WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.320 What I find really interesting about the Palm Sunday event, and the text that we're looking 00:00:05.320 --> 00:00:10.120 at this morning, of course, is not specifically about the Palm Sunday event, the triumphal 00:00:10.120 --> 00:00:15.919 entry into the holy city, but it's a parallel passage, a quite complementary passage, in 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:24.240 fact, because we see in both instances just how fickle the vision of the people can be. 00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:31.099 If you recall, as Jesus is entering in his triumphal procession on the donkey, humble 00:00:31.099 --> 00:00:37.640 and lowly, greeted by palm branches and the shouts of Hosanna, there is a great reception, 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:44.539 a great party, in fact, the anticipation that the Messiah, perhaps, is coming, and yet it's 00:00:44.539 --> 00:00:51.859 not very long into the week that Jesus is betrayed and arrested and tortured and executed. 00:00:51.859 --> 00:01:00.060 There appears to be, throughout the pages of the Gospels, in fact, this great dichotomy 00:01:00.060 --> 00:01:06.219 of vision, really sort of a polarizing effect that Jesus has on almost everyone that he 00:01:06.219 --> 00:01:06.659 encounters. 00:01:06.819 --> 00:01:12.439 It's impossible, in fact, to be apathetic or ambivalent about Jesus Christ. 00:01:13.239 --> 00:01:19.299 In John chapter 14, Jesus says something really radical, really provocative. 00:01:19.299 --> 00:01:22.840 He says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:25.959 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:01:27.039 --> 00:01:32.599 Over and over and over again, Jesus, throughout his ministry, is putting himself at the center 00:01:32.599 --> 00:01:39.159 of human existence to say, if you want to abound, if you want to live, if you want to live eternally, 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:42.539 you must orient yourself around me. 00:01:42.540 --> 00:01:48.800 When Jesus calls himself the way, the truth, and the life, we see that he's not simply speaking 00:01:48.800 --> 00:01:51.600 about justification, about salvation. 00:01:51.740 --> 00:01:53.300 He is speaking about that, of course. 00:01:54.000 --> 00:02:01.240 But he's talking about daily life, the grounds of real human living. 00:02:01.239 --> 00:02:10.079 The reason why I, and I suspect you, get distracted from time to time, give in to temptation to sin, 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:15.299 is because we have, in effect, taken our eyes off of Jesus Christ. 00:02:16.060 --> 00:02:22.459 We have forgotten, at least momentarily, we've experienced a kind of gospel amnesia in the 00:02:22.459 --> 00:02:22.780 moment. 00:02:22.939 --> 00:02:28.579 We have forgotten how satisfying and how sufficient and how answering Christ is. 00:02:28.580 --> 00:02:34.040 This is true for every sin and every moment when we choose something other than God to 00:02:34.040 --> 00:02:36.620 satisfy us, that is actually what we're saying. 00:02:36.700 --> 00:02:38.840 We're engaging in a kind of disbelief. 00:02:38.980 --> 00:02:41.900 We are saying in the moment, God, you don't satisfy me. 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:43.040 You don't fulfill me. 00:02:43.260 --> 00:02:44.440 You don't validate me. 00:02:44.740 --> 00:02:45.760 You don't justify me. 00:02:45.920 --> 00:02:49.160 This is what will give me peace and joy and happiness. 00:02:50.480 --> 00:02:56.240 I think of all the things that I look to to satisfy me when I know it really is only Christ 00:02:56.240 --> 00:03:01.120 and his glory that can bring me great and deep and abiding joy. 00:03:02.020 --> 00:03:04.920 This is what the Apostle Paul says in Philippians chapter 3. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:08.480 Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:14.420 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, 00:03:14.540 --> 00:03:14.920 my Lord. 00:03:15.100 --> 00:03:19.379 For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:21.240 I may gain Christ. 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:30.199 And so I think the biggest problem that Christians face is not that we haven't thought of Christ 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:36.060 alone for salvation, but that we only consider Christ alone every now and again. 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:40.060 Many of us live very compartmentalized lives. 00:03:40.060 --> 00:03:47.640 We tend to think of ourselves as existing in these time slots or having multiple roles. 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:53.740 There's our work self and our home self, our family self, our school self, our recreational 00:03:53.740 --> 00:03:56.000 self, and then there's our religious self. 00:03:56.879 --> 00:04:01.420 And we're accustomed to thinking of Jesus when it's time to think of spiritual or religious 00:04:01.420 --> 00:04:01.939 things. 00:04:02.099 --> 00:04:07.840 But the Jesus of the New Testament, the Jesus who is the real Jesus, the Son of God incarnate, 00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:11.379 doesn't abide in his own assigned time slot. 00:04:11.479 --> 00:04:13.479 He is the ruler of all existence. 00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:15.099 He is the sovereign Lord of all. 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:22.759 The real Jesus will not stand for being assigned a compartment in our life. 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:25.959 He is the center of the universe. 00:04:27.340 --> 00:04:31.600 So again, the problem is not that we don't look to Jesus, but that we don't spend enough 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:36.899 time looking at all of him, which is to say, pondering his glory. 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:42.519 And that's what I want to sort of explore with you this afternoon, what I want to help us 00:04:42.519 --> 00:04:48.039 see together this afternoon, really the point of this passage in John chapter 8. 00:04:48.899 --> 00:04:54.500 And the first thing that we should mention as we look at this exchange, this debate, this 00:04:54.500 --> 00:05:00.299 argument, is that it isn't really a personality clash. 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:07.560 You know, sometimes when you hear, you know, some folks explain the difference between the 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:13.220 Pharisees and Jesus or why they continue to have this clash, it's put very superficially 00:05:13.220 --> 00:05:17.420 as if the Pharisees are mean and Jesus is nice. 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:21.580 And this is really the, you know, the reason why they're so angry with Jesus is because he's 00:05:21.580 --> 00:05:25.660 going around telling everyone to be kind to each other and he's teaching peace and this 00:05:25.660 --> 00:05:26.920 really upsets them. 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:33.040 And that really just sort of scratches the surface of the primary disconnect between the 00:05:33.040 --> 00:05:34.900 religious rulers and Jesus. 00:05:35.080 --> 00:05:38.460 You don't execute somebody who's just teaching everyone to be nice to each other. 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:44.680 That might irritate you, but it wouldn't drive you to want to execute them. 00:05:45.520 --> 00:05:49.060 What this is, is not primarily a personality clash. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:51.540 It is a theological conflict. 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:54.399 It is about belief. 00:05:56.579 --> 00:06:03.720 In the ruler's mind, in the religious leader's mind, it's about orthodoxy and heresy, in fact. 00:06:04.819 --> 00:06:08.259 At stake is what is expressed in verse 48. 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:11.699 Is Jesus a demon-possessed Samaritan? 00:06:12.860 --> 00:06:17.560 Now, of course, I know you don't believe that Jesus is a demon-possessed Samaritan. 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:24.459 But if we were to put it in our terms and sort of the language of our day, how this sort of 00:06:24.459 --> 00:06:30.579 debate or misunderstanding or failure to see the glory of Christ really works out, we might put it this way. 00:06:30.579 --> 00:06:31.740 Who is Jesus? 00:06:33.019 --> 00:06:35.000 Is he who he says he is? 00:06:35.579 --> 00:06:37.160 Or is he something else? 00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:46.680 And Jesus himself is saying some incredibly provocative things about himself all over his preaching ministry. 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:56.500 But right here in this theological conflict at which he is the center, he's saying some really provocative, really spectacular, really mind-boggling things. 00:06:57.500 --> 00:06:59.939 In verse 49, he says, I honor my father. 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:05.500 In verse 54, he says, my father glorifies me. 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:11.360 Now, if you're one of the religious leaders at this time, you're thinking, hold on just a second, time out. 00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:15.660 This has the air of blasphemy to it. 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:24.139 Because this man who isn't yet 50 years old is saying basically, the father that you call God glorifies me. 00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:29.060 Why would God the father glorify this man? 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:38.560 Who is this man to claim such kinship, such intimacy, such parity, equality with God the father? 00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:48.000 So we have to set aside, if we're to take Jesus at his own words, we have to set aside the option that he's simply a good teacher 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:49.839 that went around telling everyone to be nice to each other. 00:07:49.839 --> 00:07:59.099 He is, as C.S. Lewis famously put it in his apologetic, he is either a lying scoundrel, right? 00:07:59.179 --> 00:08:01.500 A demonized Samaritan, perhaps. 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:06.779 Or he's crazy, a lunatic. 00:08:08.179 --> 00:08:13.779 Or, or, quite possibly, verse 55, he knows the father. 00:08:14.779 --> 00:08:18.459 Like, actually knows the father and keeps his word. 00:08:19.839 --> 00:08:25.419 And what makes the difference, what makes the difference between seeing Jesus as he truly is, 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:31.639 as the redeeming God-man, and not seeing him as he truly is, 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:34.639 is contingent upon seeing his glory. 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:43.899 My working thesis here, the reason why I draw that particular filter over our understanding of the text, 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:48.399 comes primarily from 2 Corinthians chapter 3, where in verse 18, Paul says, 00:08:48.659 --> 00:08:54.279 it's by beholding the glory of Christ that we are transformed from one degree of glory to another. 