WEBVTT 00:00:00.540 --> 00:00:06.679 Thank you so much, Alice. With those verses open in front of you, I wonder if we could 00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:12.000 have a show of hands. Put your hands up if you made any New Year's resolutions. Okay, 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:16.160 there's more than just one. Come on, hands on the air if we made some New Year's resolutions. 00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:22.660 One person in this whole church made New Year's resolutions. Right, well, I was going to get 00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:26.980 you to turn to your neighbor and speak about your New Year's resolutions, but we'll just 00:00:26.980 --> 00:00:33.759 miss that one, shall we? Here are the top five New Year's resolutions that people in the UK made 00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:37.840 last year, and let's see, if you're not going to admit it publicly, let's see if these privately 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:42.939 resonate with us, okay? Top five New Year's resolutions that people made. Number one, 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:49.740 get into shape. Okay, anyone join the gym this year? Used to work with a guy called John in this 00:00:49.740 --> 00:00:55.939 church before me who joined the gym every January, and by every February, had given up. Nobody's 00:00:55.939 --> 00:01:02.019 joining the gym. What about number two? Eat healthier. Did Santa buy anyone a cookbook 00:01:02.019 --> 00:01:10.659 this year? Yes, one. I see one nod. Eat healthier. Two nods. Number three, travel more. Anyone got 00:01:10.659 --> 00:01:16.500 any exciting plans to go abroad or visit new places this year? It's in the calendar. One 00:01:16.500 --> 00:01:22.579 at the back. Excellent. Number four, spend more time with family. I guess that's maybe one for 00:01:22.579 --> 00:01:28.539 all of us, isn't it? Number five, learn a new skill. Anybody taking up a new hobby this year? 00:01:29.819 --> 00:01:35.099 New hobbies. Anybody wants to take them up? Nobody's taking up a new hobby. Well, we are flat 00:01:35.099 --> 00:01:41.239 this morning, I tell you. New Year's resolutions. If we're not going crazy for them, our world is going 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:45.780 crazy for them. Just think about the things that people, I just think of some of the things that 00:01:45.780 --> 00:01:49.700 people have told me that they're planning to do this year. But here's what I want to do. 00:01:49.700 --> 00:01:56.100 As you think about the plans that you have for this year, maybe not resolutions, but what are 00:01:56.100 --> 00:02:02.320 some of the things that you're hoping are going to happen this year? What goals and what ambitions 00:02:02.320 --> 00:02:09.900 do you have for 2018? Just with those in your mind, here's the question I want to ask you that I think 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:14.439 this passage is going to ask us this morning and God through his word would ask us this morning. 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:18.379 is, does Jesus feature in your plans? 00:02:20.539 --> 00:02:22.159 Does Jesus feature in your plans? 00:02:23.039 --> 00:02:25.419 Because this morning's message, it comes with a warning 00:02:25.419 --> 00:02:31.280 and it's that Jesus is, this morning, going to make a claim on our plans. 00:02:33.379 --> 00:02:34.759 And we're going to see him this morning 00:02:34.759 --> 00:02:37.060 demonstrate once again who he is 00:02:37.060 --> 00:02:39.840 and demonstrate once again what he's about. 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:43.539 And we're going to see him interact with some different people. 00:02:44.659 --> 00:02:47.379 And as he interacts with these different people, we'll see 00:02:47.379 --> 00:02:50.580 that these different people, as they consider their lives 00:02:50.580 --> 00:02:52.800 and as they consider their plans, 00:02:53.099 --> 00:02:56.640 they respond to Jesus in two very different ways. 00:02:57.599 --> 00:02:59.460 If you've got your Bibles there, we'll pick it up 00:02:59.460 --> 00:03:03.020 at verse 31 of chapter 18 of Luke's Gospel. 00:03:03.020 --> 00:03:10.200 And here is the first reaction to Jesus, verses 31 to 34. 00:03:11.260 --> 00:03:14.360 Jesus, your plan is not our plan. 00:03:15.580 --> 00:03:19.740 So here in Luke 18, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem 00:03:19.740 --> 00:03:24.640 and we pick up the narrative with Jesus taking his 12 disciples aside 00:03:24.640 --> 00:03:27.580 and he's taking them aside for a little pep talk. 00:03:27.580 --> 00:03:32.460 And he's telling them expressly for the third time in this Gospel, 00:03:33.480 --> 00:03:34.200 his plan. 00:03:35.640 --> 00:03:37.700 And you'll see the plan from verse 32. 00:03:39.200 --> 00:03:41.160 He'll be delivered over to the Gentiles. 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:44.700 So that word that just describes non-Jews. 00:03:45.640 --> 00:03:46.700 He will be mocked. 00:03:47.880 --> 00:03:49.160 He will be shamefully treated. 00:03:50.140 --> 00:03:51.700 He will be spat upon. 00:03:52.420 --> 00:03:53.740 He will be flogged. 00:03:54.180 --> 00:03:57.040 He will be killed and he will rise again. 00:03:57.039 --> 00:03:58.280 So that's the plan. 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:02.699 That's how it's going to go down in Jerusalem for Jesus. 00:04:04.039 --> 00:04:06.099 Now what kind of a plan is that, you might be asking? 00:04:07.259 --> 00:04:09.699 Let me just draw your attention to two words in these verses 00:04:09.699 --> 00:04:13.159 that hopefully are going to help us understand what is going on here. 00:04:13.219 --> 00:04:17.159 And here is the first words, verse 31, that Jesus uses. 00:04:18.159 --> 00:04:18.879 It is written. 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:22.779 You see the plan of what is going to happen in Jerusalem. 00:04:22.899 --> 00:04:25.800 It's not something that Jesus just concocted up in his own head. 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:29.000 This plan is no accident. 