WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.560 John 9, verses 1-18 and 24-34 00:00:06.560 --> 00:00:12.240 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 00:00:12.780 --> 00:00:19.760 His disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? 00:00:20.359 --> 00:00:24.420 Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus. 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:29.600 But this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.179 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. 00:00:34.759 --> 00:00:37.079 Night is coming, where no one can work. 00:00:37.939 --> 00:00:40.719 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 00:00:41.460 --> 00:00:47.560 Having said this, he pat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 00:00:48.179 --> 00:00:50.840 Go, he told him, wash in the pool of Siloam. 00:00:51.159 --> 00:00:54.120 So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 00:00:55.019 --> 00:00:59.480 His name was in those who had formerly seen him begging, asked. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.179 Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg? 00:01:03.619 --> 00:01:05.519 Some claimed that he was. 00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:08.659 Others said, no, he only looks like him. 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:11.760 But he himself insisted, I am the man. 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:14.180 How then were your eyes opened? 00:01:14.420 --> 00:01:15.099 They demanded. 00:01:15.920 --> 00:01:20.560 He replied, the man they called Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. 00:01:21.079 --> 00:01:23.480 He told me to go to Siloam and wash. 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:26.719 So I went and washed, and then I could see. 00:01:27.320 --> 00:01:28.480 Where is this man? 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:29.300 They asked him. 00:01:29.640 --> 00:01:31.079 I don't know, he said. 00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:35.540 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 00:01:35.540 --> 00:01:41.500 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. 00:01:42.580 --> 00:01:47.140 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received a sight. 00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:52.520 He put mud on my eyes, the man replied, and I washed, and now I see. 00:01:53.380 --> 00:01:58.600 Some of the Pharisees said, this man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath. 00:01:58.599 --> 00:02:03.739 But others asked, how can a sinner do such miraculous signs? 00:02:04.099 --> 00:02:05.179 So they were divided. 00:02:06.399 --> 00:02:09.799 Finally they turned again to the blind man. 00:02:10.479 --> 00:02:13.219 What have you to say about him? 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:14.719 It was your eyes he opened. 00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:17.400 The man replied, he is a prophet. 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:25.699 The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents. 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:34.120 In verse 24, a second time they summoned the man who had been blind. 00:02:34.799 --> 00:02:37.099 Give glory to God, they said. 00:02:37.539 --> 00:02:39.079 We know this man is a sinner. 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:44.479 He replied, whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. 00:02:44.979 --> 00:02:48.479 One thing I do know, I was blind, but now I see. 00:02:49.459 --> 00:02:53.120 Then they asked him, what did he do to you? 00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:54.639 How did he open your eyes? 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:59.639 He answered, I have told you already, and you did not listen. 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:02.219 Why do you want to hear it again? 00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:05.079 Do you want to become his disciples too? 00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:10.299 Then they hurled insults at him and said, you are this fellow's disciple. 00:03:10.839 --> 00:03:12.579 We are disciples of Moses. 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:19.419 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from. 00:03:19.419 --> 00:03:23.639 The man answered, now that is remarkable. 00:03:24.019 --> 00:03:25.739 You don't know where he comes from. 00:03:26.299 --> 00:03:27.619 Yet he opened my eyes. 00:03:28.399 --> 00:03:30.939 We know that God does not listen to sinners. 00:03:31.299 --> 00:03:34.319 He listens to the godly man who does his will. 00:03:35.119 --> 00:03:39.179 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:42.459 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. 00:03:43.279 --> 00:03:47.299 To this they replied, you are steeped in sin at birth. 00:03:47.300 --> 00:03:49.060 How dare you lecture us? 00:03:49.600 --> 00:03:50.820 And they threw him out. 00:03:52.760 --> 00:04:01.920 So back again to the Gospel of John, the sixth sign, the healing of the man born blind. 00:04:02.040 --> 00:04:05.400 And we'll take that in connection with what we read at the beginning, where Jesus said, 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:10.120 I am the light of the world, where he has come to shine in the darkness, 00:04:10.660 --> 00:04:14.740 to reveal the glory and the truth of God to us. 00:04:14.740 --> 00:04:23.720 Let me begin with an interview that I came across this week of a man left almost entirely blind, 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:30.019 having been shot in a drug deal that went badly wrong in the States. 00:04:30.840 --> 00:04:35.900 And in that interview, the man revealed how those events humbled him. 00:04:35.899 --> 00:04:43.139 And he said, as my physical eyes were closed, my spiritual eyes were opened, as it were. 00:04:43.919 --> 00:04:47.039 I finally saw how I'd been treating people. 00:04:47.719 --> 00:04:48.779 I changed. 00:04:49.459 --> 00:04:51.500 It was a terrible price to pay. 00:04:52.379 --> 00:04:55.339 And yet I must say it was worth it. 00:04:56.799 --> 00:04:58.679 Now our story today is very different. 00:04:58.680 --> 00:05:03.400 The man had been born physically blind, but then Jesus healed him. 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:09.819 But there's similarity in that spiritually, his eyes too were opened, 00:05:10.280 --> 00:05:13.620 as his physical eyes, in his case, were opened also, 00:05:14.259 --> 00:05:16.960 as Jesus, by his mercy, brought that wonderful miracle. 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:21.920 So our sixth sign, it reveals to us, 00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:26.780 is a signpost to us that Jesus comes to shine God's light in our world, 00:05:27.280 --> 00:05:31.840 to bring mercy, to bring restoration, to bring hope and healing. 