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:57.779 So there's something, there's something supernatural, something spiritual, 00:08:58.059 --> 00:09:04.159 about seeing the glory of Jesus that makes the difference between seeing Jesus as just a man, 00:09:04.199 --> 00:09:07.019 or just a good teacher, or as a liar, or as a lunatic, 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:13.259 and seeing Jesus for who he truly is, for who he revealed himself truly to be. 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:16.539 And this really is a spiritual thing. 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:20.220 Some people look at Jesus all the time, and they don't see anything impressive. 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:28.980 They see the liar Jesus, or the lunatic Jesus, or the just a good teacher Jesus. 00:09:29.160 --> 00:09:34.160 But others, others see a glimpse of his glory. 00:09:35.420 --> 00:09:39.300 They taste and see, in the revelation of Jesus Christ, 00:09:39.540 --> 00:09:47.300 something delicious, spiritually transformative, forever changed. 00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:52.919 So if we look carefully at this text, we can see some of this glory here in this exchange. 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:58.199 Jesus is showing it to us, even as he's withholding it from his Jewish accusers. 00:09:59.159 --> 00:10:00.059 And what do we see? 00:10:00.339 --> 00:10:03.679 How wondrous is the glory of the God-man Jesus? 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:07.199 What is it that Christ's glory alone does? 00:10:07.500 --> 00:10:12.779 Well, first of all, Christ alone has glory that reaches into the eternal past. 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:16.879 He has glory alone that reaches into the eternal past. 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:20.080 As the author of Hebrews says in Hebrews chapter 1, verse 1, 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:23.559 once upon a time, God spoke in a lot of ways through the prophets, 00:10:23.939 --> 00:10:28.179 but now, finally, all of these messages, all of these prophecies, 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:33.639 culminate in the final message, the incarnate word, Jesus Christ. 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:38.259 And the entire collection of books that we call the Old Testament 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:44.200 unfold the plan of redemption that sets the stage for the incarnation of the Son of God 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:46.180 who has come to save sinners from death. 00:10:46.179 --> 00:10:51.979 Every person, every prophecy, every prescribed ritual, 00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:56.539 all of it is pointing to the fulfillment of itself in Christ Jesus. 00:10:58.059 --> 00:11:00.439 If you remember, right after his resurrection, 00:11:00.659 --> 00:11:04.459 Jesus kind of sidles up along the disciples on the road to Emmaus. 00:11:04.819 --> 00:11:06.239 And at first, they don't recognize him. 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:07.339 They're not quite sure who he is. 00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:10.080 But he begins to teach and preach to them. 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:10.460 And it says, 00:11:10.780 --> 00:11:15.019 He revealed everything about himself from the law and the prophets to them. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:19.280 Essentially, Jesus is preaching to them a Christ-centered, 00:11:19.660 --> 00:11:21.920 expository sermon from the Old Testament. 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:24.660 Or if you prefer, because it's Jesus preaching it, 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:28.220 a expository, self-centered sermon from the Old Testament. 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:30.940 He's telling them about himself. 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:35.280 This is where I was in Genesis and in Exodus and Leviticus and Deuteronomy. 00:11:36.300 --> 00:11:38.740 And their response, if you remember, 00:11:38.880 --> 00:11:41.280 the disciples who are hearing this sermon, 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:47.040 Jesus showing himself, his glory from the pages of the Old Covenant Scriptures, 00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:49.820 their response is not simply to say, 00:11:49.900 --> 00:11:50.920 Oh, that's really interesting. 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:55.000 You've really unlocked some things that help us mentally. 00:11:55.980 --> 00:11:56.940 No, they say, 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:59.800 Our hearts burned within us. 00:12:00.940 --> 00:12:02.060 What does that mean? 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:04.440 Well, it's the response of worship. 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:08.520 They have not just heard intellectually the glory of Christ, 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:11.360 but they have seen spiritually the glory of Christ, 00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:13.120 and they have been transformed. 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:17.080 They've had their affections stirred for this Jesus. 00:12:17.280 --> 00:12:20.380 This is how Jesus puts it here in verse 56. 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:24.300 Your father Abraham, Old Covenant, 00:12:24.880 --> 00:12:28.100 your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:30.100 He saw it and was glad. 00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:36.040 This is very similar to another moment in Jesus' ministry, 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:38.200 in the early days of his ministry, in fact, 00:12:38.640 --> 00:12:41.400 when he's in the synagogue in Luke chapter 4, if you remember, 00:12:41.560 --> 00:12:44.920 and he's reading from the scroll of Isaiah, 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:47.100 reading the prophecy, 00:12:47.280 --> 00:12:49.360 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. 00:12:49.520 --> 00:12:50.420 He reads this, 00:12:50.580 --> 00:12:53.720 and then he essentially says to the gathered congregation, 00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:55.800 All of that is about me. 00:12:55.799 --> 00:13:03.459 And the audience reacts very similarly to how this audience reacts in John chapter 8. 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:09.599 The reality is that Jesus Christ is not some divine improvisation. 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:15.240 It's not as if God thought that we could work out salvation by our own merit, 00:13:15.359 --> 00:13:18.399 just pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps, 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:22.259 that we could eke out some sort of spiritual achievement, 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:25.539 and then embarrassed by our failure to measure up, 00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:28.000 and surprised by our inability, 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:28.779 thought, 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:31.879 Oh, I guess I should go ahead and send my son down there to sort things out. 00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:35.220 No, the covenant of grace, 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:39.939 begun and finished by Jesus Christ, 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:41.980 was part of his plan all along. 00:13:43.300 --> 00:13:45.220 In fact, everywhere Jesus goes, 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:46.400 he's telling people this. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:47.840 He's not plan B. 00:13:48.380 --> 00:13:49.840 He is God's plan A. 00:13:50.900 --> 00:13:51.420 He says, 00:13:51.520 --> 00:13:54.100 You don't believe me because you don't believe the scriptures. 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:56.840 Here are a few examples. 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:58.680 In Matthew 21, verse 42, 00:13:59.080 --> 00:13:59.820 Jesus said to them, 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:01.380 Have you never read in the scriptures 00:14:01.380 --> 00:14:03.380 the stone that the builders rejected 00:14:03.380 --> 00:14:04.820 has become the cornerstone? 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:07.020 This was the Lord's doing, 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:09.260 and it is marvelous in our eyes. 00:14:09.940 --> 00:14:11.700 Matthew 22, 29, 00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:12.900 Jesus answered them, 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.840 You are wrong, 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:15.480 because you know neither the scriptures 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:16.820 nor the power of God. 00:14:17.900 --> 00:14:20.140 Matthew 26, verse 56, 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:22.080 All of this has taken place 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:24.900 that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:27.740 Mark 14, 49, 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:30.460 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, 00:14:30.760 --> 00:14:31.860 and you didn't seize me, 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:33.560 but let the scriptures be fulfilled. 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:36.580 Or Luke 24, 27, 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:38.760 Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:41.039 he interpreted to them in all the scriptures 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:42.620 the things concerning himself. 00:14:43.700 --> 00:14:44.960 Luke 24, 45, 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:48.259 He opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:50.659 John 5, 39, 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:51.840 You search the scriptures 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:54.519 because you think that in them you have eternal life, 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:57.899 but it is they that bear witness about me. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:02.840 The truth of the glory of the God-man Jesus Christ 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:05.919 rests on the rich, thick tapestry 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:08.059 of the God-breathed scriptures. 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:11.519 Even Abraham, Jesus says, 00:15:11.579 --> 00:15:13.179 could see it on the horizon. 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:17.379 From the darkness of antiquity, 00:15:17.839 --> 00:15:20.620 Abraham sees the dawning light of Jesus Christ, 00:15:20.819 --> 00:15:22.779 and his heart thrills with hope. 00:15:22.959 --> 00:15:24.599 His heart burned within him. 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:27.599 He saw my day, Jesus said, 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:28.779 and he rejoiced. 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:32.439 But the Bible doesn't just give us a glimpse 00:15:32.439 --> 00:15:34.179 into the beginning of time 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.579 and the beginning of the covenant. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.919 No, in fact, the glory of Jesus, 00:15:38.079 --> 00:15:40.339 the glory of the saving Son of God, 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:41.919 didn't begin in Genesis 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:44.319 any more than it began in Luke chapter 2 00:15:44.319 --> 00:15:45.500 or John chapter 1. 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:48.819 It's not just into the historical past 00:15:48.819 --> 00:15:50.659 that Christ's glory reaches, 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.639 but into eternity past 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:54.059 that his glory reaches. 00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:56.579 Before time even began, 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:57.919 the plan of the gospel 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:59.279 was in the heart of God. 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:01.199 How do we know this? 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:02.619 Well, we see that the names 00:16:02.619 --> 00:16:04.179 written in the Lamb's book of life, 00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:04.939 for instance, 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:07.939 in Revelation chapter 13, verse 8, 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:09.039 were written, it says, 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.859 before the foundation of the world. 00:16:12.859 --> 00:16:14.039 The truth is this, 00:16:14.079 --> 00:16:14.739 for the Christian, 00:16:15.079 --> 00:16:16.139 Christ's saving glory 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:17.219 was fixed on you 00:16:17.219 --> 00:16:18.759 before there even was a you. 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:24.379 Romans chapter 8, verse 29, 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:25.419 Paul puts it this way, 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:28.039 for those whom he foreknew, 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.580 he also predestined 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.679 to be conformed 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:32.279 to the image of his Son. 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.559 I don't know if you've ever 00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:36.779 thought about that, 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:38.439 but just the reality, 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.600 the biblical reality 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:42.720 that the God who is outside of time, 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.740 who created time, 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:46.439 who rules outside of time, 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:47.879 could look forward 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.720 into the time 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.779 that he will create 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:52.279 and see me, 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:53.620 puny little old me, 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:56.919 weak and deficient 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.939 and flawed, 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.559 riddled with sin, 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:02.340 and say, 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.759 I'm going to put my grace 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:06.299 on that person. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.720 I'm going to make that man 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:10.440 a beloved son of mine. 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:13.500 I can barely get over that. 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.220 God even knows the sins 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.980 I've yet to commit, 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.900 the ones that I don't even know 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:19.420 I'm going to commit. 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:22.180 He sees all of that 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:23.740 and still says, 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:25.140 I dedicate myself to him. 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:28.220 And if you've repented 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.779 of your sin 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.539 and put your faith 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.960 in Jesus Christ, 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.299 he says that about you as well. 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:35.039 But it gets much deeper, 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:35.440 in fact, 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.339 the wondrous glory 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.039 of the God-man 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:38.440 reaches into the past, 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.000 but also, 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:39.559 secondly, 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.960 Christ alone has glory 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:42.720 that reaches 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:44.319 into the eternal present, 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:46.720 into the eternal present. 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:49.539 In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:51.439 in the first few verses 00:17:51.439 --> 00:17:52.980 of that chapter, 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:54.119 Paul is essentially 00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:54.980 just giving kind of 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.659 the outline 00:17:55.659 --> 00:17:57.480 of the gospel message. 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:59.399 He gives the simple 00:17:59.399 --> 00:18:00.079 summation 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:01.779 of the good news. 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:02.859 He says, 00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:04.720 Jesus Christ died 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.139 in accordance 00:18:05.139 --> 00:18:05.799 with the scriptures. 00:18:06.159 --> 00:18:07.059 He rose again 00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:07.539 in accordance 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.240 with the scriptures. 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:10.279 He mentions Christ's ascension 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.259 and the witnesses 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.319 to that event. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.639 And he says 00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:14.559 that this message 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.980 is the most important thing 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.519 that you could know. 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.240 This message 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.920 is of first importance. 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:19.799 But then he says 00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:20.920 something really radical. 00:18:21.379 --> 00:18:21.799 And in fact, 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.700 if you're reading too quickly, 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.339 you would just sort of 00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:24.680 gloss right over it. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.680 This news, 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.200 he said, 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:29.299 about the gospel, 00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:30.619 this news about Jesus Christ, 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.379 what he has done 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.399 in history, 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:33.420 he says, 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.619 you received it, 00:18:35.139 --> 00:18:35.359 right? 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:35.920 So, 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.119 in some way, 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.379 shape, 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.019 or form, 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:39.819 you assented, 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.539 you believed 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.200 in the gospel, 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.500 you had a conversion 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.679 experience of some kind, 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.599 that might look different 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.799 depending on your context 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:48.619 or the circumstances. 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.619 Perhaps you prayed 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.720 a prayer with someone, 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.619 someone led you 00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:52.679 through a gospel tract, 00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:53.599 you responded 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.399 to an invitation 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:55.259 at a church service 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.359 or something like that, 00:18:56.439 --> 00:18:57.539 but you received it, 00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:57.700 right? 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.259 So we kind of 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.240 all understand that. 00:19:00.179 --> 00:19:00.919 But then he says, 00:19:00.919 --> 00:19:01.619 you didn't just 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:03.179 receive it past tense, 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:04.000 but you're also 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.079 standing in it 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.339 present tense. 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:08.460 Isn't that interesting? 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:11.120 The glory of Jesus Christ 00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:12.299 didn't just capture 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:12.980 your soul 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.740 at some point 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:15.100 in your personal history, 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:17.240 it is at this very moment 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.440 sustaining you. 