WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.359 Well, good morning. 00:00:03.560 --> 00:00:06.740 In a complete departure from our normal practice, 00:00:07.060 --> 00:00:10.320 I'm simply going to shout out that the Princeton Tigers won 00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:15.900 their second round NCAA tournament game last night, 00:00:16.539 --> 00:00:20.080 which has not happened since 1967. 00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:25.019 So if you don't know, that's my alma mater. 00:00:25.019 --> 00:00:31.280 So, and being up here, we have loved our brothers and sisters from Yale 00:00:31.280 --> 00:00:36.119 and pray that you will rejoice with us in this moment. 00:00:36.820 --> 00:00:38.340 So, okay. 00:00:44.060 --> 00:00:47.000 As I take out my glasses, I have a confession to make. 00:00:47.980 --> 00:00:50.359 When I started preaching here 10 years ago, 00:00:50.420 --> 00:00:52.659 I printed out my sermons in 12-point font. 00:00:52.659 --> 00:00:58.159 They now are printed out in 14- or 16-point font, 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:00.019 depending on the day. 00:01:00.979 --> 00:01:04.420 I can now only read meaningfully with glasses. 00:01:04.899 --> 00:01:06.340 I can't see the words otherwise. 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:08.840 They are just blurs unless I, you know, 00:01:08.920 --> 00:01:10.359 do what my father used to do, 00:01:10.420 --> 00:01:12.879 hold the newspaper way back there so he can, yeah. 00:01:13.159 --> 00:01:19.379 So, I know that not being able to see clearly 00:01:19.379 --> 00:01:22.539 as something that has come upon me later in life. 00:01:22.659 --> 00:01:25.299 For some of you, it's been a lifelong condition. 00:01:26.199 --> 00:01:32.000 For some of you, vision impairment has deeply impacted your life. 00:01:32.119 --> 00:01:37.280 And some of you who cannot see are no longer able to use your eyes 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:38.979 to see the world around you. 00:01:39.780 --> 00:01:41.199 I did some research this week. 00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:43.439 According to the World Health Organization, 00:01:43.439 --> 00:01:49.780 2.2 billion people in the world suffer from some kind of vision impairment. 00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:54.280 And it is a tragedy that over a billion of them 00:01:54.280 --> 00:02:00.680 do not have the resources for those things to be addressed well. 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:06.879 Thankfully, they're working to make changes in that. 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:09.879 But when we come to the Bible, 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:13.560 the Bible talks of a more widespread problem 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:16.740 than physical blindness as significant as it is. 00:02:17.340 --> 00:02:19.620 And that is the problem of spiritual blindness. 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:22.039 The blindness where we cannot, 00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:23.719 we do not, 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:26.579 see God rightly. 00:02:27.900 --> 00:02:29.960 And the Bible tells us that this is an affliction 00:02:29.960 --> 00:02:31.039 that all of us, 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:33.280 apart from his grace, 00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:35.560 are afflicted by. 00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:39.139 There may be many things, 00:02:39.299 --> 00:02:41.400 ways that this expresses itself in our hearts. 00:02:41.519 --> 00:02:44.780 We may be confused by the different ideas of God in the world 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:46.979 and not know what is true or right. 00:02:47.099 --> 00:02:49.620 We may see God through the lens of our own experience 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:52.060 and only be able to accept him 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:54.960 in the ways that he is understandable to us. 00:02:55.699 --> 00:02:57.979 We may be ruled by our hopes and fears 00:02:57.979 --> 00:02:59.939 of who God might be or could be 00:02:59.939 --> 00:03:02.259 or the expectations that we have of him. 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:05.579 And sometimes we pridefully say 00:03:05.580 --> 00:03:09.420 that God must be this or that for us, 00:03:10.040 --> 00:03:12.660 for us to see him as well, at all. 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:15.760 Our passage this morning, 00:03:15.920 --> 00:03:18.860 as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Mark, 00:03:19.540 --> 00:03:22.040 addresses this very topic of spiritual blindness. 00:03:23.220 --> 00:03:24.500 And as we look at it together, 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:26.700 we will not only see this blindness exposed, 00:03:27.100 --> 00:03:30.120 but we will see Jesus meet us in the midst of it. 00:03:30.120 --> 00:03:32.680 So, this is where we're going this morning. 00:03:32.860 --> 00:03:34.120 Mark chapter 8. 00:03:34.240 --> 00:03:36.939 It's page 792 in your Pew Bible. 00:03:37.700 --> 00:03:39.680 If you'd like to look along with me, 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:40.800 I encourage you. 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:44.020 We're going to go ahead and read this passage together. 00:03:44.180 --> 00:03:45.659 We're going to pray for God's help, 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:48.560 and then we will look at it together 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:50.060 for a few minutes this morning. 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:54.460 So, Mark 8, starting in verse 11. 00:03:54.460 --> 00:03:59.219 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:00.379 him being Jesus, 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:06.080 seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:09.439 And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, 00:04:09.920 --> 00:04:13.080 Why does this generation seek a sign? 00:04:13.260 --> 00:04:14.500 Truly, I say to you, 00:04:14.580 --> 00:04:17.500 no sign will be given to this generation. 00:04:18.280 --> 00:04:19.439 And he left them. 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:21.120 He got into the boat again 00:04:21.120 --> 00:04:22.540 and went to the other side. 00:04:22.540 --> 00:04:25.879 Now, they, that is the disciples, 00:04:26.040 --> 00:04:27.260 had forgotten to bring bread, 00:04:27.640 --> 00:04:32.280 and they only had one loaf with them in the boat. 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:33.920 And he cautioned them, saying, 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:37.740 Watch out, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:39.280 and the leaven of Herod. 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:42.480 And they began discussing with one another 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:44.160 the fact that they had no bread. 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:47.840 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, 00:04:48.259 --> 00:04:51.720 Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? 00:04:51.720 --> 00:04:55.040 Do you not yet perceive or understand? 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:57.440 Are your hearts hardened? 00:04:58.200 --> 00:05:00.100 Having eyes do you not see? 00:05:00.200 --> 00:05:02.100 And having ears do you not hear? 00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:04.240 And do you not remember? 00:05:04.820 --> 00:05:07.780 When I broke the five loaves for the 5,000, 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:11.420 how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? 00:05:11.780 --> 00:05:12.880 And they said to him, 00:05:12.980 --> 00:05:13.420 Twelve. 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:16.660 And the seven for the 4,000, 00:05:16.740 --> 00:05:20.060 how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? 00:05:20.060 --> 00:05:21.519 And they said to him, 00:05:21.740 --> 00:05:22.079 Seven. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:23.980 And he said to them, 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:26.259 Do you not yet understand? 00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:30.420 And they came to Bethsaida, 00:05:30.780 --> 00:05:34.819 and some people brought to him a blind man 00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:37.040 and begged him to touch him. 00:05:37.860 --> 00:05:39.639 And he took the blind man by the hand 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:41.800 and led him out of the village. 00:05:42.160 --> 00:05:43.920 And when he had spit on his eyes 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:45.399 and laid his eyes on him, 00:05:45.459 --> 00:05:46.139 he asked him, 00:05:46.139 --> 00:05:47.699 Do you see anything? 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:49.599 And he looked up and said, 00:05:49.659 --> 00:05:50.360 I see men, 00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:51.959 but they look like trees walking. 00:05:53.019 --> 00:05:56.979 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again, 00:05:57.099 --> 00:05:58.659 and he opened his eyes, 00:05:59.039 --> 00:06:00.560 his sight was restored, 00:06:00.819 --> 00:06:03.120 and he saw everything clearly. 00:06:04.159 --> 00:06:06.199 And he sent him to his home, 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:06.539 saying, 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:08.919 Do not even enter the village. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:11.279 Friends, this is God's word. 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:12.379 Let's pray together. 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:15.139 Oh, Lord Jesus, 00:06:15.279 --> 00:06:17.180 we do ask for your help this morning. 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:21.579 Lord, for we confess to you our weakness. 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:25.459 Lord, that we do not see you as we ought. 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:30.120 God, we pray that you would open our eyes 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:32.860 to see you in the scripture, 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:35.920 to see you as you have been revealed 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:37.579 in your word. 00:06:37.579 --> 00:06:40.620 Lord, to see you in your glory 00:06:40.620 --> 00:06:41.959 and majesty and power 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:43.459 and your grace and truth. 