00:05:33.020 --> 00:05:37.220 But he also comes as a light that reveals the glory and the truth of God. 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:41.800 Now some, and we'll see this really clearly as we think about the story, 00:05:42.259 --> 00:05:44.680 some are blinded by the light. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:48.439 They are blind to the truth of Jesus. 00:05:48.579 --> 00:05:51.199 They reject him and turn their back on him. 00:05:51.879 --> 00:06:00.420 But others, like this man here, are guided by the light into life-changing joy. 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:05.040 One, Saviour Jesus, two very different responses. 00:06:05.540 --> 00:06:09.319 As his light shines, as preachers of our past age used to say, 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:14.160 the same sun that melts the ice hardens the clay. 00:06:14.680 --> 00:06:16.660 So again, we'll be thinking about our own response. 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:23.939 But let's begin thinking about this sign where Jesus brings light out of darkness. 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:29.759 Now, did you notice that our story begins with a faulty, 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:34.680 but at the same time, a common view of suffering at the time of Jesus? 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:40.560 His disciples, seeing a man blind from birth, asked who sinned, this man or his parents. 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:46.199 They wanted to make a straight line connection between sin and suffering. 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:49.780 Either a person sinned, a family member sinned. 00:06:50.199 --> 00:06:51.300 And so judgment had come. 00:06:51.399 --> 00:06:53.500 They're looking for blame. 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:56.240 Jesus takes a different view. 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:58.660 He says that neither this man nor his parents, 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:03.000 but it happened so the works of God might be displayed in him. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:07.779 So suffering is regarded as not outside of God's control. 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:14.819 And this man's suffering will result in God's work being displayed. 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:18.639 Just as a brief side note, 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:25.939 suffering instinctively makes people, makes us ask the why question. 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:27.879 Why this pain? 00:07:28.300 --> 00:07:32.019 Why is this happening to me or to this other group? 00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:37.339 And cultures throughout history have always looked to find answer 00:07:37.339 --> 00:07:40.180 and to find purpose in suffering. 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:44.579 And one of the challenges with the modern Western view of the world, 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:47.379 that this material world is all there is, 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:52.860 where pleasure and comfort are the only goal to pursue, 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:56.920 then suffering really has no purpose. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:02.939 Suffering is nothing other than a chaotic interruption. 00:08:04.080 --> 00:08:05.540 And so as a consequence, 00:08:05.780 --> 00:08:10.819 our modern way of thinking provides no real resources for dealing with suffering. 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:13.540 So we're more comfortable than people have ever been, 00:08:14.420 --> 00:08:17.639 but we feel the trauma of loss and grief and suffering 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:19.920 more than any time in history. 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:22.060 Christianity is different. 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:25.180 Think about the story of the two men, 00:08:25.540 --> 00:08:27.540 the drug dealer who became a Christian, 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:29.259 the blind man in our story. 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:32.519 They will both say to us in their stories, 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:37.820 suffering can be redeemed in the hands of God. 00:08:38.680 --> 00:08:41.019 And Christianity, the Bible says that. 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:44.279 You know, suffering has purpose, 00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:46.039 can have purpose in our lives. 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:48.500 It can be a megaphone, like C.S. Lewis said, 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:52.559 to get attention, to remind us of higher realities, 00:08:52.679 --> 00:08:55.360 to remind us of our mortality or eternal realities. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:57.799 In the Christian experience, 00:08:57.980 --> 00:09:05.000 suffering can have that refining process of helping us to mature and grow in faith. 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:08.559 And we see, especially in the coming of Jesus, 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:12.620 that our God is not distant and uninvolved, 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:16.320 but in Jesus, he knows suffering. 00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:22.120 And further, God is able to bring good from evil. 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:26.240 And we see that especially in the cross of Jesus, 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:28.159 where that great injustice, 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:31.480 Jesus killed by evil men, 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:34.279 according to God's plan, 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:37.779 became the means for salvation 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:40.799 for everyone who would believe. 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:43.320 So Christianity, if you're tuning in 00:09:43.320 --> 00:09:46.420 and you're suffering and you're asking why, 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:50.379 Christianity has resources for you. 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:53.080 But to go on with our story, 00:09:53.540 --> 00:09:59.720 then we see Jesus is urgent in his sense of mission. 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:01.740 As long as it's day, 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:04.160 we must do the works of him who sent me, 00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:05.240 because night is coming. 