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.579 Paul puts it in Galatians 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.039 like this, 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:23.640 having begun by the Spirit, 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.360 do you continue 00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:25.160 in the flesh? 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.480 And the answer is no. 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.920 Having begun by the Spirit, 00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:28.900 you continue, 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.000 you stand 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.180 in the Spirit. 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.840 Jesus Christ is 00:19:33.840 --> 00:19:34.799 millisecond 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:35.640 by millisecond 00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:37.060 upholding your salvation 00:19:37.060 --> 00:19:37.960 by the word 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.640 of his power. 00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:41.000 Here is the 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.040 spectacular, 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:43.640 mind-blowing thing 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.400 that Jesus says 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.320 to his accusers 00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:46.780 in verse 58. 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:47.740 Jesus said to them, 00:19:48.060 --> 00:19:48.640 truly, truly, 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.660 I say to you, 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:51.020 before Abraham was, 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:51.800 I am. 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:54.660 Now, 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.220 the first thing 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:55.820 that we notice 00:19:55.820 --> 00:19:57.620 about this verse 00:19:57.620 --> 00:19:58.180 is this. 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.720 Jesus is 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.920 very clearly 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:02.259 appropriating 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.960 or assigning 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:03.800 to himself 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:05.319 the divine name, 00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:06.159 Yahweh, 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:06.879 I am. 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:09.919 And unless we think 00:20:09.919 --> 00:20:10.799 that's somewhat 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:12.200 of an interpretive 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:13.159 improvisation 00:20:13.159 --> 00:20:13.480 that we're just 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.240 kind of making that up, 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.359 notice how the crowd 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:16.099 reacts to him 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:17.159 making this statement. 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.359 They know 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:20.039 he's assigning 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.859 the divine name 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.539 to himself, 00:20:22.119 --> 00:20:23.919 which is why 00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:24.720 they pick up rocks 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.319 to murder him, 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:25.940 because they think 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.000 he's committing blasphemy. 00:20:27.399 --> 00:20:28.119 He's claiming 00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:29.639 to be God. 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.339 This is one 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:32.899 of Christ's 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:33.620 more astounding 00:20:33.620 --> 00:20:35.280 I am statements, 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.480 if only because 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.640 it's somewhat 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.640 of a standalone. 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.740 There's no 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:42.060 addition to it, 00:20:42.080 --> 00:20:42.240 right? 00:20:42.300 --> 00:20:43.040 So in other places 00:20:43.040 --> 00:20:44.019 he says things like, 00:20:44.340 --> 00:20:45.640 I am the door, 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:47.500 or I am the vine, 00:20:47.580 --> 00:20:48.860 or I am the way. 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.840 Here he's simply saying, 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.400 I am. 00:20:54.320 --> 00:20:55.280 It's very similar 00:20:55.280 --> 00:20:55.860 to the moment 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:57.019 in Mark chapter 6, 00:20:57.060 --> 00:20:57.700 if you recall, 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:58.900 where the disciples 00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.440 are on that 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.500 storm-tossed boat, 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.420 and Jesus comes 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.940 walking on the water. 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:04.779 And he says to them, 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.380 don't be afraid, 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.759 it is I. 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:10.140 And the Greek 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:10.839 phrase there 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.660 that's translated 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.500 it is I 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.640 is the equivalent 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:14.700 of the Hebrew 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.720 I am. 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.240 So it's not simply 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:18.859 that the disciples 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.640 are scared in the boat 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:20.400 and Jesus walks up 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:20.599 and says, 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.180 don't be nervous guys, 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.160 it's just me. 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.920 Essentially what he's saying 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.099 is, 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:27.220 don't be afraid, 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.380 I'm God, 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.860 I control all of this. 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:32.920 Jesus says, 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.120 before Abraham existed 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:35.200 in the past, 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:37.100 I am right now. 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.840 I don't know about you, 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:41.340 but this hurts my brain. 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:44.700 Before Abraham was in the past, 00:21:45.040 --> 00:21:46.120 I presently am. 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:47.960 It's messing with our sense 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:49.660 of the space-time universe. 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.760 Just let it settle in 00:21:52.760 --> 00:21:53.260 for a second. 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.020 Jesus Christ, 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:55.680 not yet 50 years old here, 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.520 is claiming 00:21:56.520 --> 00:21:58.140 to be outside of time. 00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:00.400 To be eternal, 00:22:00.560 --> 00:22:02.040 to be eternally now. 00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:02.600 He doesn't need 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.860 a DeLorean or a TARDIS 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.720 or a Narnian wardrobe 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.300 to do it. 00:22:06.820 --> 00:22:08.000 This is what I find 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:11.260 so wonderfully confounding 00:22:11.260 --> 00:22:12.340 about the incarnation. 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.580 The Son of God 00:22:14.580 --> 00:22:16.580 becomes fully man, 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:16.800 right? 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:18.840 That's the true Christian, 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:20.100 the orthodox view 00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:21.060 of the incarnation, 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:22.300 that Jesus Christ 00:22:22.300 --> 00:22:23.340 is fully God 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:24.440 and fully man 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.160 simultaneously. 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:27.300 He's not sometimes God 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.319 and sometimes man. 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:29.519 He's not a man 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:32.579 who just is somewhat anointed, 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:34.299 has the air of divinity 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:34.940 about him. 00:22:35.419 --> 00:22:36.299 He's not God 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.639 who gives the appearance 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.379 or the illusion 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:39.180 of being a man. 00:22:39.399 --> 00:22:40.859 He is 100% God, 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:42.079 100% man. 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.359 And if this is true, 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.059 if this is true, 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:46.039 it makes sense 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.159 of the entire testimony 00:22:47.159 --> 00:22:47.779 of the Scriptures. 00:22:48.159 --> 00:22:49.599 Paul in Colossians 2, 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.259 verse 9, 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.259 for in him 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.579 the whole fullness 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:53.700 of deity 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.900 dwells bodily. 