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:46.839 Jesus, may you be lifted up 00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:47.899 in our midst this morning 00:06:47.899 --> 00:06:49.560 through the proclamation of your word. 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:51.519 And may we see you 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:52.879 and respond in worship. 00:06:53.939 --> 00:06:55.560 Lord, be my help this morning, 00:06:56.219 --> 00:06:58.299 I pray in Jesus' name. 00:06:59.319 --> 00:06:59.620 Amen. 00:07:02.219 --> 00:07:03.500 What I think we will see 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:04.719 in this passage this morning 00:07:04.719 --> 00:07:05.959 is this, 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:07.779 that Jesus confronts us 00:07:07.779 --> 00:07:09.000 in our spiritual blindness 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:10.979 and comes to restore 00:07:10.979 --> 00:07:12.180 our spiritual vision. 00:07:13.539 --> 00:07:14.759 So let's look at it together. 00:07:15.399 --> 00:07:16.519 Jesus confronts us 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:17.599 in our spiritual blindness. 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:18.539 This is what we see 00:07:18.539 --> 00:07:19.740 in the first two parts 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:20.479 of this story 00:07:20.479 --> 00:07:22.839 in verses 11 through 21. 00:07:22.979 --> 00:07:23.819 And we'll look at them 00:07:23.819 --> 00:07:25.000 in sequence. 00:07:25.539 --> 00:07:26.979 The first part of the passage, 00:07:27.159 --> 00:07:29.839 verses 11 through 13, 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:31.459 is Jesus confronting 00:07:31.459 --> 00:07:33.060 the Pharisees. 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:34.660 And the Pharisees 00:07:34.660 --> 00:07:35.980 have a spiritual blindness 00:07:35.980 --> 00:07:36.899 that is characterized 00:07:36.899 --> 00:07:39.339 by a rebellious challenge 00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:40.660 to the person of Jesus. 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:42.860 Look at me at verse 11 00:07:42.860 --> 00:07:44.160 and you'll see this so clearly. 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:45.139 They came, 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:46.780 they began to argue with him. 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:48.879 They came to test him. 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:52.000 They came to dispute with him. 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:53.340 They did not come to him 00:07:53.340 --> 00:07:54.160 to learn, 00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:55.500 to understand, 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:56.879 or to hear from him, 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:58.379 but to challenge him 00:07:58.379 --> 00:07:59.560 and to contradict him. 00:07:59.899 --> 00:08:00.920 They asked for a sign 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:02.140 and you might be thinking 00:08:02.140 --> 00:08:02.980 like we might, 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.640 that they've got, 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:06.860 you've got to be kidding me. 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:08.939 This is chapter 8 of Mark 00:08:08.939 --> 00:08:10.060 and what have we seen 00:08:10.060 --> 00:08:12.300 in the first seven chapters of Mark? 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:14.600 Jesus over and over again 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:15.520 doing miracles, 00:08:16.100 --> 00:08:17.120 casting out demons, 00:08:17.460 --> 00:08:18.460 healing people, 00:08:18.900 --> 00:08:20.100 providing bread 00:08:20.100 --> 00:08:22.920 when people were hungry, 00:08:23.080 --> 00:08:24.000 walking on waters. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:25.200 What kind of a sign 00:08:25.200 --> 00:08:25.759 do you think 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:27.020 they were looking for? 00:08:27.019 --> 00:08:29.759 But in fact, 00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:30.419 it may be that 00:08:30.419 --> 00:08:30.879 they were looking 00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:32.699 for a particular kind of sign 00:08:32.699 --> 00:08:34.179 because in the Old Testament 00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:34.879 it talks about 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:35.639 how prophets 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:38.559 were to be verified 00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:40.639 by a particular kind of sign 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:42.059 and in the rabbinic tradition 00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:43.179 this sign became 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:44.220 something like 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:45.199 moving the stars, 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:46.879 something so obvious, 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:48.399 so great 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:50.039 that it was undeniable 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:52.120 that anyone who saw it 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:53.100 would be compelled 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:54.899 to believe. 00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:56.939 a sign that would overcome 00:08:56.939 --> 00:08:58.659 all of their skepticism 00:08:58.659 --> 00:09:00.419 and they asked him this 00:09:00.419 --> 00:09:01.340 to test him 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:02.699 which means 00:09:02.699 --> 00:09:03.939 they didn't really think 00:09:03.939 --> 00:09:04.740 he could do it. 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:06.019 They didn't come saying, 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:07.019 hey, Jesus, 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:08.539 if you could just show us this, 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:10.139 we'd really want to believe in you. 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:12.039 They came to him saying, 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:13.360 sure, go ahead. 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:15.699 Show us what you can do. 00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:17.600 Reminds me of, 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:18.600 forgive me 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:19.879 because I refer to this a lot, 00:09:20.059 --> 00:09:21.120 the musical 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:22.319 Jesus Christ Superstar 00:09:22.319 --> 00:09:23.840 caveat, 00:09:23.840 --> 00:09:26.879 it is not a faithful portrayal 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:27.399 of Jesus. 00:09:28.680 --> 00:09:29.920 It is, however, 00:09:30.040 --> 00:09:31.340 a fascinating look 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:32.240 into how 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:33.879 one might see Jesus 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:34.560 through the lens 00:09:34.560 --> 00:09:35.580 of different people 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:37.100 apart from the truth 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:38.080 that Jesus is God. 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:40.080 And so you see 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:41.080 near the end of it, 00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:42.100 Jesus is brought 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:43.060 before Herod 00:09:43.060 --> 00:09:44.379 and it's a great scene 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:45.060 because Herod 00:09:45.060 --> 00:09:47.200 has this great swimming pool, 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:48.740 he has like dancing girls 00:09:48.740 --> 00:09:50.240 and palm fronds, 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:51.960 it's really a scene 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:53.940 and so he sings 00:09:53.940 --> 00:09:54.680 this song, 00:09:55.060 --> 00:09:55.259 right? 00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:56.100 Jesus, 00:09:56.300 --> 00:09:57.240 I am overjoyed 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:58.519 to meet you face to face. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:09:59.340 You've been getting 00:09:59.340 --> 00:10:00.040 quite a name 00:10:00.040 --> 00:10:01.019 all around the place, 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:02.259 healing cripples, 00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:03.519 raising from the dead 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:04.900 and now I understand 00:10:04.900 --> 00:10:05.600 you're God, 00:10:05.800 --> 00:10:06.820 at least that's what 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:07.440 you've said. 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:08.980 Prove to, 00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:10.480 so you are the Christ, 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:11.860 you're the great 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:13.000 Jesus Christ, 00:10:13.280 --> 00:10:13.920 prove to me 00:10:13.920 --> 00:10:14.759 that you're no fool, 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:16.519 walk across my swimming pool. 00:10:16.800 --> 00:10:17.940 If you do that for me, 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.200 then I'll let you go free. 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:19.960 Come on, 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:20.820 King of the Jews. 