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:06.760 Now, what does Jesus mean by that? 00:10:06.840 --> 00:10:08.760 So Jesus came to be the light of the world. 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:12.419 So he came revealing in his person, 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:13.659 the glory of God, 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:15.919 the glory of God's plan of salvation, 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:17.799 the sending of his own son, 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:21.559 in rescuing people from moral and spiritual darkness, 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:22.639 in recovering us, 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:25.679 restoring us to relationship with God. 00:10:25.819 --> 00:10:28.700 And he knows that he has only a certain amount of time 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:30.360 before the night will come, 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:33.500 referring to his arrest and his day. 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:36.720 So Jesus would not always be among us, 00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:37.700 but while he was, 00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:39.900 he wanted to be doing the work of God. 00:10:40.780 --> 00:10:43.680 And so this sign is the work of God. 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:46.240 He's bringing light where there was darkness. 00:10:46.400 --> 00:10:48.840 This is both physically and spiritually true 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:50.680 in the man's case. 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:51.780 How does he do it? 00:10:52.540 --> 00:10:55.040 Verse six, we see Jesus takes the initiative, 00:10:56.140 --> 00:10:57.060 spat on the ground, 00:10:57.160 --> 00:10:58.340 made some mud with the saliva, 00:10:58.500 --> 00:10:59.820 put it on the man's eyes, 00:11:00.200 --> 00:11:02.440 go wash in the pool of Siloam. 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:04.920 He makes a mud pack 00:11:04.920 --> 00:11:07.660 and he gives him a command to go. 00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:12.320 And a miracle of healing takes place. 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:16.240 Just as in creation, 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:19.400 God said, let there be light. 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:22.660 And there was light to expel the darkness. 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:26.559 So in this story of new creation, 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:31.399 Jesus' light shines and trusting in Jesus 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:37.899 and seeing his glory means the end of our spiritual darkness. 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:42.319 As the light of God's salvation shines, 00:11:42.319 --> 00:11:47.720 to fall under those beams and to receive that warmth 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:54.480 is to know light and life and restoration. 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:58.700 Every bit as true as in this man's case. 00:11:59.060 --> 00:12:00.700 Now, the Pharisees. 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:03.620 The Pharisees, as we'll see, 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:06.100 are blind to the light. 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:12.060 They reject because of pride and prejudice. 00:12:12.059 --> 00:12:13.239 So as the story goes on, 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:15.719 what happens is that the man's neighbours are shocked 00:12:15.719 --> 00:12:16.799 and they're confused. 00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:20.159 First century people weren't instinctively gullible. 00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:21.379 They knew people who were blind 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:22.779 didn't just receive their sight. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:24.379 And so they're asking the question, 00:12:24.699 --> 00:12:26.279 what are we to make of this? 00:12:26.299 --> 00:12:27.719 And so they take it to the Pharisees 00:12:27.719 --> 00:12:31.239 as the religious and moral leaders of the day. 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:33.820 And in verses 14 to 34 of our text, 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.799 what we see effectively, 00:12:35.180 --> 00:12:36.379 we don't have time to read it, 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:38.299 but there's an official investigation 00:12:38.299 --> 00:12:40.259 that begins into this incident. 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:42.940 We get three different interrogations, 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:45.019 twice of the man born blind 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:46.639 and once of his parents. 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:51.940 But what we'll see is pride and prejudice towards Jesus 00:12:51.940 --> 00:12:54.500 that the verdict is already in. 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:57.399 They're not coming to the evidence with an open mind. 00:12:57.399 --> 00:13:01.360 Let me at this point issue a caution 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:04.740 for each of you listening today 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:10.039 to be careful that pride and prejudice 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:13.480 in our own hearts wouldn't stop you 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:17.100 from really exploring who Jesus is 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:19.600 to thinking about his claims 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:24.319 and the implications of his life and death and resurrection. 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:27.920 Don't be like the Pharisees, in other words. 00:13:28.060 --> 00:13:30.300 Don't dismiss him out of court. 00:13:31.040 --> 00:13:34.600 Rather, hear him on his own terms. 00:13:35.400 --> 00:13:38.720 Read the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:41.560 and discover Jesus for yourself. 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:45.180 Now let's think about these interrogations briefly. 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:47.140 Verse 1's in verses 14 to 17. 00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:48.920 They bring the blind man in 00:13:48.920 --> 00:13:51.500 and the focus is on how did this happen? 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:54.539 Not on who did it. 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:56.200 Not only for someone to worship. 00:13:56.720 --> 00:14:00.759 There's also a focus on Sabbath rules. 