WEBVTT

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 Last year, Michael P. Lynch, who's a professor of philosophy at the University of Connecticut,

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 wrote a very influential book, some say groundbreaking book, called The Internet of Us,

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 Knowing More and Understanding Less in the Age of Big Data.

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 And in it, he argues that with the Internet and Google knowing, which is what he calls,

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 that these things aggravate the tendency that people have to be dogmatic and unreasonable in their beliefs.

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 Because the Internet not only makes true information more accessible, it also proliferates false information and rumors.

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 And because there's so much information and so many sources to choose from,

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 and people typically only limit the number of people that they choose to listen to and trust,

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 it forms these pockets of ignorance, tribes, so to speak, and bubbles where people don't interact with each other.

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 And then combine that with the fact that people generally tend to believe things that fit their pre-existing worldview and beliefs neatly,

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 rather than things that challenge those beliefs and make them reevaluate things,

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 it leads to this polarization, division of ideologies.

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 And of course, this is not a new phenomenon.

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 It may have been worsened by the rise of the Internet.

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 But, you know, dogmatism and, you know, ideological stubbornness is a human problem.

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 It's not a Generation Y or Z problem, right?

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 And we see this already in John 9, where Jesus performs an amazing miracle,

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 healing a man born blind.

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 But the Jews, rather than believing in Jesus and then adjusting their faulty beliefs accordingly to what God has shown through Jesus,

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 they remain in their spiritual blindness.

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 They're not willing to budge and change their system, what they believe was true.

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 And as we look at this passage, it warns us about our own blindness and ignorance of our own hearts.

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 And it teaches us mainly that Jesus is the light of the world who gives sight to those who recognize their blindness.

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 And so first, we'll talk about physical blindness of the man,

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 and then we'll talk about the spiritual blindness of the Jews.

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 And then lastly, we'll conclude by talking about Jesus, the light of the world.

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 So, again, if you'd remember the context of this, we remember from chapter 7,

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 this is still during the Feast of Booths or the Feast of Tabernacles.

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 And it's a feast that was commanded in Leviticus 23, 42 to 43.

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 It says this,

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 You shall dwell in booths for seven days.

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 All native Israelites shall dwell in booths,

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 that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths

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 when I brought them out of the land of Egypt.

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 I am the Lord your God.

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 So the Feast of Booths was meant to commemorate the Exodus.

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 At the time the Israelites came out of Egypt and God liberated them,

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 they dwelled in the wilderness in tents, in booths during that time.

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 And you might recall also, if you know the Exodus story,

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 that during that time in the wilderness,

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 God led them by day with the pillar of cloud

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 and by night with the pillar of fire with light, it says in Exodus 13 to 21.

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 And so combine that image of the pillar of light in the wilderness

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 along with the fact that the Feast of Booths at this time had rituals using light,

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 involving lamps, big lamps set up in the courtyard,

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 and people dancing with torches at night.

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 And also the reading from Zechariah,

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 which said that the God will shine on them,

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 that he will be the light that shines on the day of the Lord.

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 And with this rich theological backdrop,

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 Jesus says,

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 I am the light of the world.

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 And that's what he said in chapter 8, verse 12,

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 and he says it again in this passage.

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 And then Jesus shows the implications of that truth

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 and by dividing the people who belong to the light

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 and people who belong to the blindness.

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 So let's look with me at verse 1.

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 As Jesus is passing by, he sees a man blind from birth.

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 And then Jesus' disciples ask him,

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

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 And Jesus answers,

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 It was not that this man sinned or his parents,

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 but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

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 And we saw earlier in John chapter 5

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 that some sins do cause sickness.

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 The invalid, Jesus implied,

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 had sin in his life,

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 that it caused his judgment.

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 But we see here that this doesn't mean

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 that every sickness is caused by sin.

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 Sometimes people are sick or disabled for no particular sin,

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 but to serve God's greater purpose,

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 to display his glory.

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 And this is an important lesson for us

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 because all of us are going to experience suffering,

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 and we have already experienced suffering.

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 And that's a great opportunity for us to care for one another

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 and love and serve one another.

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 But it's tempting during those times

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 when we're counseling or ministering to those who are suffering

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 to try to minimize that suffering

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 or to explain away the suffering.

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 So we ask questions like,

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 Well, what do you think God's trying to teach us through this?

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 Because when we do that,

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 when we turn to that,

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 we kind of short-circuit compassion

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 because you're not going to really be compassionate

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 towards someone that you think is just needing to learn a lesson.

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 And you're going to say,

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 Well, it's really a matter of solving a riddle,

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 figuring out what the issue is.

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 And when you finally get it,

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 then you're going to stop suffering.

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 That would be the attitude of someone who thinks that way.

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 But this teaches that

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 that's not how we ought to deal with those who are suffering.

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 Rather, it's the very uncertainty of suffering,

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 not knowing what's going on.

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 That's what truly fosters faith and dependence on God.

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 And sometimes that's how many people suffer.

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 And so by remembering that,

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 then we can be more compassionate toward those who are suffering.

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 Unlike these disciples,

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 assuming that it was something that they had done

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 and causing and exacerbating their guilt,

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 which may already be present.

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 And so after this mini lesson on suffering,

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 Jesus continues to expound on his claim

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 that he's the light of the world in verses 4 to 5.

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 Read with me.

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

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 Night is coming when no one can work.

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 As long as I am in the world,

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 I am the light of the world.

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 And we see in the way Jesus says this,

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 his unique role,

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 because the change in the personal pronouns.

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 Because at first he says,

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 we must work the works of him.

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 So all of us,

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 his disciples included,

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 they have work to do together.

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 But he changes that to say,

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 we must work the works of him who sent me.

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 Jesus is the unique sent one.

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 He's the sent one of God.

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 And we participate in his works only by association,

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 by uniting with him,

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 participating in his work.

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 So we're like,

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 Jesus is a sun in his solar system,

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 and we're like satellite moons,

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 really reflecting his light,

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 doing his work.

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 And so Jesus is the light of the world.

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 But what does he mean that,

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 talking about day and night,

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 and the night is coming,

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 we won't be able to do works anymore.

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 And these are metaphors of light and darkness.

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 And the day refers to the time

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 when Jesus is still here on earth,

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 doing his ministry.

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 And that's the time set aside for him

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 to lay the foundation for the church,

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 to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ,

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 that he came to die for sinners,

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 and he rose again for our vindication.

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 And that's the ministry that has to happen

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 while he's on earth,

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 and his disciples partake in that.

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 But the night is coming

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 when after his resurrection,

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 he will be taken away from them.

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 He won't be here anymore.

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 And in that intervening time,

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 until the spirit of God comes

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 as Jesus,

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 when Jesus sends him,

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 that's the night

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 when they cannot do the work.

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 The gospel of ministry

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 does not go forward

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 apart from the spirits,

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 the presence of God with them.

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 And so,

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 and then John will speak more

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 of the Holy Spirit later

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 in chapter 14 and 16.

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 And so having taught his disciples

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 what it means

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 that he is the light of the world,

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 Jesus then proceeds

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 to heal the man blind from birth

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 as kind of an acted parable

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 of what he is teaching.

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 And so read verse 6 and 7 with me.

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 Having said these things,

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 he spit on the ground

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 and made mud with the saliva.

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 Then he anointed the man's eyes

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 with the mud and said to him,

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 Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,

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 which means scent.

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 So he went and washed

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 and came back seeing.

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 The manner in which Jesus

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 performs his miracle,

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 I think, is significant

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 in a couple ways.

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 The first is that Jesus

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 is taking the dust of the ground,

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 the dirt,

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 and he's forming mud

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 and then he's anointing

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 the man's eyes.

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 And that's reminiscent

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 of God's creation

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 in Genesis 2, 7,

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 where dust is taken

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 from the ground

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 and God forms humanity

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 with the dust

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 from the ground.

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 And so there may be

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 a slight allusion to that.