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:23.560 This is the spirit 00:10:23.560 --> 00:10:25.460 of skepticism, 00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:26.360 of doubt 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:28.080 that we see 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:28.980 in these Pharisees 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:29.940 as they came. 00:10:31.040 --> 00:10:31.760 But friends, 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:32.660 the kingdom of God 00:10:32.660 --> 00:10:34.180 does not work like this. 00:10:36.420 --> 00:10:36.980 Fascinatingly, 00:10:37.020 --> 00:10:38.180 in the parallel passage 00:10:38.180 --> 00:10:39.460 in Matthew, 00:10:39.900 --> 00:10:41.020 Jesus says more 00:10:41.020 --> 00:10:41.879 to the Pharisees 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:42.800 when he rebukes 00:10:42.800 --> 00:10:44.000 their questioning, 00:10:44.540 --> 00:10:45.580 when he sighs 00:10:45.580 --> 00:10:46.980 at their response, 00:10:47.540 --> 00:10:47.920 discouraged 00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:49.420 by their unbelief. 00:10:50.820 --> 00:10:53.980 Matthew says, 00:10:55.540 --> 00:10:55.960 you know, 00:10:56.280 --> 00:10:57.300 the only sign 00:10:57.300 --> 00:10:58.680 given to this generation 00:10:58.680 --> 00:10:59.640 will actually be 00:10:59.640 --> 00:11:00.660 the sign of Jonah, 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:02.360 the one who went 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:03.000 into the belly 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:03.480 of the whale 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:04.280 for three days 00:11:04.280 --> 00:11:05.480 and then came out again. 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:08.560 And of this, 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:09.240 he was speaking 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:10.020 of his death 00:11:10.020 --> 00:11:10.940 and his resurrection. 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:12.960 The only sign 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:14.100 that Jesus will give 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:15.740 is this historical fact 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:17.039 that this man 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:18.080 who walked the earth 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:19.080 died, 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:19.980 was buried, 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:21.840 and then rose again 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:23.320 and appeared 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:24.360 to many. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:25.860 But recognize 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:27.560 that even that sign, 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:30.000 even the greatest sign, 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:32.820 does not compel belief. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.259 Because the kingdom 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:34.720 of God 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:35.980 does not come 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:38.279 with such power 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:39.139 that it would say, 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:40.799 you must believe this 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:42.379 or you are just stupid. 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.679 Right? 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:47.120 The gospel comes, 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:48.039 the kingdom of God 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:49.059 comes to this world 00:11:49.059 --> 00:11:50.480 and God gives us 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:52.059 many, many reasons 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:53.500 for us to believe. 00:11:53.960 --> 00:11:55.500 But it is not such 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:56.779 that it is intellectually 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:58.159 so compelling 00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:59.200 that all people 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:00.240 will resist it 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:01.639 or that all people 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:02.519 will believe it. 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:06.659 the kingdom of God 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:08.679 comes on its own terms 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:10.379 and gives its own evidence. 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:12.259 And so often, 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:13.600 like the Pharisees here, 00:12:13.699 --> 00:12:15.079 we set up our own terms 00:12:15.079 --> 00:12:15.659 and our own, 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:16.399 we like, 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:17.419 as C.S. Lewis says, 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.939 we put God on trial 00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:19.759 and say, 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:20.679 prove to me 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:22.120 according to my standards 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:22.759 of evidence 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.720 that you are 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:24.899 who you say you are. 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:28.620 Jesus comes 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:30.319 to call people 00:12:30.319 --> 00:12:31.039 to belief 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:31.840 and faith, 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:33.860 not irrational faith 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:34.980 that has no basis 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:36.379 nor is it purely 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:37.440 rational faith 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:38.300 that everyone 00:12:38.300 --> 00:12:39.940 who is normal thinking 00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:40.700 and logical 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:42.060 would have to believe 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:43.960 but a reasoned belief 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:44.899 that involves 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:45.500 trust 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:46.980 and surrender. 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:50.840 And so Jesus challenges 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:51.879 the Pharisees. 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.580 His deep sigh 00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:54.780 and his rejection 00:12:54.780 --> 00:12:55.940 of their challenge 00:12:55.940 --> 00:12:57.800 shows that he 00:12:57.800 --> 00:12:58.840 confronts 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:00.820 their spiritual blindness. 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:02.379 and in the end 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.020 he departs 00:13:03.020 --> 00:13:03.860 without responding 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:05.100 more to them. 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:07.040 Friends, 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:08.100 I wonder how much 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:09.640 we are like the Pharisees 00:13:09.640 --> 00:13:10.860 in our own hearts. 00:13:12.640 --> 00:13:13.879 I wonder how much 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:15.100 we think that Jesus 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:15.940 must answer 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.840 our questions 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:18.060 and must meet 00:13:18.060 --> 00:13:18.879 our standards 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.920 for us to believe 00:13:19.920 --> 00:13:20.960 and trust in him. 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:24.300 I wonder if we put him 00:13:24.300 --> 00:13:26.360 on experiential trial. 00:13:28.040 --> 00:13:28.480 Jesus, 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.360 I'll believe in you 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:30.019 if you'll do 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.620 what I want 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.639 in this circumstance 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:32.460 in the timing 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:33.360 that I want you 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.040 to respond 00:13:34.040 --> 00:13:34.980 to this. 00:13:37.300 --> 00:13:38.720 Do we bring conditions 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:41.100 to believing in Jesus? 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:41.440 Jesus, 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:42.320 I'll believe in you 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:43.240 if you 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:46.500 give me this job, 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.960 preserve this relationship, 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:50.639 relationship, 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:53.440 heal this sickness? 00:13:55.800 --> 00:13:56.860 Do we put Jesus 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:57.879 to the test 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:59.180 in our hearts 00:13:59.180 --> 00:13:59.560 saying, 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.480 if you do this, 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:01.820 Jesus, 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:03.720 then I will believe 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.139 in you. 