00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:01.940 It happens on a Sabbath. 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:05.360 And so here's this controversy about the Sabbath again. 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:07.879 And according to their extra rules, 00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:09.419 not biblical rules, extra rules, 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:13.299 Jesus has broken their laws 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:16.580 because he has shown mercy on a Sabbath 00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.759 when it's not life and death. 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:19.279 They said that was wrong. 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:21.759 How different is that to God who delights to show mercy? 00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:27.939 They would have blamed Jesus for kneading mud as work 00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:34.079 and anointing eyes was also considered unnecessary work. 00:14:34.839 --> 00:14:38.539 So there's three strikes against Jesus' name. 00:14:38.679 --> 00:14:40.579 So in their pride, 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:44.620 they say this man is not from God. 00:14:45.400 --> 00:14:47.060 This man is a sinner. 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:48.780 He is a lawbreaker. 00:14:48.920 --> 00:14:51.660 They stand in judgment of Jesus 00:14:51.660 --> 00:14:55.160 because he doesn't fit into their thinking. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:58.600 Although not all of them agree. 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:01.860 So some of the Pharisees said, 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:04.580 how can a sinner perform such signs? 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:06.080 So some are thinking, 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.000 well, hold on a minute. 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:09.100 This is the power of God at work. 00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:11.120 So we need to do a rethink. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:13.639 We need to assess this evidence. 00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:16.120 And there's a really healthy attitude 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:19.560 to follow the evidence where it leads. 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:23.780 Very difficult to not come with their own bias and prejudice. 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:29.339 But read the Bible with an open mind. 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:31.439 Follow the evidence to where it leads. 00:15:32.439 --> 00:15:33.639 Second interrogation, 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:35.019 verses 18 to 23, 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:38.179 takes place with the man's parents. 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.879 And there they're asking the question, 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:42.819 who is this guy? 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:44.039 Is he really your son? 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:45.740 Was he really born blind? 00:15:46.680 --> 00:15:48.120 But they're also asking them, 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:50.580 how is he able to see? 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:52.840 So they confirm the first, 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.740 yes, he's our son, 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:56.139 but they're afraid to answer the second. 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:58.960 There's a penalty in force. 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:00.980 Anyone who speaks up for Jesus 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:02.860 is going to get thrown out of the synagogue, 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:05.100 thrown out of sort of religious community. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.120 And so they don't want to speak. 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.659 They say, well, our son's old enough. 00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:09.340 Just ask him. 00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:10.539 And so they bring him back in, 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:14.960 a third interrogation from verse 24 to 34. 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:17.320 And what we see from them 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:21.960 is absolute cast iron pride and certainty 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:24.379 that they are on God's side, 00:16:24.780 --> 00:16:25.740 that they're the good guys, 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:26.800 that Jesus is the enemy, 00:16:26.900 --> 00:16:27.920 that they stand, as it were, 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:29.340 on the right side of history. 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:30.660 So they can say, verse 24, 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:34.940 we know this man is a sinner. 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:37.580 They can say of themselves, 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:39.000 we're disciples of Moses. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.800 We know God spoke to Moses. 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:43.200 But this fellow, Jesus, 00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:45.340 we know where he came from. 00:16:47.140 --> 00:16:48.640 And they'll say of the man, 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:50.060 because they don't like the way he's responding, 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:51.480 you were steeped in sin at birth. 00:16:51.560 --> 00:16:53.759 How dare you lecture us? 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:56.360 They are so certain of their position. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.840 They never stop to consider 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:03.040 where is the power of Jesus coming from? 00:17:03.400 --> 00:17:06.240 Where is his authority coming from? 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:09.259 They claim to be on Moses' side. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:12.200 But Jesus, in chapter 5 and verse 45, 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.480 has already said to them, 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.660 you're accused of Moses, 00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:16.019 in whom your hopes are set. 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.440 If you believe Moses, 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.359 you would believe me, 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.539 for he wrote about me. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:23.259 Moses promised a prophet to come 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.160 who would be like him, 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:26.779 who would know God face to face, 00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:28.220 who would lead the people 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:30.700 to spiritual freedom. 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:33.019 And that, of course, is Jesus. 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:38.380 So they have declared their verdict on Jesus. 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.080 He's a sinner. 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.740 He's not a friend of God. 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:41.860 They want nothing to do with him. 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:44.220 Well, Jesus delivers his verdict on the Pharisees. 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.019 Verse 41. 00:17:46.360 --> 00:17:46.980 If you are blind, 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:48.220 you would not be guilty of sin. 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.900 But now that you claim you can see, 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.559 your guilt remains. 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:54.639 To reject Jesus 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:58.319 is to stand on the wrong side of history, 00:17:58.859 --> 00:18:01.559 is to be in the dark spiritually, 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:07.139 to remain in the guilt of our sin before God. 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:09.919 Having the laws of Moses cannot help. 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:15.059 The law came after the promise 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:16.379 and after grace. 00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:20.099 Jesus came full of grace and truth. 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:24.659 Jesus is the light of the world. 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:26.599 And what's clear from the Pharisees 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:28.519 is that his light as it shines, 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:29.679 it has this function 00:18:29.679 --> 00:18:33.379 of exposing the darkness of sin. 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:36.399 Sunshine has that effect, doesn't it? 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.719 You clean your car, 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.519 you clean your windows, 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:39.559 you think you've done a great job, 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:40.399 then the sun shines 00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:40.959 and you see it, 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.980 miss that cobweb 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:44.500 or you still see that smear there. 00:18:45.699 --> 00:18:47.240 Or think about those 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:50.039 police camera action shows. 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:50.439 You know, 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.859 where there's the police helicopter 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:53.799 and he's got this night vision camera 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:55.859 and there's some kind of criminal 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:57.000 hiding in the bushes, 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:57.939 think they can't be seen, 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.519 but the light exposes. 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:03.079 That's one of the functions 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:04.279 of Jesus coming. 00:19:05.939 --> 00:19:08.719 Jesus must expose the fact 00:19:08.719 --> 00:19:09.659 that we have sinned. 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:12.759 And so he must humble us. 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:16.460 Just like the former drug dealer. 00:19:16.800 --> 00:19:19.820 I was humbled by my circumstances, 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:22.440 humbled ultimately in the hands of God 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:25.200 to recognise the darkness 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:27.759 that lurks in our hearts, 00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:28.420 in our lives, 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.440 in our minds. 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.120 Ways in which we have failed to love God, 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:34.420 ways in which we have failed to love others. 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:37.259 Jesus must humble us 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:39.019 to admit that we need a saviour, 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:42.700 that we cannot get our way to God by ourselves, 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:43.840 that we cannot have hope 00:19:43.840 --> 00:19:46.860 in life and in death without Jesus. 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:48.719 So again, 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:51.259 read the Gospels, 00:19:52.199 --> 00:19:53.599 discover Jesus. 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.979 And if you've already come to that point 00:19:55.979 --> 00:19:56.799 where you know 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:59.679 that Jesus came to be a saviour for sinners 00:19:59.679 --> 00:20:00.959 and you know you're a sinner, 00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:03.599 then choose Jesus. 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.799 Choose the light. 00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:06.159 Turn to him. 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.240 Turn away from sin. 00:20:07.399 --> 00:20:08.199 Trust in him 00:20:08.199 --> 00:20:11.939 and live enjoying his light every day. 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:15.559 So that's the Pharisees, 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.920 but we need to concentrate 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.720 a little bit of attention 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:19.380 on the man 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:21.880 who gives a powerful testimony 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:23.180 to Jesus 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:25.400 as the light of the world. 