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 God is,

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 Jesus is doing

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 the work of recreation,

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 healing,

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 restoring the work of creation

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 that his father started,

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 the word,

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 and he was involved

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 in creation, of course.

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 And then secondly,

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 I think that it's,

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 and that first point,

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 I think,

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 is made also more plausible

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 by the fact that Jesus

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 had already described himself

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 as the Lord of creation

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 earlier in chapter 5,

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 who works on the Sabbath day

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 even as his father

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 works on the Sabbath day.

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 He doesn't rest

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 because he's a sovereign God

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 who sustains creation.

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 So just as the father

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 works on the seventh Sabbath day

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 to sustain creation,

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 the son works on the Sabbath day

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 to recreate,

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 to bring about

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 the new creation.

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 And so having already

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 made that connection,

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 this connection,

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 this parallel

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 seems more plausible.

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 And secondly,

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 I think it's intended

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 to be understood

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 in a metaphorical way,

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 is that by anointing

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 the man's eyes with mud,

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 he's suggesting,

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 or it's showing,

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 really,

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 demonstrating the man's

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 spiritual blindness,

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 his sin as well

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 that blinds him.

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 And I think

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 the metaphorical significance

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 is seen in him

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 sending the blind man

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 to the pool of Siloam.

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 And that's significant

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 because John notes

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 that the name of the pool

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 means sent.

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 And Jesus said earlier

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 that he is the one

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 who was sent, right?

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 That he was the one

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 who was sent by the father.

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 And remember,

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 this is during the Feast of Booths,

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 which also had

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 the water ritual

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 where the priest

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 took water

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 from the pool of Siloam,

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 marched to the temple,

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 and poured it out

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 on the altar

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 and saying

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 that the living water

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 shall flow out

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 from Jerusalem

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 as it was prophesied

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 in Zechariah 14.8.

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 So then,

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 remembering this,

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 then Jesus anoints

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 this man's eyes

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 with mud

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 and then he goes

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 to the pool of Siloam,

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 which means sent,

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 and he washes his eyes

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 and becomes,

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 he is restored to sight.

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 So then Jesus,

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 the sent one,

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 is the source

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 of that living water.

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 And when you've washed

00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:19.839
 and you're washed with him,

00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:20.879
 washed by him,

00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:21.959
 that's when we're also

00:11:21.959 --> 00:11:23.679
 restored to spiritual sight.

00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:24.579
 And that's something

00:11:24.579 --> 00:11:25.539
 that Jesus is seeking

00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:27.899
 to teach in this metaphor.

00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:29.599
 And so,

00:11:30.099 --> 00:11:31.620
 the blind man follows

00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:33.639
 his instructions

00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:35.139
 and returns

00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:36.599
 with his sight restored.

00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:39.319
 Verses 8 to 10

00:11:39.319 --> 00:11:41.299
 capture the people's astonishment.

00:11:41.839 --> 00:11:42.299
 The neighbors

00:11:42.299 --> 00:11:43.839
 and those who had seen him

00:11:43.839 --> 00:11:44.979
 before as a beggar

00:11:44.979 --> 00:11:45.599
 were saying,

00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:47.379
 is this not the man

00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:48.879
 who used to sit and beg?

00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:50.419
 Some said,

00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:51.259
 it is he.

00:11:52.079 --> 00:11:52.639
 Others said,

00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:53.080
 no,

00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:54.179
 but he is like him.

00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:55.699
 He kept saying,

00:11:55.819 --> 00:11:56.879
 I am the man.

00:11:57.819 --> 00:11:58.819
 So they said to him,

00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:00.519
 then how were your eyes opened?

00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:02.480
 And the man's answer

00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:02.939
 is simple.

00:12:03.939 --> 00:12:05.299
 The man called Jesus,

00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:05.919
 made mud,

00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:07.519
 and anointed my eyes

00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:08.319
 and said to me,

00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:10.220
 go to Siloam and wash.

00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.240
 So I went

00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.340
 and washed

00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:13.740
 and received my sight.

00:12:15.299 --> 00:12:16.240
 And naturally,

00:12:16.419 --> 00:12:17.220
 the man's neighbors,

00:12:17.319 --> 00:12:18.139
 as we would be also,

00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:19.019
 are very interested

00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:20.179
 in meeting this person

00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:21.519
 with extraordinary ability.

00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:22.459
 And so they ask,

00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:23.179
 where is he?

00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:23.759
 But he replies,

00:12:23.839 --> 00:12:24.819
 I do not know.

00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:26.879
 And so this is

00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:27.839
 the physical healing

00:12:27.839 --> 00:12:29.399
 of the blind man.

00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:30.299
 And in doing so,

00:12:30.319 --> 00:12:31.159
 Jesus proves himself

00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:32.019
 to be the light

00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:32.599
 of the world

00:12:32.599 --> 00:12:33.639
 who also heals

00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:35.500
 spiritual blightness.

00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:36.839
 And the ensuing

00:12:36.839 --> 00:12:37.479
 confrontation

00:12:37.479 --> 00:12:38.179
 with the Jews

00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:39.359
 further demonstrates this.

00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:41.180
 And so the amazed neighbor,

00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:42.399
 as they bring the man

00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:43.340
 to the Pharisees

00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:44.019
 or the Jews,

00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:44.840
 the Jewish leaders

00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:46.779
 at the local synagogue level,

00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:48.120
 and they probably

00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:49.659
 didn't have any malicious intent,

00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:52.779
 even though it turns sinister.

00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:55.259
 And so they come,

00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:57.100
 they are just seeking

00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:57.940
 some insight,

00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:58.259
 you know,

00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.360
 because something happened

00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:00.399
 that was clearly amazing

00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.740
 and had some spiritual importance.

00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:03.279
 So they wanted to ask

00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.279
 the local authorities,

00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:05.120
 spiritual authorities,

00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:06.320
 what to make

00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:07.220
 of all of this.

00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:09.000
 And so they say,

00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:11.300
 but there's a hint here

00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:12.320
 of a brewing conflict

00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:14.240
 because it's noted by John

00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:16.360
 that now it was a Sabbath day

00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:17.980
 when Jesus made the mud

00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:20.120
 and opened his eyes.

00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:23.720
 Now, you might recall

00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:24.840
 from chapter 5

00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:26.920
 that even though the Jews

00:13:26.920 --> 00:13:27.720
 were very particular

00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:28.759
 about observing the Sabbath,

00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:31.240
 the actual command

00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:31.820
 in the Old Testament

00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:32.820
 was quite general.

00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:34.259
 It was simply a command

00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:35.240
 not to work.

00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:37.200
 But on top of that,

00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.820
 the Jews had accumulated

00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:39.840
 many traditions,

00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:41.180
 a tradition of the elders

00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:42.940
 that specified exactly

00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:44.920
 what constituted that work.

00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:46.560
 And one of them

00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:48.180
 was for doctors

00:13:48.180 --> 00:13:49.340
 or for physicians,

00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:50.060
 healing,

00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:52.320
 applying certain medicines.

00:13:52.940 --> 00:13:53.899
 And only exception

00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:55.320
 to that rule

00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.000
 was when it was

00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.139
 a life-threatening circumstance,

00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:58.639
 which clearly this was not.

00:13:58.720 --> 00:13:59.120
 I mean, this man

00:13:59.120 --> 00:13:59.720
 has been blind

00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:00.560
 for all of his life.

00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:02.220
 But so their indignation

00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:03.320
 is Jesus,

00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:05.460
 if you really are from God,

00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:06.580
 if you really observe

00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:07.300
 the law of God,

00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:07.920
 then why can't you

00:14:07.920 --> 00:14:08.960
 just wait one day?

00:14:09.560 --> 00:14:10.480
 Just wait one day.

00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:12.240
 Why are you doing this now?

00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:12.480
 Right?

00:14:12.540 --> 00:14:14.440
 So that's their objection.