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.080 Friends, 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:07.620 we ought not 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:08.580 to be unthinking, 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:11.800 but let us 00:14:11.800 --> 00:14:12.580 not be those 00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:13.680 whose hearts doubt 00:14:13.680 --> 00:14:15.360 and are full 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:16.320 of skepticism 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:18.600 and test the Lord 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:20.120 over and over again. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.200 Jesus then turns 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:23.780 from those 00:14:23.780 --> 00:14:25.160 outside of his circle, 00:14:25.640 --> 00:14:26.360 the Pharisees 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:27.100 and the Herodians, 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:28.140 to those 00:14:28.140 --> 00:14:29.240 inside his circle 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:30.080 in the next part 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:30.620 of this story. 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:32.140 Verses 14 and following, 00:14:32.520 --> 00:14:33.379 14 to 21, 00:14:33.520 --> 00:14:34.280 Jesus sets up 00:14:34.280 --> 00:14:35.540 a contrast 00:14:35.540 --> 00:14:36.340 between 00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:37.540 what Jesus 00:14:37.540 --> 00:14:38.379 is talking about 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:39.540 and what the disciples 00:14:39.540 --> 00:14:40.380 are talking about. 00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:41.220 So now he's talking 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.380 to his own people, 00:14:42.800 --> 00:14:43.060 right? 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:43.920 And they get in the boat 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:45.399 and Mark sets up 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.039 this contrast. 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:46.500 He says, 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.620 they got into the boat 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.279 and they didn't have 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:48.959 anything to eat. 00:14:49.099 --> 00:14:49.839 They had no bread. 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:51.419 And Jesus turns 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:52.099 to them and says, 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:53.479 I want to warn you 00:14:53.479 --> 00:14:54.479 about the leaven 00:14:54.479 --> 00:14:55.839 of the Pharisees. 00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:56.839 Now, leaven 00:14:56.839 --> 00:14:57.939 is not the same thing 00:14:57.939 --> 00:14:58.459 as yeast, 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:59.299 but it's similar. 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.599 Leaven would have been 00:15:00.599 --> 00:15:01.779 a portion 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:03.639 of last week's 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.519 bread dough 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.659 that had yeast 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:05.959 in it 00:15:05.959 --> 00:15:07.120 that would be preserved 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.759 and then mixed in 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:10.099 with new dough 00:15:10.099 --> 00:15:11.039 to give it, 00:15:11.719 --> 00:15:13.039 I'm sure someone's 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:13.620 a baker here 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:14.220 could explain this 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:15.000 far better than I could, 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:16.799 to affect it 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:17.560 so that it would 00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:19.060 then rise and grow 00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:19.879 just like, 00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:22.379 in the same way 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:23.279 that we use yeast 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.100 nowadays, right? 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:25.179 It becomes activated. 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:25.539 Anyway, 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.960 this is how it works. 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:28.779 So Jesus said, 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:29.560 beware 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:31.299 that the unbelief 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:32.500 and the skepticism 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:33.500 of the Pharisees 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:35.320 and Herod 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:37.220 is like a leaven. 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:38.700 It's going to work 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.600 its way in 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:42.000 and it's going 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:43.040 to corrupt you 00:15:43.040 --> 00:15:44.320 like a mold 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:46.120 or like a spiritual cancer 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:48.759 getting into our lives, 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:50.560 spreading unbelief 00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:51.540 and rebellious 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:54.200 testing spirits. 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:56.379 So Jesus says 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:57.420 to his disciples, 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:58.519 be careful 00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:59.399 of this attitude. 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:01.060 Look out for this. 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:02.700 And the disciples 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:04.240 completely missed 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.200 Jesus' point. 00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:07.180 Jesus mentioned leaven. 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.259 They think leaven 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.000 is what you do 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.759 to make bread. 00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:11.239 We don't have any bread. 00:16:11.479 --> 00:16:11.959 Oh no, 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:13.159 we don't have any bread. 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:13.979 I'm hungry. 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:14.979 What did we do? 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:15.979 They probably started 00:16:15.979 --> 00:16:16.699 pointing figures 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.259 at one another 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:18.120 knowing the disciples. 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:18.879 John, 00:16:18.959 --> 00:16:19.859 why didn't you bring the bread? 00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:20.679 I thought you were 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.479 going to bring the bread. 00:16:22.239 --> 00:16:22.479 Right? 00:16:25.079 --> 00:16:26.179 And so this is what 00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:27.879 then Jesus does, 00:16:28.819 --> 00:16:30.659 responds in verse 17 to 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.379 when he says, 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:33.979 what are you doing? 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:38.899 specifically, 00:16:39.239 --> 00:16:40.319 why are you discussing 00:16:40.319 --> 00:16:41.139 the fact that you 00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:42.279 have no bread? 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:45.899 He asked him a series 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:46.500 of questions. 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.559 Some of them are rhetorical. 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:48.079 Some of them, 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:49.559 all of them are poignant. 00:16:50.079 --> 00:16:51.199 Why are you discussing 00:16:51.199 --> 00:16:51.859 the fact that you 00:16:51.859 --> 00:16:52.459 have no bread? 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:53.659 That was not what 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:54.799 I was talking about at all. 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.879 I was talking about 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.019 the spiritual condition 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.620 of your heart. 00:16:58.439 --> 00:17:00.079 Do you not yet perceive 00:17:00.079 --> 00:17:01.179 or understand? 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:03.259 Are your hearts hardened? 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:04.559 Having eyes, 00:17:04.659 --> 00:17:05.519 do you not see? 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:06.460 And having ears, 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.900 do you not hear? 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.480 Don't you remember 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.700 what I've done? 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.400 When there were 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.640 5,000 people 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:14.620 who didn't have bread, 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.500 what did I do? 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.740 I provided bread. 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.440 When there were 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.500 4,000 people, 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.720 what did I do? 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:23.180 I provided bread. 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:25.579 Do you not yet understand? 