00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:28.140 I always find it fascinating 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:30.299 to read accounts 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:32.600 of how the early church 00:20:32.600 --> 00:20:35.380 went from a very small handful 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:37.900 of followers of Jesus in Jerusalem 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:39.400 to spreading 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:40.780 and coming to dominate 00:20:40.780 --> 00:20:42.220 the Roman Empire 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:45.140 by the fourth century. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:48.200 And that happened largely 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:51.500 because of ordinary men and women 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:53.740 sharing their stories 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:56.320 of discovering the truth about Jesus 00:20:56.320 --> 00:20:58.680 and how he had changed them. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:01.140 That change largely came 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:04.680 as Christians faithfully lived their lives 00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:07.380 suffering and serving 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:09.460 and all the while seeking 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.920 to give glory to Jesus. 00:21:11.340 --> 00:21:12.240 People like this guy 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:14.760 are why the church crew 00:21:14.760 --> 00:21:17.420 in the face of official opposition, 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:20.120 as he faces insult 00:21:20.120 --> 00:21:21.680 and ridicule 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:23.480 and the potential loss 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.600 of community, 00:21:25.520 --> 00:21:26.520 he clearly, 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:27.660 honestly, 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.280 boldly 00:21:29.280 --> 00:21:31.520 spoke of what Jesus had done. 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:33.700 He was a man who 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:35.220 from the moment 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:37.000 Jesus came into his life 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.579 was all about Jesus. 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.880 He's a wonderful model for us. 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:44.680 And the story of Jesus' 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:46.600 powerful, transforming work 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:47.160 in his life 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.579 gave him the opportunity 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.240 to speak 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:50.299 and he didn't waste it. 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:53.059 Whether it's to friends 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:53.600 and neighbours, 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:54.799 whether it's 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:56.519 to the religious opposition, 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:58.279 that's a beautiful pattern 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.200 for us to follow 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:01.039 in the 21st century, 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.880 whether you're in Edinburgh, 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:03.079 whether you're somewhere else. 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:06.000 To use our stories 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.740 if we're Christians 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:08.419 to give glory 00:22:08.419 --> 00:22:09.659 to Jesus. 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.359 So we see it 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:11.859 with his neighbours 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.379 when they say, 00:22:12.439 --> 00:22:13.259 is that really you? 00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:14.799 What earth has happened to you? 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:15.980 What does he say? 00:22:16.159 --> 00:22:16.599 Jesus 00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:18.559 made me see. 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.240 When the Pharisees 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.079 are interrogating him, 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:22.419 who do you say Jesus is? 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.539 He answers, 00:22:23.659 --> 00:22:24.460 he is a prophet. 00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:25.159 Clearly, 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.799 he speaks God's word 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.839 with God's power. 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:31.220 And when they accuse Jesus 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:32.539 of being a sinner, 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:35.439 the man says, 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.220 that's remarkable. 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:37.960 You don't know 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:39.199 where he comes from, 00:22:39.919 --> 00:22:41.539 yet he opened my eyes. 00:22:42.179 --> 00:22:42.919 We know that God 00:22:42.919 --> 00:22:44.019 does not listen to sinners, 00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:45.500 he listens to the godly person 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.359 who does his will. 00:22:47.199 --> 00:22:48.039 Nobody has ever heard 00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:48.859 of opening the eyes 00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:49.899 of a man born blind. 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:51.339 If this man were not from God, 00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:52.799 he could do nothing. 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.399 God performed a miracle. 00:22:54.879 --> 00:22:56.179 God doesn't listen to sinners, 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.399 but he listens to the godly. 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.939 Jesus must be from God. 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.740 There's no other way 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.899 to explain his power. 