00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:16.820
 And so some of them

00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:18.460
 prematurely conclude

00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:19.340
 in verse 16,

00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:21.379
 this man is not from God

00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.160
 for he does not

00:14:22.160 --> 00:14:22.820
 keep the Sabbath.

00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:24.940
 They're so sure

00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:25.620
 that the Sabbath

00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.860
 is the law of God

00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:27.379
 and that they're

00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.460
 so convinced

00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:29.360
 of their own

00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.600
 interpretation of the Sabbath,

00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:32.300
 they can't fathom

00:14:32.300 --> 00:14:33.060
 the possibility.

00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:34.659
 They can't understand

00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:35.159
 that Jesus

00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:36.439
 is actually from God.

00:14:36.979 --> 00:14:37.779
 But others

00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:38.739
 at this point

00:14:38.739 --> 00:14:39.419
 are not so sure.

00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:39.979
 They say,

00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:41.159
 how can a man

00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:41.859
 who is a sinner

00:14:41.859 --> 00:14:43.000
 do such signs?

00:14:43.459 --> 00:14:44.379
 And there was a division

00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:45.719
 among them.

00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:46.579
 And so this group

00:14:46.579 --> 00:14:47.779
 gives greater weight

00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:48.859
 to the miracle itself.

00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:49.699
 The fact that

00:14:49.699 --> 00:14:50.439
 that demonstrates

00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:50.939
 that Jesus

00:14:50.939 --> 00:14:52.259
 is indeed from God.

00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.659
 But they're unable

00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.059
 to agree

00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:56.439
 and so they

00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:57.539
 bring the man again,

00:14:57.619 --> 00:14:58.339
 they ask him

00:14:58.339 --> 00:14:59.259
 and force him

00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:00.039
 to take a side.

00:15:00.979 --> 00:15:01.539
 Verse 17,

00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:02.679
 what do you say

00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.199
 about him

00:15:03.199 --> 00:15:04.339
 since he has

00:15:04.339 --> 00:15:05.279
 opened your eyes?

00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.360
 And then he replies,

00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.799
 he is a prophet.

00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:10.759
 So the man

00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.620
 is not about

00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.360
 to get involved

00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:13.219
 in the debate

00:15:13.219 --> 00:15:13.939
 about the nuances

00:15:13.939 --> 00:15:14.860
 of Sabbath keeping.

00:15:15.339 --> 00:15:16.319
 He simply knows

00:15:16.319 --> 00:15:17.299
 that a work of God

00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:18.379
 was done in his life.

00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:20.079
 And so he testifies

00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:21.099
 that Jesus must be

00:15:21.099 --> 00:15:22.339
 an extraordinary agent

00:15:22.339 --> 00:15:22.899
 of God,

00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:24.240
 a prophet of God,

00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:24.860
 which is,

00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.199
 you see a progression already.

00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:27.459
 In the first conversation

00:15:27.459 --> 00:15:27.819
 he had,

00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.219
 he said,

00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:28.699
 oh,

00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.939
 the man named Jesus

00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:30.500
 did this.

00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.419
 Now he says

00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:32.519
 he is a prophet.

00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.960
 There seems to be

00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:37.299
 no lack of,

00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:38.340
 you know,

00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.360
 eyewitnesses

00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.320
 and testimonies

00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:41.759
 about this man's miracle.

00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:44.019
 But the Jewish leaders

00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:45.399
 are still not satisfied.

00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:48.139
 Verses 18 to 19,

00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:48.620
 it says,

00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:50.580
 the Jews did not believe

00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:52.220
 that he had been blind

00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:53.820
 and received his sight

00:15:53.820 --> 00:15:55.659
 until they called

00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.299
 the parents

00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:57.179
 of the man

00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:57.759
 who had received

00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.179
 his sight

00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:58.740
 and asked him,

00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.139
 is this your son?

00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.399
 Who you say

00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.379
 was born blind?

00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:03.740
 How then

00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:05.080
 does he now see?

00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:06.299
 So,

00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.659
 they're involving

00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:08.299
 their parents

00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:09.639
 in the investigation

00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:11.279
 because they think

00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:12.120
 that these neighbors

00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:12.879
 who had seen him

00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.320
 get healed

00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:14.360
 might have been mistaken.

00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:14.700
 I mean,

00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.299
 maybe they didn't know

00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:16.840
 how he looked.

00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:18.019
 Now that his eyes are open,

00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:18.820
 he looks very different.

00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:19.860
 Maybe he had very big eyes,

00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:20.080
 right?

00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:20.460
 So,

00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:20.600
 okay,

00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:20.779
 well,

00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:21.659
 let's get the parents.

00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.240
 There's no way

00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:23.039
 they're going to mistake

00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:24.320
 this man for someone else,

00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:24.500
 right?

00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.960
 The parents will surely know

00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:27.080
 whether this is the right man.

00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:27.820
 And so,

00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:28.280
 they ask him,

00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:29.620
 is this your son?

00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:30.980
 And then secondly,

00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:31.540
 like,

00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.860
 they don't believe

00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:34.020
 that the man was blind

00:16:34.020 --> 00:16:34.780
 from birth,

00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.420
 right?

00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:35.820
 So they,

00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:36.360
 because,

00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:36.560
 I mean,

00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.240
 how would he know?

00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:37.860
 He didn't know

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.480
 when he was a baby.

00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:39.720
 Maybe he just remembered,

00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.660
 as far as they can remember,

00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:41.400
 he was blind,

00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:43.079
 but maybe he wasn't born blind.

00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:44.620
 So he asks the parents,

00:16:44.959 --> 00:16:45.740
 was he the one

00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.899
 that was born blind?

00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:49.000
 And then finally,

00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:50.459
 they ask him,

00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:52.159
 they ask the parents also,

00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:54.299
 and how then does he now see

00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:55.840
 if that's all true?

00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:58.439
 And the parents answer

00:16:58.439 --> 00:16:59.000
 in the affirmative

00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.879
 to the two questions.

00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:00.340
 Say,

00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.039
 is this your son?

00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.340
 Yes,

00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.659
 it is indeed our son.

00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:04.180
 And the second question also,

00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:04.500
 yes,

00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:06.139
 indeed he was born blind.

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.139
 We can attest to that.

00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.339
 But they dodged

00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:10.079
 the third question.

00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:12.060
 They say,

00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:15.300
 but how he now sees,

00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.320
 we do not know,

00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.519
 nor do we know

00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.620
 who opened his eyes.

00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:19.640
 Ask him.

00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:20.900
 He is of age.

00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:22.460
 He will speak for himself.

00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.440
 And John tells us

00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.380
 in a parenthetical note

00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:26.180
 that this is because

00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.620
 they feared the repercussions

00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:29.140
 that the Jewish leaders

00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:30.100
 had agreed.

00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:31.800
 And in a later time,

00:17:31.860 --> 00:17:32.860
 after Jesus' death

00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.440
 and resurrection,

00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.340
 there will be a more

00:17:34.340 --> 00:17:35.840
 widespread concerted effort

00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:38.060
 to root out followers of Christ

00:17:38.060 --> 00:17:39.080
 from the synagogues.

00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:40.040
 But already,

00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:40.480
 it says,

00:17:40.560 --> 00:17:41.120
 John here,

00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:43.099
 far long before Jesus' death,

00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.199
 already there is

00:17:44.199 --> 00:17:45.199
 at the local level

00:17:45.199 --> 00:17:46.519
 an effort to root out

00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.719
 people who are following Christ.

00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:49.199
 So his parents said

00:17:49.199 --> 00:17:49.599
 these things,

00:17:49.659 --> 00:17:50.379
 it says in verse 22,

00:17:50.459 --> 00:17:51.639
 because they feared the Jews,

00:17:51.719 --> 00:17:53.039
 for the Jews had already agreed

00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:54.259
 that if anyone should confess

00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.239
 Jesus to be Christ,

00:17:55.439 --> 00:17:56.699
 he was to be put out

00:17:56.699 --> 00:17:58.139
 of the synagogue.