00:04:29.960 --> 00:04:34.360 This plan will not be the result of Jesus just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:39.620 This plan will not be the result of God dropping the ball. 00:04:39.620 --> 00:04:44.800 You see what Jesus is telling his disciples here and what Luke is conveying to his readers 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:50.000 is that this plan has been the plan all along. 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:56.720 In fact, the plan of the cross is the climax of the grand plan of redemption 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:59.439 hatched by God's grace in eternity past. 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:05.839 God's master plan to save and make a way for sinful men and women to be both forgiven 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:09.199 and to be reunited with the God who made them and loves them. 00:05:10.540 --> 00:05:16.379 And it's the plan that's been foretold by the Old Testament prophets down the ages. 00:05:17.659 --> 00:05:19.000 Now you can look these up in your own time. 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:23.839 Let me just draw your attention to two places that it talks about Jesus' suffering. 00:05:25.139 --> 00:05:25.920 Psalm 22. 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:31.100 David inferring that there would be one who would come after him, 00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:33.779 who would be the righteous sufferer par excellence, 00:05:34.899 --> 00:05:37.300 who will be mocked, who will be insulted, 00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:41.720 and who will be harmed, but who will lead God's people in praise of him. 00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:46.800 Isaiah 53, Isaiah speaking, foretelling of the suffering servant 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:50.480 who will bear the sins and the griefs of his people. 00:05:51.820 --> 00:05:54.020 And so here is Jesus declaring to his disciples 00:05:54.020 --> 00:05:59.140 that the Old Testament prophets all along have been looking forward to him 00:05:59.140 --> 00:06:03.740 and have been looking forward specifically to this moment. 00:06:05.660 --> 00:06:07.220 Now just take a step back. 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:08.740 Do you see what this is telling us? 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:14.000 That so powerful is our God 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:17.920 that history dances to his tune. 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:21.400 That so sovereign is our God 00:06:21.400 --> 00:06:24.439 that human events go down to the T 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:27.319 exactly as he planned them to go down. 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:30.600 And so wise is our God 00:06:30.600 --> 00:06:34.400 that his plan, his wise plan, 00:06:34.400 --> 00:06:38.699 it makes a mockery of all human wisdom. 00:06:38.740 --> 00:06:42.120 As somebody pointed out to me recently, 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:43.400 and I think this is pretty cool, 00:06:44.400 --> 00:06:46.060 that this year, 2018, 00:06:47.019 --> 00:06:49.759 Easter Sunday falls on the 1st of April. 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:54.800 So Easter Sunday is April Fool's Day. 00:06:55.400 --> 00:06:56.620 Now if you think about that, 00:06:57.420 --> 00:06:59.960 that is a beautiful irony. 00:07:01.100 --> 00:07:02.800 That so wise is our God 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:05.560 that even as the world looked at Jesus, 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:09.160 even as the world looked on the plan of the cross, 00:07:09.220 --> 00:07:10.420 and as the world laughed, 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:11.780 and as the world mocked, 00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:14.079 it's almost as if God on Easter Sunday, 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:15.480 he declares to the world, 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:18.379 with his son risen from the dead, 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:19.899 having paid for our sins, 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:21.459 having conquered the grave, 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:23.819 that who's the fool now? 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:27.220 Do you see, so wise is our God 00:07:27.220 --> 00:07:29.320 that even man's worst 00:07:29.320 --> 00:07:32.160 is nothing other than his best? 00:07:33.280 --> 00:07:34.160 That's the plan. 00:07:35.540 --> 00:07:36.440 It is written. 00:07:37.880 --> 00:07:38.980 And here's the second word, 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:40.680 the one that Luke uses to describe 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:42.540 how this plan, 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:44.360 how it goes down with the 12. 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:46.260 Verse 34, 00:07:47.260 --> 00:07:48.280 and it's the word hidden. 00:07:49.400 --> 00:07:51.580 Now if you quickly scan your eye over verse 34, 00:07:51.720 --> 00:07:52.460 you'll notice 00:07:52.459 --> 00:07:54.199 that Luke essentially says 00:07:54.199 --> 00:07:55.979 the same thing three times. 00:07:57.279 --> 00:07:57.439 Right? 00:07:57.599 --> 00:07:59.180 It's essentially the same thing three times. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:00.319 Now why has he done that? 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:03.539 Well he's done it to underscore his point. 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:04.500 Now what's his point? 00:08:05.359 --> 00:08:06.879 Well as we say in the West, 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:09.019 the disciples didn't have a scooby. 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:09.799 Right? 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:10.799 Didn't have a clue 00:08:10.799 --> 00:08:12.019 about what was going on here. 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:12.959 Didn't understand 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:14.359 what Jesus was talking about. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:16.019 And it's not as if Jesus 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:16.879 has sat them down 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:17.919 and he's told them a riddle. 00:08:18.419 --> 00:08:18.560 Okay? 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:19.599 It's not like you might have played 00:08:19.599 --> 00:08:20.099 at your Christmas. 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:21.139 It's not like charades. 00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:22.539 It's not like Jesus is playing charades 00:08:22.539 --> 00:08:23.339 acting this one out 00:08:23.339 --> 00:08:24.259 and they just cannot guess 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:25.199 what the answer is. 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:27.139 He's talking in plain language. 00:08:28.919 --> 00:08:29.800 It's not so much 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:30.959 that they can't understand 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:31.939 what Jesus is saying. 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:34.639 It's more so that they won't 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:35.580 buy into 00:08:35.580 --> 00:08:37.199 what Jesus is saying. 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:39.659 You can imagine their hearts, 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:40.480 their minds at this point. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:41.740 Why does this need to be 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:42.519 your plan, Jesus? 00:08:44.319 --> 00:08:45.879 Why does it need to be this way? 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:47.399 I mean we've seen you in action. 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:49.059 We've seen you in action. 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:50.819 Your life could be one of popularity. 00:08:51.699 --> 00:08:53.639 Your status could be one of celebrity. 00:08:54.039 --> 00:08:55.000 You could go down 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:56.220 in history 00:08:56.220 --> 00:08:58.259 as the one who has toppled the Romans 00:08:58.259 --> 00:08:59.299 and set his people free. 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:00.819 Why does it need to be 00:09:00.819 --> 00:09:01.919 like this? 00:09:02.779 --> 00:09:04.419 Your plans do not match up 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:05.419 with our understanding 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:06.759 of who this Messiah King 00:09:06.759 --> 00:09:07.340 is going to be. 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:08.439 Why does it need to be 00:09:08.439 --> 00:09:09.720 like this Jesus? 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:12.720 You're God's promised 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:14.139 mighty king. 00:09:14.559 --> 00:09:16.379 So why would you subject yourself 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:17.019 to everything 00:09:17.019 --> 00:09:18.080 that you've just told us? 00:09:18.080 --> 00:09:20.600 Here's what we need 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:21.240 to see here. 00:09:22.680 --> 00:09:23.500 It's just the third time 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:23.980 in this gospel 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:24.960 that Jesus has told them 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:25.800 this plainly. 00:09:26.840 --> 00:09:27.660 What's going on? 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:30.040 They're not thinking spiritually. 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:32.440 They're thinking worldly. 00:09:32.440 --> 00:09:35.580 Jesus, your plan 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:37.960 is not our plan. 00:09:39.560 --> 00:09:40.300 Let me ask you, 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:41.080 is that the confession 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:42.080 of your heart this morning? 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.520 As you think about 00:09:44.520 --> 00:09:45.400 your own plans. 00:09:46.280 --> 00:09:47.060 Jesus, your plan 00:09:47.060 --> 00:09:47.780 is not my plan. 00:09:47.779 --> 00:09:51.220 Maybe you're here this morning 00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:52.480 and you wouldn't call yourself 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:53.019 a Christian. 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:55.120 As you look at Jesus 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:55.879 in action here, 00:09:55.939 --> 00:09:56.439 let me ask you, 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:57.620 do you understand the plan? 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:01.600 Do you see the great love 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:02.839 that God has for you 00:10:02.839 --> 00:10:04.519 as one of his image bearers, 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:05.519 one of his precious 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:07.039 created beings 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:08.379 that drove Jesus 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:09.079 to this plan? 00:10:10.459 --> 00:10:11.899 Do you know 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:13.799 the depths of the sin 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:14.559 in your own heart 00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:15.039 that meant 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:16.480 that there was no other way 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:17.500 for you to be made right 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.399 with God 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:19.220 except the plan 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:19.920 for Jesus 00:10:19.920 --> 00:10:21.539 to die in your place 00:10:21.539 --> 00:10:22.399 for your sin? 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:25.420 Here is Jesus. 