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.679 Very simple, 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.359 very clear, 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:03.519 very powerful testimony. 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:05.059 At this stage, 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:06.339 he doesn't know everything 00:23:06.339 --> 00:23:07.740 about the identity of Jesus, 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.579 but still there is 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.639 that clear faith 00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:11.519 and that powerful testimony. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.099 And Jesus isn't done with him. 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.799 In verse 35, 00:23:14.959 --> 00:23:16.059 we see Jesus again 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:18.299 take the initiative. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.579 Hearing that he's been thrown 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:21.199 out of the synagogue, 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.479 he found him and said, 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.219 do you believe 00:23:23.219 --> 00:23:24.219 in the son of man? 00:23:24.659 --> 00:23:25.699 Jesus wants to give him 00:23:25.699 --> 00:23:27.979 clearer spiritual light. 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.839 And so what he does 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.859 in this man's life 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.939 is he reveals himself 00:23:30.939 --> 00:23:31.559 to the man 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:33.619 as the son of man. 00:23:34.939 --> 00:23:36.219 A great title 00:23:36.219 --> 00:23:37.659 from Daniel chapter 7 00:23:37.659 --> 00:23:38.679 of this figure 00:23:38.679 --> 00:23:40.339 coming from the presence 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:40.799 of God, 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:42.439 sent with glory 00:23:42.439 --> 00:23:43.319 and authority 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:44.159 and the right 00:23:44.159 --> 00:23:45.599 to rule forever. 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.839 Jesus says, 00:23:47.159 --> 00:23:47.759 that's me. 00:23:48.699 --> 00:23:50.639 I am God's true 00:23:50.639 --> 00:23:52.579 and final prophet 00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:53.619 and king. 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:55.039 And the man's response 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.019 in verse 38, 00:23:56.699 --> 00:23:57.159 the man said, 00:23:57.199 --> 00:23:58.099 Lord, I believe. 00:23:58.639 --> 00:23:59.599 And he worshipped him. 00:23:59.699 --> 00:24:00.359 He believes 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.839 and he honours. 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:06.019 For you, 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.719 if you are a Christian 00:24:06.719 --> 00:24:08.139 listening today, 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:10.159 recognise that Jesus 00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:12.139 wants to keep giving us 00:24:12.139 --> 00:24:13.399 new sight, 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.699 new insight 00:24:14.699 --> 00:24:16.759 into his glory, 00:24:17.199 --> 00:24:18.000 his love, 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:18.959 his goodness. 00:24:19.899 --> 00:24:21.619 The spiritual blessings 00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:22.500 that we have in him, 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.979 the home in heaven 00:24:23.979 --> 00:24:25.459 that he's laid up for us. 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:27.699 So stay close to him. 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.259 Over the summer, 00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.319 you'll keep reading 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:31.059 and praying, 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.659 obeying, 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.500 walking with him, 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.779 depending on him. 00:24:35.639 --> 00:24:37.099 That's the true sunshine 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:38.719 to bathe in 00:24:38.719 --> 00:24:39.819 this summer 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:41.079 and every day 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.219 of our lives. 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:44.739 There's so much 00:24:44.739 --> 00:24:45.339 to know 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.519 about our 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:48.079 infinitely glorious 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.799 saviour, 00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:49.179 Jesus. 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:51.340 And also, 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:51.920 as Christians, 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:53.019 we all have 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:54.960 a once I was blind 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.980 and now I can see 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.860 story. 00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.100 And so we have 00:24:59.100 --> 00:24:59.660 the opportunity 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:01.220 to share that 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.900 with others. 00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:05.320 For me, 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.600 I can recognise 00:25:06.600 --> 00:25:08.180 thinking about my own life 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:08.580 very much 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:10.400 that the Pharisee 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.299 attitude 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.500 of thinking 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.380 that so long 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:14.060 as 00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:15.680 I was trying 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.299 to keep 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.880 a set of 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:19.040 moral rules 00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:20.440 and trying 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.340 really hard 00:25:21.340 --> 00:25:22.200 to earn 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:23.000 God's approval, 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:24.160 then 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:25.660 I'd be okay. 