00:17:59.179 --> 00:18:00.219
 And so they say,

00:18:00.459 --> 00:18:01.419
 they deflect the question

00:18:01.419 --> 00:18:02.019
 to their son.

00:18:02.479 --> 00:18:03.339
 He is of age.

00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.279
 He means old enough

00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.299
 to bear legal testimony.

00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.099
 Ask him.

00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:09.359
 And so they call the man back again.

00:18:10.439 --> 00:18:11.279
 Second time,

00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:11.579
 it says.

00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:12.579
 And then,

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.959
 you would think that they'll have

00:18:13.959 --> 00:18:14.919
 a different line of questioning,

00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:16.599
 but they have the exact same

00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.259
 line of questioning.

00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:19.099
 And they ask him this time,

00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.799
 but when they ask this time,

00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.759
 it's less a question,

00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:23.399
 it's more a presumption.

00:18:23.719 --> 00:18:24.679
 They're settled already

00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:25.579
 in their judgments.

00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:27.059
 So in verse 24,

00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:28.399
 they ask forcefully,

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.839
 give glory to God.

00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:33.299
 We know that this man

00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:34.099
 is a sinner.

00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.019
 So they're saying,

00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:36.399
 in effect,

00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:38.779
 the verdict is out already.

00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:39.899
 We know this man

00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:40.399
 is a sinner.

00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.279
 So fess up.

00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.899
 Confess that this man

00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:43.639
 is indeed a sinner,

00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.439
 that he didn't do

00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:45.659
 what you claim he did.

00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:48.899
 And the man,

00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.819
 it turns out,

00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:50.899
 is not as cowardly

00:18:50.899 --> 00:18:51.539
 as his parents,

00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:53.659
 so he responds humbly,

00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.939
 yet boldly.

00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:57.319
 Whether he is a sinner,

00:18:57.439 --> 00:18:58.159
 I do not know.

00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:58.640
 Well,

00:18:59.040 --> 00:19:01.180
 one thing I do know,

00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:03.060
 that though I was blind,

00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:04.840
 now I see.

00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:08.540
 The man admits

00:19:08.540 --> 00:19:09.440
 that he is not

00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.540
 a religious expert,

00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.580
 and he defers

00:19:11.580 --> 00:19:12.000
 the question

00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:12.880
 of Jesus' righteousness

00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:14.200
 to the religious leaders

00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.779
 and authorities.

00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.040
 But he's not going

00:19:16.040 --> 00:19:16.620
 to compromise

00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:17.420
 his integrity

00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.140
 and tell them

00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:19.820
 that what actually happened

00:19:19.820 --> 00:19:20.740
 didn't happen.

00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:25.540
 And this interchange

00:19:25.540 --> 00:19:26.779
 illustrates the power

00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.740
 of personal testimony,

00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.220
 doesn't it?

00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:30.740
 It doesn't matter

00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.440
 how learned

00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.099
 or authoritative

00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:33.500
 these Jewish leaders are.

00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:34.440
 They can do nothing

00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.859
 to dispute this man's

00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:36.700
 simple testimony.

00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:39.019
 One thing I do know,

00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:40.579
 that I was blind,

00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.740
 but now I see.

00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:43.859
 See, the man is not ready

00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.500
 or equipped

00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.660
 to debate the fine points

00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.220
 of theology

00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:47.359
 with the Pharisees,

00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.519
 but he can say

00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.859
 with utmost confidence,

00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.019
 I once was blind,

00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:52.120
 but now I see

00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:54.380
 because he has experienced it,

00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:56.020
 because he has tasted

00:19:56.020 --> 00:19:57.860
 and seen God's grace

00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.600
 and experienced it

00:19:58.600 --> 00:19:59.260
 in his life.

00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:00.600
 And that's the same

00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:01.220
 for all of us.

00:20:01.300 --> 00:20:02.100
 You might not know

00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:03.900
 the Bible or theology

00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:04.920
 as well as a pastor

00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:05.940
 or a seminary student.

00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.260
 You might not have

00:20:08.260 --> 00:20:08.820
 any training

00:20:08.820 --> 00:20:09.620
 in apologetics

00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:11.180
 to talk to unbelievers

00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:11.980
 or skeptics,

00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:13.860
 but every single one of us,

00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.760
 every single one of you,

00:20:14.820 --> 00:20:16.420
 if you are a true Christian,

00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.860
 know God

00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:19.240
 and have experienced God

00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.640
 and therefore

00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:20.940
 with utmost confidence

00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.540
 like this man,

00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.180
 you can say,

00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:24.359
 yeah, I once was blind,

00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:25.500
 but now I see.

00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.680
 You can share

00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.519
 your experiences.

00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:29.339
 And it's not unlike,

00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:29.599
 you know,

00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.079
 if there's,

00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.599
 imagine,

00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.619
 I'm sure all of us

00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:33.019
 have a doting parent

00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:34.119
 or you've seen one

00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:34.639
 in your life

00:20:34.639 --> 00:20:35.819
 or a doting grandparent

00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.619
 you've seen in your life,

00:20:36.659 --> 00:20:36.740
 right?

00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:37.240
 I mean,

00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.279
 don't grab anyone

00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:38.859
 that will listen

00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:39.819
 and talk about

00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.879
 every cute or weird thing

00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.920
 that their granddaughter

00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.659
 or son

00:20:42.659 --> 00:20:43.559
 or their child

00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.259
 has done, right?

00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.559
 I mean,

00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.879
 they don't need,

00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:46.859
 they're not waiting

00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.500
 for your permission

00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.339
 to talk about them,

00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:48.500
 right?

00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:48.659
 Amen.

00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.200
 Yeah.

00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:51.059
 And in the same way,

00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.899
 an avid reader,

00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.519
 when they're really

00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.619
 immersed in a good novel,

00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.399
 they're going to talk

00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:55.240
 to their friends about it,

00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.059
 whether they've read it

00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:56.619
 or not.

00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:58.279
 It's natural for us

00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.839
 to share

00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.919
 what we're passionate about.

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.240
 It's natural for us

00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.200
 to witness to

00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.419
 what we care about.

00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.460
 And why not

00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.759
 the gospel of Jesus Christ?

00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.639
 Why not the greatest news

00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:07.960
 in the world

00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.759
 that Jesus came

00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.899
 to die for our sins

00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:11.240
 and that He saved us?

00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:13.059
 Why not tell people

00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:14.659
 that we were once

00:21:14.659 --> 00:21:15.299
 prideful,

00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:15.980
 arrogant,

00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.460
 living in our own way,

00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:18.579
 and yet God came

00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.099
 into our lives

00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:19.879
 and humbled us

00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:20.559
 and showed us

00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.159
 His grace?

00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:22.879
 Why not tell people

00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:24.379
 that I once was addicted

00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:25.419
 to porn

00:21:25.419 --> 00:21:26.379
 or to alcohol

00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.980
 and God delivered me

00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.899
 from these sins

00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:29.579
 and these vices?

00:21:30.179 --> 00:21:31.439
 Why not tell people

00:21:31.439 --> 00:21:32.000
 that, you know,

00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:34.159
 I once was a prideful man

00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:35.879
 and I once was selfish

00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:36.980
 with my means

00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:38.299
 and materialistic,

00:21:38.419 --> 00:21:39.659
 but God changed me

00:21:39.659 --> 00:21:40.879
 and He's taught me

00:21:40.879 --> 00:21:41.980
 the value of generosity

00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:44.039
 and of treasuring up

00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:45.939
 my treasures in heaven.

00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:50.440
 I once was blind,

00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.180
 but now I see

00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:53.200
 and there's nothing

00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.140
 people can do

00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.700
 to contest that.

00:21:58.820 --> 00:22:00.259
 It is your story.

00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:00.820
 It's what God

00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:01.640
 has done for you.

00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.960
 And juxtaposed

00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:07.960
 to this formerly blind man's

00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:10.360
 simple, honest testimony,

00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:12.000
 the Jewish leaders

00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:14.340
 ensuing cross-examination

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:16.259
 is really an embarrassing sham.