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:57.379 Hebrews chapter 13, 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:57.900 verse 8, 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:58.839 Jesus Christ 00:22:58.839 --> 00:23:00.160 is the same yesterday 00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:00.960 and today 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.859 and forever. 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:05.059 Or John chapter 8, 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:06.099 verse 58, 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.779 before Abraham was, 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.059 I am. 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:12.359 Here's just one implication 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.460 of this. 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.599 I don't know if you ever 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:16.259 have thought about this. 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:18.140 I know we're entering 00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:20.160 the Easter season, 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:20.920 Easter week, 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.339 but look forward 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:24.099 to the Christmas season 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:26.940 and picture little baby Jesus, 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:27.680 right? 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.319 Cute, adorable, 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.160 little baby Jesus. 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:31.160 Put him in the manger 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:32.440 with the swaddling clothes. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:36.220 If Jesus is fully God, 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.299 then the baby Jesus 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.960 who was wrapped 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:40.160 in swaddling clothes, 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.180 lying in a manger, 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:43.119 was also omnipresent 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:44.279 Lord of the universe. 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:47.619 Because omnipresence, 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:49.599 the ability to be everywhere, 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.200 to be everywhere, 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:50.980 to see everything, 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:52.539 is one of God's 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.759 impassable attributes. 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:54.000 Meaning, 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.940 it's one of the 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:56.160 qualities of God 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:56.619 or the 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:59.839 characteristics of God 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:01.960 that cannot change. 00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:04.519 So God cannot 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:06.079 not be omnipresent. 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:08.279 So for Jesus Christ 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:09.440 to be fully God, 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.779 really fully God, 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.180 must mean 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:13.920 that he was omnipresent. 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:17.500 You might say, 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:17.759 well, 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:18.359 I mean, 00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:19.000 didn't Jesus 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.259 disregard his deity 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.819 as something 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:22.119 to be grasped? 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:22.960 That's what Paul says 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:24.460 in Philippians chapter 2, 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.480 verses 5 through 8. 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.379 But I think 00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:28.379 what Paul is getting at 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:29.099 is not that Jesus 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:30.180 didn't hold 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:31.099 or maintain 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:31.779 the fullness 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.639 of his divinity, 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.740 but that he did not 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.559 exploit it 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.460 or leverage it. 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:37.859 In other words, 00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:38.740 at any point, 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.539 the temptation 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.200 for Jesus 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.819 could have been, 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.920 I don't want to experience 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.819 this kind of suffering, 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.740 I don't want to experience 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.519 this kind of hurt, 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.379 I don't want to experience 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.559 this part of humanity, 00:24:46.939 --> 00:24:47.839 therefore I'm going to 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:48.980 slip into God mode 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:50.179 and exploit my deity 00:24:50.179 --> 00:24:51.019 so that I don't have 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.879 to experience that. 00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:53.019 And what Paul is saying 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:54.339 is he was fully God, 00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:55.480 he was never not God, 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:57.179 but he didn't leverage 00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:57.899 his divinity 00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:59.679 against the experience 00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:01.079 of humanity. 00:25:01.919 --> 00:25:02.519 He didn't pull 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.559 the divine parachute, 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.419 in other words. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.259 So what we see 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:07.899 in the wonder 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:08.819 of the God-man, 00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:09.759 in the wonder 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.980 of the incarnation 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:12.539 is in essence 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.779 not a reduction 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:15.240 of the Trinity 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:15.960 or reduction 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.019 of the divinity 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:18.379 of the Son of God, 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.339 but an extension. 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:21.000 It's as if the Son of God 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:22.700 bent over from heaven 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.980 and stooped low 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:26.000 to become one of us, 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:28.220 to embrace us. 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:31.700 If we're going to deny 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:33.220 that Jesus was simultaneously 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.879 incarnate and omnipresent, 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.359 in fact, 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.559 we have to adopt 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.799 a lesser incarnation 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.759 on one side 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.940 or a lesser deity 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.980 on the other. 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.799 Here is something 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:45.619 extremely marvelous. 00:25:46.919 --> 00:25:48.240 In Calvin's estimation, 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:49.720 John Calvin, 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.099 he says, 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.339 God's incarnation 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:51.879 in Christ 00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:53.019 was not an exit 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.799 from heaven 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:55.039 so much as a descent, 00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:56.119 a stooping, 00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:57.319 in other words. 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.740 So the incarnation 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.539 was a humbling 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.399 of God's Son, 00:26:01.659 --> 00:26:02.599 but not a lessening 00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:02.960 of Him. 00:26:04.399 --> 00:26:05.039 The God-man 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.899 was simultaneously 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:06.779 incarnate 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.839 and omnipresent, 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.160 there in time 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.799 and space 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.539 as the Son 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.240 of a carpenter, 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.480 but also upholding 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:12.960 the universe 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:14.359 as the Son of God 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:15.740 before Abraham was, 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.559 I am. 