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:28.340 Do you not yet understand 00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:29.340 who I am? 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.940 Notice the weave 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:32.340 that Jesus brings together 00:17:32.340 --> 00:17:33.600 as he's confronting 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:35.199 the spiritual blindness 00:17:35.199 --> 00:17:36.459 of the disciples. 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:37.679 He says, 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.719 you're distracted 00:17:38.719 --> 00:17:40.339 by practical needs. 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:42.419 Your hearts are hardened. 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.980 And what you can't, 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.359 what you're missing 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:47.240 in all of this 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.759 is that you are not 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.799 looking at me 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:51.000 and seeing me 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:52.439 for who I really am. 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.500 If you remembered 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:55.319 who I was, 00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:56.539 if you saw who I was, 00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:57.419 you wouldn't, 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.259 one, 00:17:58.379 --> 00:18:00.000 worry about physical bread 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.960 because you fed mobs, 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:04.140 you could feed the 12 of us, 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.039 but two, 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:05.920 know that 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:07.700 you're about something 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.460 much greater 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.880 than just physical food. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.859 You're about spiritual life. 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.220 Jesus says, 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:16.259 you don't understand 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.380 what I've come to do. 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:19.299 And in these phrases, 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.839 he's almost surely 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:21.619 picking up 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:22.680 on a concept 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.420 that we see 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.420 over and over again 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.480 in the Old Testament. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.460 James read 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.579 from Hebrews earlier 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.160 where the writer 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:28.820 of Hebrews 00:18:28.820 --> 00:18:29.860 refers to 00:18:29.860 --> 00:18:31.980 the nation of Israel 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:34.140 as they're leaving Egypt 00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:35.460 in the Exodus 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.240 and God does 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:38.259 miraculous signs 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.880 and wonders 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:40.040 to provide for them, 00:18:40.300 --> 00:18:41.360 to protect them, 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:42.759 and to deliver them. 00:18:43.100 --> 00:18:43.680 And yet they get 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.360 into the wilderness 00:18:44.360 --> 00:18:45.360 and what do they do? 00:18:45.600 --> 00:18:46.340 They grumble, 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.519 they complain, 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:49.300 they test God. 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.400 Years later, 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.519 after God brings 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:55.940 his people 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:56.860 into the promised land 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:57.559 as they dwell 00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:58.500 in the promised land, 00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.740 as God provides 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.099 for them 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:00.939 and protects them, 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.899 and then the people 00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:03.779 turn their hearts 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.679 away from him. 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.379 Jeremiah 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:08.939 preaches near the end 00:19:08.939 --> 00:19:11.259 of the northern kingdom 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:13.479 and to the southern kingdom 00:19:13.479 --> 00:19:14.559 in its weakness. 00:19:15.719 --> 00:19:18.659 Jeremiah 5, 21 and following, 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.179 he says this, 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:22.179 hear this, 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:24.000 O foolish and senseless people 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.299 who have eyes 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.480 but see not, 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.220 who have ears 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:29.700 but hear not. 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:31.980 Do you not fear me, 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:32.960 declares the Lord? 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:34.240 Do you not tremble 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.039 before me? 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:37.319 I placed the sand 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:38.279 as a boundary 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:38.960 for the sea, 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.299 a perpetual barrier 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.579 that it cannot pass. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:43.019 Though the waves toss, 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:43.940 they cannot prevail. 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.640 Though they roar, 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:46.039 they cannot pass over it. 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.559 But this people 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.480 has a stubborn 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.759 and rebellious heart. 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:51.799 They have turned aside 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:53.079 and gone away. 00:19:53.659 --> 00:19:54.700 They do not say 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.379 in their hearts, 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.960 let us fear the Lord our God 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:59.220 who gives the rain 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.079 in its season, 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:01.200 the autumn rain 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:02.139 and the spring rain, 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.639 and keeps for us 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:04.659 the weeks appointed 00:20:04.659 --> 00:20:05.619 for the harvest. 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.299 Your iniquities 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.599 have turned these away 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.859 and your sins 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:11.139 have kept good 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:12.599 from you. 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.399 When you look 00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:16.440 at the broader context 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.639 of what Jeremiah 00:20:17.639 --> 00:20:18.559 is bringing 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.359 as a charge 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:20.639 against the people 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.140 of God 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:21.840 who are not 00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:23.000 seeing God clearly, 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.259 one of the things 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.900 you see is that 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.960 they had two things 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.440 that they were 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.600 regularly turning 00:20:27.600 --> 00:20:28.700 away from God 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.840 to deal with 00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:30.940 their practical things. 00:20:31.060 --> 00:20:31.640 When they were 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:32.660 threatened politically, 00:20:33.040 --> 00:20:33.940 they would turn 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:35.360 to military alliances 00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:36.500 rather than trusting 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.120 in the Lord. 00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:38.900 And when they were 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:40.040 looking for provision 00:20:40.040 --> 00:20:41.140 rather than looking 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:41.900 to God, 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:43.000 they turned 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.460 to the local gods 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.440 who are a bit 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.540 like slot machines. 