00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:19.220
 So they ask in verse 26,

00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.959
 what did He do to you?

00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.799
 How did He open your eyes?

00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.919
 But by this point,

00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:26.339
 the man realizes

00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.679
 this is not

00:22:27.679 --> 00:22:28.679
 an even-handed jury.

00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.699
 They already have

00:22:30.699 --> 00:22:31.339
 a prejudgment

00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:33.379
 and they're not really

00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:34.859
 asking Him sincere questions.

00:22:34.939 --> 00:22:36.000
 It's not unlike a lawyer

00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:37.579
 who's cross-examining

00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.119
 a witness,

00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:40.000
 a witness whom he already knows

00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.819
 is telling the truth,

00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:42.859
 yet he still scours

00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.619
 the witness

00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.579
 and asks all kinds

00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:44.960
 of questions

00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:46.339
 just to find a loophole

00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.179
 and to make him trip

00:22:47.179 --> 00:22:47.960
 in his own words

00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.879
 and contradict himself

00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:49.599
 so that he could

00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:50.980
 invalidate his testimony.

00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:52.339
 They're doing

00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:53.779
 something that's not

00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.639
 unlike that,

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.839
 continuing to ask

00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:56.839
 this man these questions.

00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.200
 And so the man,

00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.919
 knowing this,

00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.579
 responds,

00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:01.240
 but he's not as deferential

00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.579
 as he once was.

00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:05.319
 So he says in verse 27,

00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:07.379
 I have told you already

00:23:07.379 --> 00:23:09.099
 and you would not listen.

00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.339
 Why do you want

00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.000
 to hear it again?

00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:12.899
 Do you also want

00:23:12.899 --> 00:23:13.939
 to become His disciples?

00:23:15.419 --> 00:23:16.019
 That's, I mean,

00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:17.059
 the sardonic,

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.119
 there's definitely

00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:19.259
 an edge to that

00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.359
 question at the end.

00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:22.059
 And it's obvious

00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.579
 that the man

00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.839
 pricked a sensitive spot

00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.919
 in the Jewish leaders'

00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:26.819
 egos because

00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:29.460
 it says in verses 28 to 29

00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:31.439
 that they reviled him

00:23:31.439 --> 00:23:32.079
 saying,

00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:34.079
 you are His disciple

00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:36.139
 but we are disciples

00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:37.059
 of Moses.

00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:39.319
 We know that God

00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.500
 has spoken to Moses

00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.939
 but as for this man,

00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:42.899
 we do not know

00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.740
 where he comes from.

00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:46.139
 So some of you

00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:46.839
 might remember

00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:48.000
 from chapter 7

00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:50.319
 what the Jews said

00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.059
 in chapter 7

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.899
 and this is

00:23:51.899 --> 00:23:53.159
 flatly contradicting

00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:53.720
 what they said

00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.619
 in chapter 7

00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:55.859
 because in chapter 7

00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.740
 Jesus was telling them

00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.519
 that He comes from

00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.379
 the Father in heaven

00:23:58.379 --> 00:23:59.599
 and that they were saying

00:23:59.599 --> 00:23:59.980
 that no,

00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:00.659
 we know exactly

00:24:00.659 --> 00:24:01.359
 where you come from.

00:24:01.439 --> 00:24:01.939
 You didn't come from

00:24:01.939 --> 00:24:02.319
 the Father.

00:24:02.939 --> 00:24:03.740
 And now they're saying

00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.500
 we have no idea

00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.180
 where he comes from.

00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:06.519
 So they're just

00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:08.319
 using what's expedient

00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:10.240
 to argue against

00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.940
 the claims of Jesus,

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:12.559
 to discredit Jesus.

00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:13.680
 At first,

00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:15.059
 but what's interesting

00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:16.900
 is in an ironic way

00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:17.660
 what they're saying

00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.400
 is true

00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.380
 on both accounts

00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:21.039
 because on one sense

00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:22.519
 they do know

00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.559
 exactly where Jesus

00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.039
 came from,

00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:25.120
 that He was born

00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:25.960
 of Mary

00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:28.019
 and that He was

00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.940
 raised in Nazareth.

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.819
 They know that.

00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.480
 But in another sense

00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.420
 they have no idea

00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.120
 where he comes from,

00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:34.239
 that He was actually

00:24:34.239 --> 00:24:35.779
 born in Bethlehem

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:37.579
 as the promised Messiah,

00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:39.000
 that He was born

00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.599
 of a virgin

00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:41.079
 and that He came

00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.119
 from God the Father.

00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.479
 So what they're saying,

00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.419
 they're saying

00:24:44.419 --> 00:24:45.299
 contradicting themselves

00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.039
 but ironically

00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:47.439
 they're telling the truth

00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:48.239
 on both accounts.

00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:51.479
 And so the man now

00:24:51.479 --> 00:24:52.839
 is in disbelief

00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:54.279
 about the Jewish leader's

00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:55.399
 stubborn refusal

00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:56.759
 to accept his testimony

00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:58.179
 and then he scoffs

00:24:58.179 --> 00:24:58.899
 at them in verses

00:24:58.899 --> 00:25:00.239
 30 and 33.

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.660
 why this is

00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.620
 an amazing thing.

00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:04.079
 You do not know

00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.880
 where He comes from

00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:05.940
 and yet He opened

00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.720
 my eyes.

00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.359
 We know that God

00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:09.180
 does not listen

00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.700
 to sinners

00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.579
 but if anyone

00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.680
 is a worshiper of God

00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.460
 and does His will,

00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:13.660
 God listens to him.

00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.400
 Never since

00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.259
 the world began

00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.400
 has it been heard

00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.000
 that anyone

00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.920
 opened the eyes

00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:20.539
 of a man born blind.

00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:21.940
 If this man

00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.759
 were not from God,

00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:24.359
 he could do nothing.

00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:26.479
 So the man

00:25:26.479 --> 00:25:27.519
 is really appealing

00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:29.319
 to even their integrity

00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.479
 because he doesn't say

00:25:30.479 --> 00:25:31.699
 I know

00:25:31.699 --> 00:25:32.419
 that God

00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:32.919
 doesn't listen

00:25:32.919 --> 00:25:33.519
 to sinners.

00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:33.939
 He says

00:25:33.939 --> 00:25:34.939
 we know

00:25:34.939 --> 00:25:35.519
 that God

00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.059
 doesn't listen

00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.500
 to sinners.

00:25:36.679 --> 00:25:37.319
 We Jews,

00:25:37.419 --> 00:25:38.399
 we all know this.

00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.419
 You know this.

00:25:41.419 --> 00:25:42.479
 So their roles

00:25:42.479 --> 00:25:43.799
 have really been reversed.

00:25:44.439 --> 00:25:45.839
 So the pupil,

00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.839
 the one that should be

00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:47.399
 sitting under

00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.000
 their instruction

00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.319
 is now teaching

00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:51.000
 these men

00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.759
 of authority,

00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.339
 of religious leaders.

00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:57.419
 And he adds

00:25:57.419 --> 00:25:58.419
 that no one

00:25:58.419 --> 00:25:59.000
 could have opened

00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.379
 to someone

00:25:59.379 --> 00:26:00.939
 who was born blind,

00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.459
 who was blind

00:26:01.459 --> 00:26:01.959
 from birth.

00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:03.339
 And this is significant

00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:05.019
 because there are

00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.740
 few instances

00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.500
 in the Bible

00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.159
 in the Old Testament

00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:08.519
 of blind being healed

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.359
 but those were not

00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:09.919
 people who were

00:26:09.919 --> 00:26:10.919
 blind from birth.

00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:11.979
 And in all of

00:26:11.979 --> 00:26:12.859
 Jewish records

00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:14.240
 there is no record

00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.099
 of a man

00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:17.099
 born blind

00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:17.759
 being healed.

00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.359
 So this really

00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:19.159
 is the only one.