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.340 But it wasn't 00:25:28.340 --> 00:25:28.920 until 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:31.740 the light 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:33.140 dawned 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.040 in my heart 00:25:34.040 --> 00:25:36.100 to expose 00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:37.620 the darkness 00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:38.540 of my sin 00:25:38.540 --> 00:25:39.660 and my unbelief, 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.800 the folly 00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:42.300 of thinking 00:25:42.300 --> 00:25:43.160 that by myself 00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:43.800 I could be good 00:25:43.800 --> 00:25:44.660 enough for God, 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:46.300 the reality 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:46.960 of eternal 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.680 judgment 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:49.299 for not having 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:49.919 true faith 00:25:49.919 --> 00:25:50.319 in Jesus. 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:50.680 It was 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:52.359 that exposing 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:54.599 of the gospel 00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:55.279 that also caused 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.700 me to see 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.339 the wonderful 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:57.659 light of the cross. 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.139 That out of sheer 00:25:59.139 --> 00:26:00.220 love and grace 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.240 God sent 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.259 God sent 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.740 his son 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.259 to live 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:02.600 for me, 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.140 to die 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.440 for me 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.120 and to rise 00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:04.559 for me, 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.600 to save 00:26:06.600 --> 00:26:07.279 me from my sin, 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:07.720 to save me 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.420 from my cell. 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.259 Now all of us 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.100 have a story 00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:11.579 to share 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.240 and maybe we need 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:12.940 to be creative 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:13.420 in thinking 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.339 how can I share 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.279 something of my story, 00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:15.900 of my faith 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:17.620 online 00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:18.920 or face-to-face 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.860 as we see people 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:21.960 over this holiday period. 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:24.360 Let me just finish here. 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.519 If you find yourself 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.279 today, 00:26:26.600 --> 00:26:27.000 wherever you're 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.480 tuning in, 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:28.700 in a time 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.440 of darkness, 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.759 maybe suffering, 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.080 maybe fearful, 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.600 can I ask you 00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:39.319 to humbly 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.819 come to Jesus 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:43.279 as the light, 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.620 the one who came 00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:46.420 in love, 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.660 the one who came 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.299 to die 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.299 in the darkness 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.240 under the judgment 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.720 of God 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.819 so that you might 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:53.380 have the light 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:53.920 of life. 00:26:54.600 --> 00:26:55.400 Come to him 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.900 with your tears 00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:57.940 and your pain 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:59.200 and your fears. 00:26:59.820 --> 00:27:00.259 Know him 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:01.980 walking ahead of you. 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:02.860 Know him 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:04.299 walking with you 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:05.240 through pain 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.700 and suffering 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.519 and giving you 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.180 hope 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:08.720 that one day 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:10.259 this will be passed, 00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:11.360 that there'll be 00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:12.720 the great reversal, 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.299 everything sad 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.640 coming untrue 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:17.160 with the hope 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:19.059 of resurrection. 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.299 Thanks. 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:19.500 See you.