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.800 You put in your prayer, 00:20:48.120 --> 00:20:48.960 you get the harvest. 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.180 You put in the prayer, 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:51.279 you get a baby. 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.640 You put in the prayer, 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.799 you get rain 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.720 when you need it. 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.420 And rather than 00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.620 seeing God clearly 00:20:58.620 --> 00:20:59.380 and trusting him, 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.019 they turned 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:01.120 and met these 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:02.039 practical needs 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:03.220 in a different way. 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.240 And I think 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.039 this is why 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:07.019 Jesus reminds them, 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:10.240 don't be like 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.140 these generations. 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:12.400 Don't you see 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:13.120 what I've done? 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.240 I've fed 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.519 5,000 people. 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.220 I've fed 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.080 4,000 people. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:20.059 This is pure speculation, 00:21:20.379 --> 00:21:20.839 but I'm just going 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.500 to throw it out there. 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:22.720 Why 12 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.639 and why 7? 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.259 I don't think 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:25.039 we ever addressed it. 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.059 Maybe because 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.500 the feeding 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.559 of the 5,000 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.779 was to meet 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:30.039 the tribes of Israel, 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.779 12 symbolizing that, 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.659 and then the 7 00:21:32.659 --> 00:21:34.259 is expanding it 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.460 to all of creation. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.839 This is consistent 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:37.720 with what we said 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.579 about why Jesus, 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:39.819 say God is going 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.359 to provide 00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:41.439 for everyone 00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:42.839 in every need 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:44.259 and every condition. 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:46.740 and in the midst 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.099 of it, 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:48.660 the disciples 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:50.519 don't see them. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.660 They're distracted 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:53.779 by their physical, 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.900 practical needs, 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.200 and rather than 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:57.299 turning to him 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:57.960 in faith, 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.759 they turn away. 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:02.299 Friends, 00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:03.180 I wonder how much 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:03.980 we are like that 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.460 as well. 00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:06.900 In our personal lives, 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:08.039 do we pursue 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:09.619 the praise 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:11.680 of this world, 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:13.779 the achievement 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:16.380 or the satisfaction 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:17.279 that we get 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:17.880 in the pleasures 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.680 of this world 00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.700 more than Jesus 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.500 and his kingdom? 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:24.039 In our spiritual lives, 00:22:24.360 --> 00:22:25.160 do we fall 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.019 into the danger 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.860 of loving, 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:28.600 measurable success 00:22:28.600 --> 00:22:30.340 over faithfulness 00:22:30.340 --> 00:22:32.120 in the long run? 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:35.700 In our emotional lives, 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:38.140 do we trust more 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:39.140 in techniques 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:40.800 than we do 00:22:40.800 --> 00:22:42.240 in the grace 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:42.800 of Jesus? 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:45.000 In our political lives, 00:22:45.060 --> 00:22:46.020 do we choose 00:22:46.020 --> 00:22:47.300 the tools of power 00:22:47.300 --> 00:22:49.180 over the gospel 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.920 of grace? 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:53.080 In our social engagement, 00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:54.100 do we trust 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:56.020 in social engineering 00:22:56.020 --> 00:22:56.880 over prayer 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.480 and mercy? 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.360 Now look, 00:22:59.480 --> 00:22:59.740 friends, 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:01.540 I set these things up 00:23:01.540 --> 00:23:02.420 as dichotomies. 00:23:02.520 --> 00:23:03.860 They aren't dichotomies. 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.180 All of them, 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:07.460 there is common grace 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:09.559 good in all of the things 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.940 that I mentioned, 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:13.299 but at its heart, 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:14.700 what are we trusting in? 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.059 What are we looking at? 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.799 What are we really thinking 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.819 makes the difference? 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.519 Do we think 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.559 it's these things 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.680 or do we think 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:23.140 it's the grace of God 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:24.680 shown in the person 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:25.220 of Jesus? 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:27.180 Because that is what 00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:27.819 Jesus wants 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:29.079 the disciples to see. 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.059 That is what 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.279 Jesus wants us 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:31.940 to see. 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:36.559 He calls us 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.299 that our trust 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.039 would be truly 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.860 and ultimately 00:23:38.860 --> 00:23:40.960 in Him. 00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:44.460 Because this is 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:44.960 what Mark 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.779 is pointing to. 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:46.720 Mark puts 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.860 these stories together. 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:48.360 Look, 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:48.980 the gospels 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.720 are historical. 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.799 They record events. 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.860 But if you read them, 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:54.480 it's not rocket science 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.340 to see that they've 00:23:55.340 --> 00:23:56.680 arranged the stories 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.620 at times 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:58.799 in thematic ways. 00:23:58.880 --> 00:23:59.500 And I believe 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.160 that this is what 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.240 has happened here. 