00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.619
 And so what he's saying

00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.259
 is quite true.

00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.279
 And even according

00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.899
 to modern medicine

00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:24.000
 it is much more difficult

00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:26.220
 usually to heal people

00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:26.960
 who have been born

00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.420
 with blindness.

00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:28.279
 It's more complex

00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:28.720
 than someone

00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.539
 who turns blind

00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.920
 usually due to cataracts

00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.599
 or something like that

00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.099
 which is just

00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.980
 with a cataract surgery

00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.519
 you can remove.

00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:35.680
 And so the Jewish leaders

00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:37.240
 here can't stand

00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.160
 being lectured

00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.779
 by a man

00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.720
 whom they consider

00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.480
 beneath them.

00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.339
 And so they resort now

00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:43.660
 to a personal attack

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:45.059
 on the man's character.

00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.240
 Verse 34,

00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.700
 you were born

00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:49.059
 in utter sin

00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.859
 and would you teach us?

00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.440
 And then they cast

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.339
 him out.

00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:55.120
 Now that's a really

00:26:55.120 --> 00:26:56.019
 low blow

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.000
 from what we know

00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.539
 about the man

00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:59.019
 because he was born blind.

00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.099
 So there was probably

00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:01.120
 already an area

00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:01.920
 that's something

00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.539
 that he's heard

00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:03.279
 growing up.

00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.440
 You were born blind

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.400
 because someone sinned

00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:06.839
 because maybe

00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.620
 your parents sinned

00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:08.059
 or your sinned.

00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:08.759
 You were born

00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:10.279
 in sin.

00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.680
 And so they tell him

00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.299
 you were born

00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.620
 in utter sin.

00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.739
 And ironically,

00:27:15.979 --> 00:27:16.899
 as they do that,

00:27:16.979 --> 00:27:17.619
 as they accuse

00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:18.079
 this man

00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.099
 of being born

00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:19.939
 in utter sin,

00:27:20.479 --> 00:27:23.379
 they inadvertently

00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:24.139
 concede the point

00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:24.979
 that they've been arguing.

00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:26.639
 So I guess

00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:28.859
 this man was born blind

00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:29.379
 after all.

00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.519
 He was.

00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.599
 And Jesus healed

00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:32.879
 the man

00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:33.679
 that was born blind.

00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:36.619
 And they kicked the man

00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.599
 out of local synagogue.

00:27:38.979 --> 00:27:39.739
 But as it says,

00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:41.139
 Jesus says in Matthew 5,

00:27:41.219 --> 00:27:42.219
 blessed are those

00:27:42.219 --> 00:27:43.000
 who are persecuted

00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.240
 for righteousness sake.

00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.460
 For theirs is

00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.480
 the kingdom of heaven.

00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.859
 Because though the man

00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:48.740
 has been cast out,

00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.819
 he is now found

00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.660
 by Jesus.

00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.079
 Though he is rejected

00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:52.980
 by one community,

00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:54.440
 now he is accepted

00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.420
 by a new one,

00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.740
 the community of God.

00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.000
 You see this

00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.960
 in verse 35.

00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.319
 Jesus heard

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.099
 that they had

00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:01.799
 cast him out.

00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.839
 And having found him,

00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:04.259
 he said,

00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:05.319
 do you believe

00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:06.740
 in the son of man?

00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:08.740
 So knowing

00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.680
 that this man's faith

00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.799
 is not yet complete,

00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.900
 Jesus takes initiative

00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.680
 to seek him out,

00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.440
 to find him

00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.460
 from among the crowds.

00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.759
 And then he asks him,

00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:16.560
 do you have faith?

00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.200
 Do you believe

00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:18.060
 in the son of man?

00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.420
 And so the man

00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:20.340
 had gone from saying

00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:20.759
 that Jesus,

00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.920
 the man named Jesus

00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.680
 did this for me,

00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.519
 to saying that

00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.440
 he is a prophet.

00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.720
 And now we see

00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.799
 his profession

00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:28.940
 after this.

00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:30.019
 And when Jesus

00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.340
 says the son of man,

00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:32.259
 he is not saying

00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.180
 that he is merely

00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:34.120
 a son of man,

00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:35.019
 that he is just a man.

00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:36.000
 But he's referring

00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.740
 to this cosmic figure

00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.600
 in Daniel 7,

00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.799
 who is the ultimate

00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:41.019
 representative of God

00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.700
 among men.

00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.579
 In Daniel 7,

00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.480
 he speaks of one

00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.440
 like a son of man

00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.480
 who approaches God

00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:47.460
 and receives from God

00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.240
 sovereignty,

00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.039
 glory,

00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:49.779
 and dominion,

00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:50.400
 and authority.

00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.480
 And then Jesus

00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:52.019
 is saying that

00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:53.599
 he is that son of man,

00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:55.000
 the ultimate son of man

00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.539
 and representative

00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.700
 of God among men.

00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.859
 And because he has

00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:59.099
 unique access to God,

00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.259
 he's uniquely able

00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.180
 to reveal God

00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.879
 to the people.

00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:04.160
 That's why he doesn't say

00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:05.180
 he is a son of man,

00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:07.500
 he is the son of man.

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.980
 The word became flesh,

00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:10.279
 the son of God

00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.819
 who became the son of man.

00:29:12.900 --> 00:29:14.539
 And the man asks,

00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.319
 he wants to know,

00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:16.440
 who is he, sir,

00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.980
 that I may believe in him?

00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:20.119
 And then Jesus tells him plainly,

00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:22.660
 you have seen him,

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.660
 and it is he

00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:26.440
 who is speaking to you.

00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.539
 Isn't this passage

00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.119
 so beautiful?

00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:30.099
 It weaves together

00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:31.400
 just that metaphor

00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:32.519
 as well as the literal

00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:34.160
 spliness and sight

00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:35.859
 in such a seamless way.

00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:38.039
 And he has now seen him.

00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.279
 This blind man

00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:40.659
 has seen the Savior,

00:29:40.899 --> 00:29:41.679
 seen Jesus,

00:29:41.959 --> 00:29:42.319
 literally,

00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.079
 physically,

00:29:43.219 --> 00:29:44.139
 and spiritually.

00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:47.599
 So the man responds

00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.879
 in the only sensible way

00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:49.779
 we can

00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:51.119
 after such an amazing revelation.

00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:52.959
 Verse 38,

00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:53.399
 he says,

00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:54.179
 Lord,

00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:56.039
 I believe,

00:29:56.979 --> 00:29:58.419
 and he worshipped him.

00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:01.099
 Now it goes from

00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:02.339
 the man named Jesus,

00:30:02.699 --> 00:30:03.179
 the prophet,

00:30:03.719 --> 00:30:04.679
 to the Lord,

00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:06.940
 God whom he worships.

00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:09.100
 He finally recognizes

00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:10.840
 Jesus for who he is.

00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:14.820
 And this is amazing

00:30:14.820 --> 00:30:15.960
 because the man

00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:17.840
 who was blind from birth

00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:18.980
 now sees,

00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.840
 both physically

00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:20.480
 and spiritually,

00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.900
 but the Jewish leaders

00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:23.000
 who have had sight

00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.960
 their whole life

00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:25.700
 are spiritually blind

00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.960
 through and through.

00:30:27.080 --> 00:30:28.360
 And that's the irony

00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:29.519
 that John's trying to convey.

00:30:30.320 --> 00:30:31.400
 They are so sure

00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:32.380
 of their own system,

00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.420
 their own worldview,

00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.560
 their own religion,

00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.920
 yet forgetful

00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:37.620
 even of the numerous promises

00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:38.560
 in the Old Testament.

00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:39.200
 For example,

00:30:39.300 --> 00:30:40.519
 in Isaiah 42, 7,

00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.380
 that the Messiah

00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.340
 would come to open

00:30:42.340 --> 00:30:43.720
 the eyes that are blind.