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.460 And this is why 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.200 this is good news, 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:20.680 by the way, 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:22.079 because it may just say 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:22.639 this is just like 00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:23.579 a theological head trip. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.160 What difference 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:24.740 does this make? 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:25.960 Why should we even 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.619 think about this? 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:28.059 It's really complex. 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.039 It's in the afternoon, 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:30.940 you're tired, 00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:31.599 it's hot. 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.440 Why even think about this? 00:26:34.639 --> 00:26:35.160 Well, here's why 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.680 it's important, 00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:36.900 or at least why 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:37.759 I think this is important. 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:41.400 Because it's not just 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.840 the sinful past 00:26:42.840 --> 00:26:43.620 that you've been 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.440 forgiven of, 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:45.960 and it's not just 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.960 the future paradise 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:48.500 that you look forward to, 00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:50.640 it is the very present 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.380 moment 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:52.440 that believers 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.140 in Jesus 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:54.460 are spiritually 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.220 united 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.440 to the Son of God. 00:26:58.920 --> 00:27:00.620 That Christ's glory 00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:01.540 reaches into 00:27:01.540 --> 00:27:02.720 the eternal now 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.700 means that we 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.360 who are united 00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:04.940 to Him 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.400 are never in danger 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:07.279 of being separated 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:07.700 from Him. 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:11.299 We get to enjoy 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.539 blessed union 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.620 with Christ. 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:17.480 Ephesians chapter 2, 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.000 verse 6, 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:18.500 Paul writes, 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.799 He has raised us 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.420 up with Him 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.400 and seated us 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:21.840 with Him 00:27:21.840 --> 00:27:23.160 in the heavenly places. 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:24.160 We are inextricable 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:26.299 from Christ. 00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:29.660 In Colossians chapter 3, 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.620 Paul puts it this way, 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:31.620 we are hidden 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.599 with Christ 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:33.439 in God. 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.639 Or in John chapter 11, 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.599 just three chapters 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:40.099 after our focus text here, 00:27:41.739 --> 00:27:42.319 Jesus says, 00:27:42.439 --> 00:27:43.279 I am the resurrection 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.519 and the life. 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:46.059 Whoever believes in me, 00:27:46.239 --> 00:27:47.119 though he die, 00:27:47.459 --> 00:27:48.719 yet shall he live. 00:27:51.959 --> 00:27:52.979 Where does he get off 00:27:52.979 --> 00:27:53.699 saying this? 00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:56.599 If you don't see Jesus 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:57.759 for who He truly is, 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.719 hearing things like this 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.839 would make you angry. 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.660 This is why the rulers 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:05.059 are constantly upset 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.420 with Him 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.400 and aggravated with Him. 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.600 This is why they're driven 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:09.000 by envy to murder Him. 00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:12.759 And yet for those of us 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.759 who have seen 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.759 the glory of Christ 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:16.039 in a saving way, 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:18.500 even if in a small way, 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.940 but a saving way, 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:23.799 this means that 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:25.940 having been united 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.759 to Christ, 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:29.500 who is eternally God, 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.740 you are as secure 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:33.160 as Christ is. 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.940 Now how secure 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.920 do you think Christ is? 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.339 The wondrous glory 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.279 of the omnipotent, 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:41.960 omniscient, 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.420 omnipresent God-man 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.460 reaches us, 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.559 sustains us 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.799 in the eternal present. 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.660 But thirdly, 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.259 and finally, 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.740 Christ's glory, 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.460 I'm sorry, 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.299 Christ alone 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.220 has glory 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.019 that reaches 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:54.319 into the eternal future. 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.939 Christ alone 00:28:55.939 --> 00:28:56.559 has glory 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.299 that reaches 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:59.059 into the eternal future. 00:28:59.159 --> 00:29:00.099 This is where Paul goes, 00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:00.500 by the way, 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:01.759 in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.899 in those early verses, 00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:03.619 when he says, 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.399 you received, 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.079 past tense, 00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:05.899 the word, 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.519 the gospel, 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.599 you stand, 00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:08.500 present tense, 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:09.119 in the word, 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:09.679 the gospel, 00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:10.939 and then he also says 00:29:10.939 --> 00:29:11.960 something that's even 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.659 more spectacular. 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:13.000 He says, 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:14.279 you are being saved 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:15.299 by this word 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:16.159 of the gospel. 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.059 This is how Jesus 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.659 puts it here 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:19.740 in verse 51. 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:20.759 Truly, truly, 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.500 I say to you, 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.659 if anyone keeps 00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:23.319 my word, 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.319 he will never 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.879 see death. 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.439 This is like 00:29:29.439 --> 00:29:29.899 the moment 00:29:29.899 --> 00:29:31.159 when Jesus 00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:33.839 looks into 00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:35.039 the tear-stained face 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.939 of Martha, 00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:37.000 weeping over 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.819 the loss of her 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:39.299 brother Lazarus. 00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:40.579 And Jesus himself 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.099 is weeping, 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:43.500 the text tells us. 