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:03.160 because we go 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:04.000 from this 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:05.160 spiritual blindness 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:06.839 to Jesus 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:08.160 healing a blind man. 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.299 Jesus and His kingdom 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.980 come 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:13.319 to restore 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.460 our spiritual vision. 00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:15.099 And this is what 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:16.160 we see in the last part 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:16.740 of our passage 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.220 this morning. 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:19.079 22 through 26. 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.779 It's a remarkable story. 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:22.500 Jesus comes, 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.039 they bring Him 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.819 a blind man 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:26.160 and His sight 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:27.019 is restored. 00:24:27.620 --> 00:24:28.299 I'm not going 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:29.000 to spend a lot 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.460 of time 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.339 repacking this 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:30.680 because 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.519 I would say 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:32.660 very similar things 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.820 to what Tom preached 00:24:33.820 --> 00:24:34.600 two weeks ago 00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:35.200 about Jesus 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.700 healing the deaf man. 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:37.960 Why does He touch him? 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:39.160 Why does He do it 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:40.700 in this particular way? 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.779 One of the big questions 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.279 in this is 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.860 why is it a two-step process? 00:24:44.320 --> 00:24:45.160 Why does He touch him 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.500 and then say, 00:24:45.580 --> 00:24:46.180 what do you see? 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.180 And then He says, 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:48.240 well, I see people 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.380 but they look like trees. 00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:50.860 And Jesus touches him again. 00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:51.880 And then 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:53.200 you see the fullness 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:54.640 of it in verse 25. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.100 Look with it. 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.500 Look with me at it, right? 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:59.759 Jesus laid His hands 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.920 on His eyes again 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:02.680 and He opened His eyes 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:04.720 and His sight was restored 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:06.859 and He saw everything clearly. 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:08.279 And it's most likely 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:10.400 this man was not born blind 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.859 because he wouldn't have known 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.759 what a tree looked like. 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.039 So He was actually 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:16.960 being restored to sight 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:18.440 having become blind 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.519 for some reason. 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:22.099 Why does Jesus do it 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:23.740 in a two-step process? 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:26.160 Well, there's a lot 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:27.339 of interesting speculation 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.940 in the commentaries about this. 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:31.099 But I think that the one 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:32.980 that best explains to me 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:35.700 is that Jesus is simply saying 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:37.980 that even coming to full vision 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.639 is a process. 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:42.200 That there is a progressive healing. 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:44.720 At times Jesus provides it 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.400 all at once. 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:47.559 But at times He leads people 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:49.859 in a progression of healing. 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.619 And that it's meant 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:53.139 to give hope to the disciples. 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:55.240 Even though I've just rebuked you 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.899 as being a blind person, 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:59.059 there is still hope for you. 00:25:59.419 --> 00:26:00.980 Your sight can be restored 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.919 just like this man's sight 00:26:02.919 --> 00:26:04.339 can be restored. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:08.240 For Jesus comes 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:11.859 as the one that the prophet Isaiah 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:14.819 points to in Isaiah 42.6. 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:17.139 God says this of Jesus, 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.179 I will give you 00:26:18.179 --> 00:26:19.740 as a covenant for the people, 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.539 a light for the nations 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:23.240 to open the eyes 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.399 that are blind 00:26:24.399 --> 00:26:25.700 to bring out 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:27.000 the prisoners 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.980 from the dungeon, 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.240 from the prison, 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:31.079 those who sit in darkness. 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.179 I am the Lord 00:26:32.179 --> 00:26:33.259 and that is my name. 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:34.359 My glory I give 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:35.359 to no other 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:36.539 nor my praise 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:38.079 to carved idols. 00:26:38.639 --> 00:26:39.119 Behold, 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.179 the former things 00:26:40.179 --> 00:26:41.119 have come to pass 00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:42.700 and new things 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.740 I now declare. 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:45.319 Before they spring forth, 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:47.140 I tell you of them. 00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:49.340 And Isaiah was looking ahead 00:26:49.340 --> 00:26:51.380 from 600 A.D. 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.640 or B.C. 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:54.240 about looking ahead 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:55.360 to the coming of Jesus 00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:55.860 and saying, 00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:57.360 this one will come 00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:58.400 and he will fulfill 00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:59.840 all of these promises. 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.259 He will come 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.400 to restore 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.819 our spiritual blindness. 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.299 And friends, 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.360 this is the testimony 00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:07.259 of the church 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.920 throughout the ages, 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.620 is it not? 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.779 When Jesus comes, 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:12.019 he opens our eyes 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:13.259 to see him. 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.639 He opens our eyes 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:15.839 to see the reality 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.660 of our sin 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.619 and our need 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:18.319 for forgiveness 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.200 and our inability 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:20.700 to do that on our own. 