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.279
 The Savior

00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:47.259
 that they've been waiting for

00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.140
 is right in front

00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.860
 of their face,

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:50.160
 yet they fail

00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:51.140
 to recognize him

00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:52.560
 because he doesn't fit

00:30:52.560 --> 00:30:53.360
 their agenda

00:30:53.360 --> 00:30:54.960
 and presuppositions.

00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:58.799
 So Jesus comments

00:30:58.799 --> 00:30:59.740
 in verse 39,

00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:00.880
 For judgment,

00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:02.400
 I came into this world

00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:04.640
 and those who do not see

00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.360
 may see

00:31:05.360 --> 00:31:06.620
 and those who see

00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:08.500
 may become blind.

00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:11.100
 Those who do not see

00:31:11.100 --> 00:31:12.620
 are those who admit

00:31:12.620 --> 00:31:13.279
 their blindness,

00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.819
 who humble themselves

00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:16.200
 and cling to God.

00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:18.840
 Those who see

00:31:18.840 --> 00:31:20.860
 are those who

00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:22.059
 arrogantly deny

00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:23.000
 their spiritual blindness.

00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:24.640
 Those who think

00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:25.160
 they see,

00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:25.859
 they don't see.

00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:28.579
 And Jesus said

00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.140
 he's the light

00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.579
 of the world

00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:30.380
 and as we know,

00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:32.079
 light does illuminate,

00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.559
 it brightens,

00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.519
 but light also

00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.400
 always casts

00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:36.079
 a shadow.

00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.380
 And Jesus

00:31:38.380 --> 00:31:38.920
 is the light

00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:39.380
 of the world

00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:40.259
 and when you turn

00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.940
 to him,

00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.920
 you receive light,

00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:43.160
 you receive sight,

00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:44.039
 you're able to see,

00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:44.880
 but when you turn

00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:45.539
 from him,

00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.299
 you enter into

00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:46.920
 the shadow,

00:31:47.859 --> 00:31:48.400
 the darkness.

00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.400
 That's the judgment

00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.400
 Jesus is speaking of.

00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:54.119
 The division that

00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:54.819
 happens wherever

00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.480
 he goes because

00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.059
 as the light

00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:56.420
 of the world

00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.079
 shines,

00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.359
 a division happens.

00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.319
 Those who dwell

00:31:59.319 --> 00:31:59.960
 in the shadows

00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.559
 and the darkness

00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.319
 and those who dwell

00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:02.640
 in the light.

00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.880
 And as he's saying

00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:06.019
 this to this man

00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:06.740
 he has healed,

00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:07.960
 there are some

00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.599
 Pharisees

00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.819
 who are eavesdropping

00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:11.460
 and so they come

00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:11.859
 to him

00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:13.500
 and they object.

00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.279
 Well,

00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:16.420
 are we also blind?

00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:16.460
 blind?

00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.240
 They're getting

00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:20.100
 hotter now

00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:20.920
 in their questions.

00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:23.220
 But they can't

00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.500
 fathom the possibility

00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.220
 that they're

00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.120
 spiritually blind.

00:32:26.620 --> 00:32:27.920
 We are the children

00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:28.420
 of Abraham.

00:32:28.900 --> 00:32:30.100
 We have the law

00:32:30.100 --> 00:32:30.560
 of Moses.

00:32:31.140 --> 00:32:32.360
 We are the faithful

00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:34.039
 among God's people.

00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:36.740
 Are we also blind?

00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:41.740
 And because

00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.460
 they do not

00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:43.660
 admit their blindness

00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:44.460
 but insist

00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:45.599
 that they can see,

00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:48.019
 they do not

00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.640
 open themselves

00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.200
 up to the light

00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.700
 of the world

00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:51.519
 and remain

00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.200
 in their guilt.

00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:52.740
 That's what Jesus

00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.200
 says here.

00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.019
 If you were blind

00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:54.779
 you would have

00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.259
 no guilt.

00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.519
 But now that you say

00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.079
 we see,

00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:58.420
 your guilt remains.

00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.680
 And let me ask you

00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.259
 this question

00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:01.799
 this morning.

00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:03.980
 Are you also blind?

00:33:06.599 --> 00:33:07.460
 Because perhaps

00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:08.299
 you consider yourself

00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:08.919
 a believer

00:33:08.919 --> 00:33:10.399
 but you have

00:33:10.399 --> 00:33:11.059
 blind spots

00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:11.859
 in your understanding

00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:12.500
 of God

00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.399
 and his will.

00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.339
 Maybe you're so

00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:15.740
 absorbed in your own life

00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.859
 that you give

00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.440
 little thought

00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.480
 to God's plan

00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:19.379
 and will for you.

00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:22.019
 Maybe you have

00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:23.200
 so aligned yourself

00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:23.819
 with the spirit

00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.740
 of the times

00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:26.220
 our ever-changing culture

00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:26.879
 that you find it

00:33:26.879 --> 00:33:27.799
 impossible to make

00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:28.779
 room for a God

00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.419
 who demands

00:33:29.419 --> 00:33:30.319
 sacrificial

00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:30.839
 and often

00:33:30.839 --> 00:33:31.779
 counter-cultural

00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.779
 commitments.

00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:36.940
 Rather than

00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.759
 letting God

00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.519
 and his word

00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.279
 search you

00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:39.879
 and judge you

00:33:39.879 --> 00:33:40.519
 you search

00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.299
 and judge

00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:41.920
 God's word.

00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:45.019
 You take

00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:45.579
 what you like

00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:46.180
 about God

00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:46.819
 and his will

00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:48.019
 and whatever

00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:48.899
 fits your agenda

00:33:48.899 --> 00:33:49.500
 and assumptions

00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.779
 and then leave

00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.379
 the rest.

00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.500
 Then you are not

00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:56.420
 very different

00:33:56.420 --> 00:33:57.440
 from these Pharisees.

00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.660
 who are oblivious

00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:03.240
 to their own

00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:03.759
 blindness.

00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.700
 Pastor Tim Keller

00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:07.420
 at a church

00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:07.819
 in New York

00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:08.320
 says this,

00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:09.259
 if your God

00:34:09.259 --> 00:34:10.079
 never disagrees

00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:10.480
 with you,

00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:11.579
 you might just

00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.199
 be worshiping

00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:12.920
 an idealized

00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:13.840
 version of yourself.

00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:18.920
 Forsake the idols

00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:19.820
 of yourself

00:34:19.820 --> 00:34:20.400
 in this world

00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.440
 and when you face

00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:22.259
 the sneers

00:34:22.259 --> 00:34:23.239
 and the jeers

00:34:23.239 --> 00:34:24.099
 and the persecution

00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:25.079
 of the culture

00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:25.920
 and you're cast

00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:27.199
 out of their circle

00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:28.259
 of respectability,

00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:29.179
 know that God

00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:30.460
 himself will seek you out.

00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:31.300
 He will find you

00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:32.280
 and you'll find

00:34:32.280 --> 00:34:32.860
 a new community

00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:33.900
 and family of God.

00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:37.579
 Some of you

00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:38.240
 have not yet

00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:38.900
 made a decision

00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:40.500
 to follow Jesus

00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.380
 and to believe in him.

00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.940
 Perhaps you consider

00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:44.940
 yourself a smart

00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:46.019
 logical person

00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:47.720
 and you're so convinced

00:34:47.720 --> 00:34:48.780
 of your intelligence

00:34:48.780 --> 00:34:49.840
 and rationality

00:34:49.840 --> 00:34:51.159
 you can't bring yourself

00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:51.900
 to accept

00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:53.579
 the unverified existence

00:34:53.579 --> 00:34:54.519
 of the supernatural.

00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.599
 But when you say

00:34:58.599 --> 00:34:59.400
 that you can't believe

00:34:59.400 --> 00:34:59.880
 in something

00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:00.599
 unless it's

00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:01.840
 empirically proven,

00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.500
 you're making a claim

00:35:03.500 --> 00:35:04.019
 that itself

00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:05.619
 is not empirically proven.