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.139 And I imagine 00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:45.700 he's just sort of 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.879 gently put his hands 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.619 on her shoulders 00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:48.839 and he's looking 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.980 into her face 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.220 with abundant, 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.879 eternal compassion, 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:56.720 and he comforts 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.159 her in a way 00:29:57.159 --> 00:29:58.319 that no other man 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:59.439 could ever comfort her. 00:30:00.659 --> 00:30:01.079 He says, 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:02.119 I am the resurrection 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:03.279 and the life. 00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.359 Whoever believes 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:05.899 in me, 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:07.039 though he die, 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:08.139 yet shall he live. 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.379 And everyone 00:30:10.379 --> 00:30:11.179 who lives 00:30:11.179 --> 00:30:12.559 and believes in me 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:14.439 shall never die. 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:16.799 and then as if 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:17.900 to drive the point 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:18.340 home, 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:20.500 to make it personal, 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.420 he looks her 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.120 straight in the eye 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:23.480 and says, 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:25.340 do you believe this? 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.640 This is the question 00:30:28.640 --> 00:30:29.820 before you this afternoon. 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:30.580 This is the question 00:30:30.580 --> 00:30:31.680 before all of us. 00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:32.519 This is the question 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.740 before us every morning 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.700 when we get out of bed. 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.720 Are we going to live 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:37.440 our life as if 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:38.180 Jesus Christ 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:39.720 is the God-man, 00:30:39.820 --> 00:30:40.860 as if he really is 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:41.440 the resurrection 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:42.519 and the life, 00:30:42.580 --> 00:30:43.180 as if to be 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:44.200 united to him 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:44.820 means that 00:30:44.820 --> 00:30:45.799 even if we die, 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.759 we will live? 00:30:47.840 --> 00:30:48.420 And in fact, 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.240 to believe in him 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:49.740 means that we'll 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.420 never die? 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:54.519 We must be out of our minds 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.700 to think something like that. 00:30:57.320 --> 00:30:58.320 Or perhaps, 00:30:58.840 --> 00:31:01.200 perhaps we've seen 00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:02.039 something different 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.700 that other people 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.220 haven't seen. 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:06.200 maybe our eyes 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:06.860 have been opened 00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:07.480 in a way that 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.140 other people's eyes 00:31:08.140 --> 00:31:08.799 haven't been opened. 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:10.019 Maybe we've seen 00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:12.120 the glory of Jesus Christ. 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.420 And we know 00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:15.860 he's not an ordinary man. 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.259 And we know 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:18.480 he's not just a good teacher. 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:19.940 And we know 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:20.620 he's not a liar. 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.039 And we know 00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:22.940 he's not a demon-possessed 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:23.460 Samaritan. 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.900 We know he is 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:26.940 who he says he is, 00:31:27.360 --> 00:31:28.380 the Son of God. 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:31.120 For God so loved 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:31.640 the world 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.540 that he gave 00:31:32.540 --> 00:31:33.440 his only Son 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:34.640 that whoever believes 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:35.060 in him 00:31:35.060 --> 00:31:37.080 will not perish 00:31:37.080 --> 00:31:39.360 but have everlasting life. 00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:41.800 And the only alternative, 00:31:42.060 --> 00:31:42.380 of course, 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.880 is everlasting death, 00:31:44.620 --> 00:31:46.140 which is no alternative 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:46.600 at all. 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.520 To take or leave Jesus, 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:50.840 to be ambivalent 00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:51.759 about Jesus 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.620 is to be against him. 00:31:52.660 --> 00:31:53.680 He says this himself. 00:31:55.160 --> 00:31:56.320 If you are not for me, 00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:57.259 you are against me. 00:31:58.980 --> 00:32:01.180 And these people, 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:01.680 these leaders, 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.380 they're against him. 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.120 Verse 59, 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:04.759 they picked up stones 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.799 to throw at him. 00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:08.120 They wanted to kill him. 00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:08.840 They tried to kill him. 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:11.400 But Jesus hid himself 00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:12.360 and went out 00:32:12.360 --> 00:32:12.920 of the temple. 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.680 Now there's something 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.580 fascinating here 00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:16.340 about verse 59. 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:16.920 And I don't know 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:18.560 if you see 00:32:18.560 --> 00:32:19.320 what I see. 00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:20.120 And it's something 00:32:20.120 --> 00:32:20.799 that I have missed 00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:22.140 for a very long time. 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:25.700 If you're reading quickly, 00:32:25.860 --> 00:32:26.039 again, 00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:27.100 it's maybe something 00:32:27.100 --> 00:32:27.720 that you could just 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.500 gloss over. 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.700 He's revealed the truth 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:30.359 about himself 00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:31.759 and they reject him. 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:33.019 They want to kill him. 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:34.700 But Jesus hid himself 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.680 and went out of the temple. 00:32:35.859 --> 00:32:36.480 What does it mean 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:37.240 he hid himself? 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:40.339 What do you think 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:40.700 he did, 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.460 like literally, 00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:42.140 physically did 00:32:42.140 --> 00:32:42.640 in that moment? 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.319 How did he, 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.480 like was there a pillar there 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:45.960 and he like jumped 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.819 behind it to hide? 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:49.380 Did he pull 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:50.220 the kind of classic, 00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:51.079 look over there guys. 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:51.619 And when they turn 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:52.019 their backs, 00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:52.259 you know, 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:52.920 they're distracted, 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.619 he kind of ran away. 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:56.960 What does it mean 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:57.599 he hid himself? 00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:58.119 What does it mean? 00:32:59.359 --> 00:32:59.960 Well, I mean, 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:01.000 this is just speculation. 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:02.220 This is just imagination. 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.660 It doesn't say literally 00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.119 what's there. 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:05.180 So we just have to kind of 00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:06.000 go by implication. 00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.680 But it's within the realm 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.599 of possibility 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:11.380 if he is who he says he is. 00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:13.519 It could be 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:16.039 a miraculous obscuring. 