49.859 flesh and 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:50.319 lived among 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:50.659 us? 00:25:50.659 --> 00:25:51.259 Do you 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.720 believe that 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.259 he's greater 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:52.960 than Abraham? 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:54.899 Greater than 00:25:54.899 --> 00:25:55.179 all the 00:25:55.179 --> 00:25:55.619 prophets? 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.419 Do you 00:25:57.419 --> 00:25:57.819 believe that 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.079 he can 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:58.659 deliver on 00:25:58.659 --> 00:25:58.980 all that 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.519 he's promised 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.000 to do 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:02.099 for those 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.519 who believe 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:02.899 in him? 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:05.980 God can 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.860 forgive sins. 00:26:07.800 --> 00:26:08.519 God can 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.340 raise people 00:26:09.340 --> 00:26:10.180 back to 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.740 life after 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.220 they die. 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:12.040 God can 00:26:12.040 --> 00:26:13.820 give eternal 00:26:13.820 --> 00:26:14.360 life, 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.700 sustain life 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.480 forever. 00:26:18.080 --> 00:26:18.920 And he 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.540 himself has 00:26:19.540 --> 00:26:20.060 come down 00:26:20.060 --> 00:26:20.759 to offer 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.440 all of this 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:23.360 in his 00:26:23.360 --> 00:26:24.860 words to 00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:25.700 whoever believes. 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:28.279 or in 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:28.460 this 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:28.920 passage, 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:29.680 if you 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.819 keep my 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.160 word, 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:31.620 to those 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:32.039 who keep 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.220 his 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:32.500 word. 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.440 Do you 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:35.880 believe in 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.140 Jesus? 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.080 Are you 00:26:39.080 --> 00:26:39.640 keeping his 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:39.900 word? 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.000 Lord, 00:26:40.600 --> 00:26:42.900 let's 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.140 pray. 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.380 Lord 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:47.740 Jesus, 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:49.340 we thank 00:26:49.340 --> 00:26:49.600 you for 00:26:49.600 --> 00:26:50.200 coming down. 00:26:51.080 --> 00:26:51.780 We can't 00:26:51.780 --> 00:26:52.320 even imagine 00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:52.820 what it was 00:26:52.820 --> 00:26:54.180 like to be 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:56.120 there that 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:57.140 day and 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:57.700 to face 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.320 what you 00:26:58.320 --> 00:26:58.800 faced, 00:26:59.400 --> 00:26:59.920 the hatred, 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:00.660 the anger. 00:27:02.560 --> 00:27:03.180 But we 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:03.500 thank you 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:03.780 that you 00:27:03.780 --> 00:27:04.420 came down 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:06.019 and that 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.420 you went 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:07.660 through that 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.300 and even 00:27:08.300 --> 00:27:08.620 more, 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:09.140 all the way 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:09.460 to the 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:09.880 cross. 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.320 For us, 00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:11.720 so that we 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.019 could be 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.320 saved. 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:12.800 Thank you 00:27:12.800 --> 00:27:13.120 that you 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:13.740 give us 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:15.740 eternal life 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.360 and that we 00:27:16.360 --> 00:27:17.000 will never 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.300 die. 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:17.920 Those of us 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.880 who believe 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.280 in you and 00:27:19.280 --> 00:27:19.660 keep your 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:19.940 word, 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.880 that's amazing. 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.700 And for all 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.100 of us here 00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:24.640 this morning, 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:24.920 Lord, 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.500 we pray and 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:25.920 ask that you 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.240 would help 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.780 us not to 00:27:26.780 --> 00:27:27.160 take your 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.720 word lightly, 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:28.800 but to 00:27:28.800 --> 00:27:30.280 believe from 00:27:30.280 --> 00:27:30.940 our hearts, 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.380 from the 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:32.900 depths of our 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.140 hearts, 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.860 everything you 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.140 said, 00:27:35.040 --> 00:27:35.600 and to hold 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:36.060 on to it, 00:27:36.100 --> 00:27:36.800 to keep it 00:27:36.800 --> 00:27:38.080 all the way 00:27:38.080 --> 00:27:38.820 to the end 00:27:38.820 --> 00:27:39.100 when you 00:27:39.100 --> 00:27:39.440 return. 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:41.400 we long 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:41.720 for that 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.000 day. 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:43.880 In your 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:44.140 name, 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:44.940 amen. 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.080 Amen. 00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:59.480 Amen.