00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:07.559
 Who says

00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:08.900
 that empirical proof

00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:09.740
 is the only kind

00:35:09.740 --> 00:35:10.160
 of proof,

00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:11.660
 is the only

00:35:11.660 --> 00:35:12.480
 valid criterion

00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:13.039
 for belief?

00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:16.420
 Perhaps you consider

00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:17.599
 yourself a pretty good

00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:18.420
 moral person

00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:20.599
 and so you can't

00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.180
 bring yourself

00:35:21.180 --> 00:35:21.780
 to accept

00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:22.960
 the humiliating proposition

00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:23.980
 that you're a sinner

00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:25.660
 in need of a savior,

00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:27.980
 that you are blind

00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:28.519
 spiritually,

00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.039
 and that you need

00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:30.000
 the light of the world.

00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.380
 But on what

00:35:31.380 --> 00:35:32.400
 exactly is your

00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:33.519
 sense of morality

00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:34.059
 based?

00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:35.960
 Your understanding

00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:36.880
 of human rights?

00:35:39.119 --> 00:35:40.519
 Who gets to define

00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:40.820
 that?

00:35:42.280 --> 00:35:43.340
 Apart from God,

00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:44.440
 where is the proper

00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:45.079
 basis,

00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:46.539
 authority behind

00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:47.840
 morality and human rights?

00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:51.860
 perhaps you think

00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:52.200
 of yourself

00:35:52.200 --> 00:35:53.100
 as a spiritual person.

00:35:53.220 --> 00:35:54.120
 I've met many people

00:35:54.120 --> 00:35:54.980
 like this in Cambridge.

00:35:55.640 --> 00:35:56.559
 Maybe you feel

00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:57.280
 that you're very

00:35:57.280 --> 00:35:58.039
 in touch with

00:35:58.039 --> 00:35:59.140
 the energies,

00:35:59.700 --> 00:36:00.400
 the spirits,

00:36:00.780 --> 00:36:01.760
 the forces of nature.

00:36:01.760 --> 00:36:05.940
 you're so convinced

00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:06.700
 of your own

00:36:06.700 --> 00:36:07.640
 spiritual enlightenment

00:36:07.640 --> 00:36:08.300
 that you can't

00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:08.920
 bring yourself

00:36:08.920 --> 00:36:09.640
 to accept

00:36:09.640 --> 00:36:10.980
 the exclusive proposition

00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.380
 that spiritual life

00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:13.240
 and salvation

00:36:13.240 --> 00:36:14.340
 are found in Jesus

00:36:14.340 --> 00:36:15.500
 Christ alone.

00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:20.680
 But let me ask you,

00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:21.580
 how do you know

00:36:21.580 --> 00:36:22.780
 you're interacting

00:36:22.780 --> 00:36:23.660
 with the Spirit of God

00:36:23.660 --> 00:36:24.660
 and not other spirits?

00:36:26.460 --> 00:36:27.800
 What makes you so sure

00:36:27.800 --> 00:36:28.900
 that your spiritual compass

00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:29.560
 is healthy

00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:30.840
 and functioning properly?

00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:33.179
 I hope I can just

00:36:33.179 --> 00:36:34.639
 sow a healthy doubt

00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:35.179
 in your mind

00:36:35.179 --> 00:36:35.920
 if this is you

00:36:35.920 --> 00:36:36.960
 this morning.

00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:38.360
 Just maybe

00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:39.420
 there is a possibility

00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:41.500
 that God has higher

00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:42.259
 moral standards

00:36:42.259 --> 00:36:42.980
 and expectations

00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:43.679
 than you do.

00:36:45.179 --> 00:36:45.860
 Just maybe

00:36:45.860 --> 00:36:46.820
 there is a possibility

00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:48.500
 that God knows things

00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:49.320
 that you simply

00:36:49.320 --> 00:36:50.019
 don't know

00:36:50.019 --> 00:36:51.320
 and can't hope

00:36:51.320 --> 00:36:51.940
 to understand.

00:36:53.019 --> 00:36:53.599
 Just maybe

00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:54.539
 there's a possibility

00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:56.079
 that your understanding

00:36:56.079 --> 00:36:56.860
 of the spiritual world

00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:57.619
 is incomplete

00:36:57.619 --> 00:36:58.360
 and inadequate.

00:36:59.559 --> 00:37:01.480
 I adjure you

00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:01.759
 this morning,

00:37:01.840 --> 00:37:02.539
 don't be like

00:37:02.539 --> 00:37:03.179
 the Pharisees

00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:04.179
 who were so assured

00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:05.460
 of their sight

00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:06.299
 that they remained

00:37:06.299 --> 00:37:07.039
 in their blindness.

00:37:09.320 --> 00:37:10.679
 Jesus is the light

00:37:10.679 --> 00:37:11.119
 of the world

00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:12.079
 who gives sight

00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:13.659
 but only to those

00:37:13.659 --> 00:37:14.440
 who recognize

00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:15.980
 their blindness.

00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:18.380
 And the light

00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:18.860
 of Christ

00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:20.219
 shines most brightly

00:37:20.219 --> 00:37:21.820
 in the death

00:37:21.820 --> 00:37:22.519
 and resurrection

00:37:22.519 --> 00:37:23.880
 of the Son of God

00:37:23.880 --> 00:37:25.059
 when He lays down

00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:25.920
 His own life

00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.619
 to atone

00:37:26.619 --> 00:37:27.719
 for the sins

00:37:27.719 --> 00:37:28.219
 of people

00:37:28.219 --> 00:37:29.279
 like us.

00:37:29.639 --> 00:37:30.500
 So turn to Him.

00:37:30.879 --> 00:37:31.679
 Look to that light.

00:37:32.039 --> 00:37:32.699
 Believe in Him

00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:33.139
 this morning.

00:37:34.659 --> 00:37:35.839
 And when you do that,

00:37:35.959 --> 00:37:36.519
 when you open up

00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:36.879
 yourselves

00:37:36.879 --> 00:37:38.039
 to the light

00:37:38.039 --> 00:37:38.399
 of the world,

00:37:38.459 --> 00:37:38.859
 you will see

00:37:38.859 --> 00:37:39.819
 that He makes sense

00:37:39.819 --> 00:37:41.159
 of both the beauty

00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:41.899
 and brokenness

00:37:41.899 --> 00:37:42.379
 of this world,

00:37:42.439 --> 00:37:43.480
 the good and evil

00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:44.239
 in this world

00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:45.419
 and the natural

00:37:45.419 --> 00:37:46.339
 and the supernatural

00:37:46.339 --> 00:37:47.480
 in this world.

00:37:48.159 --> 00:37:49.339
 This is what

00:37:49.339 --> 00:37:49.879
 C.S. Lewis

00:37:49.879 --> 00:37:51.639
 was speaking of

00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:52.539
 in his famous statement.

00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:54.440
 I believe in Christianity

00:37:54.440 --> 00:37:55.300
 as I believe

00:37:55.300 --> 00:37:55.940
 that the Son

00:37:55.940 --> 00:37:56.559
 has risen

00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:57.820
 not only because

00:37:57.820 --> 00:37:58.679
 I see it

00:37:58.679 --> 00:38:00.039
 but because by it

00:38:00.039 --> 00:38:02.219
 I see everything else.

00:38:03.400 --> 00:38:03.940
 Jesus

00:38:03.940 --> 00:38:05.279
 is the light

00:38:05.279 --> 00:38:06.019
 of the world

00:38:06.019 --> 00:38:07.000
 who gives sight

00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:07.719
 to those

00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:08.460
 who recognize

00:38:08.460 --> 00:38:09.599
 their blindness

00:38:09.599 --> 00:38:11.320
 and it's only

00:38:11.320 --> 00:38:12.340
 by His light

00:38:12.340 --> 00:38:13.440
 that we can truly see.

00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:15.759
 Let's pray together.

00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:21.860
 Thank God.

00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:36.700
 Thank you.