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.799 In some way, 00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:19.599 supernaturally, 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.160 spiritually, 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.319 he hid himself. 00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:22.539 They couldn't see him. 00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:25.539 Earlier, 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:27.180 I referenced the incident 00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:28.200 in Luke chapter 4 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.799 where Jesus is preaching 00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:31.200 and the crowd 00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:32.240 at first is loving it. 00:33:32.299 --> 00:33:32.400 I mean, 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:32.980 they really like 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:33.640 when Jesus teaches 00:33:33.640 --> 00:33:34.580 because he's really dynamic 00:33:34.580 --> 00:33:35.500 and he's really compelling. 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:37.600 They say he preaches 00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:38.940 as one with authority. 00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:39.960 He has a lot of power. 00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:42.799 But then when he says, 00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:43.980 all of the stuff I just read, 00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:44.740 that's about me, 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:45.860 they turn on him 00:33:45.860 --> 00:33:46.380 in an instant. 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:48.140 And they do what this crowd does. 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:48.920 They try to kill him. 00:33:49.120 --> 00:33:49.880 And if you recall, 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:51.380 they try to push him 00:33:51.380 --> 00:33:51.900 off a cliff. 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:53.059 They like kind of carry him out 00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:54.200 to push him off the edge 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:54.600 of a cliff 00:33:54.600 --> 00:33:55.279 to murder him. 00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:57.460 And in that instance, 00:33:58.000 --> 00:33:58.399 do you remember 00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:59.259 what Jesus does? 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:01.680 He walks right through him. 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.639 How do you think 00:34:03.639 --> 00:34:04.160 he did that? 00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:06.139 I mean, 00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:07.259 like did he fight him off? 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:09.279 It doesn't say he did that. 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.279 How is it possible 00:34:11.279 --> 00:34:12.019 that the crowd 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:13.659 would be around him 00:34:13.659 --> 00:34:14.599 violently trying 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.079 to murder him 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:16.139 and he just passed 00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:17.099 right through them 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.739 as if to say, 00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:19.199 this is not how this happens. 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:20.440 This isn't going 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.139 to happen today. 00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:22.380 And he just peacefully 00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:23.300 with authority 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:24.579 passes right through them. 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.679 Perhaps it was 00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:26.440 a supernatural thing. 00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:27.299 Perhaps this is 00:34:27.299 --> 00:34:28.159 a supernatural thing. 00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:29.599 He's obscuring himself. 00:34:32.199 --> 00:34:34.420 But whatever's happening here, 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:35.239 whether he truly 00:34:35.239 --> 00:34:36.940 hid himself behind something, 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:38.099 if it's like physically 00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:40.440 he's getting away from them, 00:34:41.139 --> 00:34:43.119 or he veiled himself 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:45.400 in some supernatural way, 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:47.440 the point is really heartbreaking. 00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:48.500 Either way you slice it. 00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:50.059 The point is this. 00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:51.299 They can't see him. 00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:54.560 They can't see him. 00:34:56.140 --> 00:34:57.160 Which is the worst thing 00:34:57.160 --> 00:34:58.039 that can happen to you. 00:34:59.720 --> 00:35:00.539 The worst thing 00:35:00.539 --> 00:35:01.300 that can ever happen 00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:01.940 to anybody 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:03.320 is to be closed off 00:35:03.320 --> 00:35:04.400 to the glory of Christ. 00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:06.539 The worst thing 00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:07.640 that can ever happen to you 00:35:07.640 --> 00:35:09.039 is to reject Jesus 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:10.360 and have his glory 00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:11.620 hidden from you. 00:35:13.620 --> 00:35:15.400 The glory of the God-man 00:35:15.400 --> 00:35:16.300 is our only hope. 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:16.860 hope. 00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:22.940 I pray that you have 00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:24.200 the eyes to see. 00:35:28.700 --> 00:35:29.260 Christians, 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:31.260 here's the eternal reality. 00:35:31.260 --> 00:35:36.280 if Jesus is who he says he is, 00:35:37.360 --> 00:35:38.860 and if you have put your faith 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:39.720 in him, 00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:42.300 he has you covered 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:42.900 past, 00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:43.640 present, 00:35:43.780 --> 00:35:44.500 and future. 00:35:46.080 --> 00:35:46.820 And one day, 00:35:46.900 --> 00:35:48.440 when the rapidly coming future 00:35:48.440 --> 00:35:49.900 crashes into the eternal now, 00:35:50.100 --> 00:35:51.540 when the glory of Christ, 00:35:51.660 --> 00:35:53.140 as Habakkuk chapter 2 says, 00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:54.540 covers the earth 00:35:54.540 --> 00:35:57.440 like the waters cover the seas, 00:35:57.440 --> 00:36:00.320 you will stand blameless 00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:01.500 before his presence 00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:02.800 in great joy. 00:36:03.860 --> 00:36:05.159 Not because of you, 00:36:06.480 --> 00:36:08.059 but because of him. 00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:11.740 And you will see, 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:14.740 as if for the first time, 00:36:15.539 --> 00:36:16.820 that you are clothed 00:36:16.820 --> 00:36:18.360 in the glory of Christ. 00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:20.200 Let's pray. 00:36:23.539 --> 00:36:24.240 Heavenly Father, 00:36:24.320 --> 00:36:26.300 we ask for the eyes to see. 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:29.619 for some, 00:36:29.720 --> 00:36:31.840 in a fresh and newer way, 00:36:32.659 --> 00:36:33.740 to have our eyes 00:36:33.740 --> 00:36:35.200 opened a bit wider 00:36:35.200 --> 00:36:37.760 to how wonderful, 00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:40.240 how lovely, 00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:42.360 how saving 00:36:42.360 --> 00:36:43.980 your son Christ Jesus is. 00:36:45.380 --> 00:36:46.159 Father, perhaps, 00:36:46.780 --> 00:36:47.480 for some, 00:36:47.559 --> 00:36:48.659 for the very first time, 00:36:49.220 --> 00:36:51.840 that the scales, 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:52.480 as it were, 00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.400 would fall from 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:54.700 their eyes. 00:36:54.699 --> 00:36:56.739 and they would behold 00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:58.019 the glory of your son 00:36:58.019 --> 00:36:59.219 for the first time. 00:37:02.879 --> 00:37:03.480 Heavenly Father, 00:37:03.559 --> 00:37:05.139 your church believes in you 00:37:05.139 --> 00:37:05.839 and we ask that you would 00:37:05.839 --> 00:37:06.699 help our unbelief. 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.779 Help us to press 00:37:07.779 --> 00:37:08.759 the gospel 00:37:08.759 --> 00:37:09.539 into the corner 00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:10.339 of every room 00:37:10.339 --> 00:37:10.859 of our heart. 00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:16.179 That we would worship you 00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:18.719 more vibrantly, 00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:19.719 more faithfully, 00:37:19.719 --> 00:37:23.119 with our hearts aflame 00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:24.099 with affection 00:37:24.099 --> 00:37:24.839 for your son. 00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:28.759 We ask for the grace 00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:30.859 to see your son 00:37:30.859 --> 00:37:31.419 as he is. 00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:32.119 So we ask for your 00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:32.980 Holy Spirit, Father, 00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:34.039 to be stirring 00:37:34.039 --> 00:37:35.259 our hearts and souls, 00:37:36.419 --> 00:37:37.699 revealing a vision 00:37:37.699 --> 00:37:38.859 of your son, 00:37:39.439 --> 00:37:39.859 crucified, 00:37:40.419 --> 00:37:40.739 risen, 00:37:41.239 --> 00:37:41.659 ascended, 00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:43.779 ruling over heaven 00:37:43.779 --> 00:37:44.179 and earth. 00:37:44.179 --> 00:37:46.460 And we pray all these 00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:47.099 things in the name 00:37:47.099 --> 00:37:47.599 of your son, 00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:48.259 the precious name 00:37:48.259 --> 00:37:48.940 of Christ Jesus. 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:49.699 Amen.