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:23.220 He comes 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.859 and he shows us 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:26.160 that he is the one 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.559 who is able 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:30.399 to forgive us 00:27:30.399 --> 00:27:32.000 and to deliver us 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.180 and to save us. 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:35.740 This is my story. 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:36.460 I grew up 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.759 going to church, 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:39.099 hearing of Jesus, 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.759 reading the Bible passages, 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:42.039 but it never made 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.980 any sense to me. 00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.759 It had no meaning 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.599 to me personally. 00:27:45.899 --> 00:27:46.720 I couldn't see 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:48.139 what the big deal was. 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.779 And then in God's grace, 00:27:50.879 --> 00:27:51.660 he brought people 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:52.660 into my life. 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:54.180 He brought the writings 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.119 of C.S. Lewis 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:56.899 and as I, 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.279 as these things 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:59.279 came together, 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.779 God graciously worked 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:02.200 and my eyes were open 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.720 and I saw Jesus 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.980 for the first time. 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:06.920 And I can remember back 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:09.019 to the summer of 1986 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.879 in those couple of weeks 00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:12.680 where I saw him clearly 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.759 and I understood 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.680 who he was 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.960 and what he had come for 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:17.720 and I knew I had a choice. 00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:19.279 I could harden my heart 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:21.379 and turn away from him 00:28:21.379 --> 00:28:22.960 and do it on my own 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:24.759 or I could bow my knee 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.759 and believe 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:27.680 and become a follower 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:28.359 of Jesus. 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:31.919 So John Newton 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:33.039 in his famous song 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:34.439 about amazing grace says, 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.000 I once was lost, 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.759 but now am found. 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:40.240 Was blind, 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.799 but now I see. 00:28:43.199 --> 00:28:43.579 Friends, 00:28:43.699 --> 00:28:44.679 this is the good news 00:28:44.679 --> 00:28:45.339 of the gospel 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:47.500 that though we are afflicted 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.619 by spiritual blindness 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.519 and though we, 00:28:49.939 --> 00:28:53.419 even though we would want 00:28:53.419 --> 00:28:54.179 to see Jesus, 00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:55.859 we struggle to see him, 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:57.059 yet he has come 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.500 to meet us in this 00:28:58.500 --> 00:29:00.399 to heal us 00:29:00.399 --> 00:29:02.259 of our spiritual blindness 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:04.740 and to restore our vision. 00:29:07.659 --> 00:29:08.679 First Corinthians, 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:09.859 Paul tells us 00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:10.859 that though we see 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:13.240 through a glass dimly now, 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:15.179 one day we will see him. 00:29:18.679 --> 00:29:20.240 One day we will see him 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.399 in all of his glory 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.740 and all of his splendor 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.899 and all of his majesty. 00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:26.560 we will see him face to face 00:29:26.560 --> 00:29:29.360 and we will have 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.160 no more questions. 00:29:31.560 --> 00:29:33.440 We will just be filled with joy 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.880 and we will bow down 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.320 and worship. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:39.560 This is what he calls us to now, 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:41.259 to turn towards him 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.460 with that hope 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:44.180 that that day could be ours. 00:29:44.340 --> 00:29:45.280 Let's pray together. 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:51.380 Lord, we pray this morning 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.740 that you would open our eyes 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.539 to see you. 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.599 Come and help us. 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:58.480 Lord, for we confess to you 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.220 that our hearts 00:29:59.220 --> 00:30:00.299 are often hardened 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:02.079 and Lord, 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.539 often we hold on 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.720 to things so tightly 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:07.120 that we make them conditions 00:30:07.120 --> 00:30:10.200 on how we would come to you 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:12.039 and when we would believe in you. 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:14.680 God, I pray that you would 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:16.539 humble us before your greatness. 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:20.119 show us our desperate need 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:21.440 for you, Lord, 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.779 to open our eyes 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:24.099 so that we can see you. 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:27.039 God, I pray for us 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:29.299 because we are so often 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.079 distracted. 00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:33.759 Distracted from seeing you 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.960 as you truly are. 00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:37.039 Lord, how often our eyes 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:38.619 are set on other things 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:41.159 for our present day 00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:43.639 well-being. 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:46.059 Lord, for our salvation even. 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:49.440 Lord, help us to see 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.480 that it is in you 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.319 and you alone 00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:54.399 that we find these things. 00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:57.099 Lord, for you are God 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:58.059 who restores sight 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:58.779 to the blind 00:30:58.779 --> 00:31:00.799 so that we might see you 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.759 and worship you. 00:31:03.179 --> 00:31:04.879 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.079 Amen. 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.220 Amen. 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:06.860 Amen. 00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:07.819 Amen. 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:08.579 Amen. 00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:09.279 Amen. 00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:10.779 Amen. 00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:11.839 Amen. 00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:12.759 Amen. 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.200 Amen. 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:15.039 Amen. 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:15.900 Amen. 00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:16.120 Amen. 00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:16.559 Amen. 00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:17.460 Amen. 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:18.460 Amen. 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.420 Amen. 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.460 Amen.