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:28.279 See in Jesus, 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:29.980 a man with a wonderfully 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:31.659 unexpected 00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:34.240 yet unparalleled plan. 00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:38.000 But I've been reflecting 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:39.019 on this plan this week 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:39.840 and here's what's 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:40.820 challenged me the most. 00:10:42.180 --> 00:10:43.240 I haven't 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:44.720 massively got issues 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:45.500 with the plan. 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:47.279 But I, 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:49.159 in my heart, 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:50.460 what I do have issues 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:51.779 with so often 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:53.120 is the pattern 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:54.860 that Jesus sets here. 00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:57.960 Because this cross-shaped man 00:10:57.960 --> 00:11:00.539 calls all who would 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:01.500 follow after him 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:03.960 to a cross-shaped life, 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:06.700 to a life of denying 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:07.840 ourselves, 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:10.180 to taking up our cross, 00:11:10.440 --> 00:11:11.840 and to following him. 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:12.840 You see, 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:13.159 Jesus, 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:13.899 the one worthy 00:11:13.899 --> 00:11:14.919 of creation's 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:15.899 eternal place, 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:17.159 he made his life 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:17.980 not about the pursuit 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:18.799 of his own glory. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:19.759 He made his life 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:20.360 about the pursuit 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:21.199 of God's glory. 00:11:22.059 --> 00:11:22.720 And so he calls 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:23.399 all who would follow 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:23.939 after him 00:11:23.939 --> 00:11:25.600 to the same pursuit. 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:28.279 And so I hear 00:11:28.279 --> 00:11:29.199 that call of Jesus. 00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:30.000 We've seen it time 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.500 and time again 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:30.939 as we're journeying 00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:31.659 through Luke's gospel. 00:11:31.819 --> 00:11:32.639 I hear that call. 00:11:33.340 --> 00:11:34.179 And the inclination 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:35.000 of my heart 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:35.500 is, 00:11:35.579 --> 00:11:35.799 Jesus, 00:11:35.959 --> 00:11:37.019 I don't want your plan. 00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:38.220 I want my plan. 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:41.019 And so I found myself 00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:41.919 again and again 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:43.000 and again this week 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.079 coming back 00:11:44.079 --> 00:11:44.980 to the words of that 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:47.360 old hymn that we sing 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:48.539 so often here. 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:51.159 Let me look at it. 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:53.559 Prone to wander. 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:54.179 Lord, 00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:54.860 I feel it. 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:56.699 I feel it. 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:57.600 Prone to wander, 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:57.860 Lord, 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.299 I feel it. 00:11:58.559 --> 00:11:59.340 Prone to leave 00:11:59.340 --> 00:12:00.500 the God that I love. 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:03.159 And so what's my prayer? 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:03.600 It's been, 00:12:03.819 --> 00:12:03.939 Lord, 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:04.799 here's my heart. 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:07.339 Take and seal it 00:12:07.339 --> 00:12:08.839 and seal it 00:12:08.839 --> 00:12:10.019 for your courts above. 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.319 The inclination 00:12:11.319 --> 00:12:12.199 of my heart 00:12:12.199 --> 00:12:13.379 is not that way, 00:12:13.439 --> 00:12:14.059 it's that way. 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:14.719 Lord, 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:15.399 would you help me? 00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:16.479 Lord, 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.079 would you help me? 00:12:17.939 --> 00:12:19.339 There's the first confession. 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:21.159 Jesus, 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:22.000 your plan 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:22.779 is not my plan. 00:12:24.099 --> 00:12:24.299 Well, 00:12:24.359 --> 00:12:25.039 from considering 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:25.639 some men 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:26.959 who can physically see 00:12:26.959 --> 00:12:28.759 but who can't 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:29.659 spiritually see, 00:12:30.459 --> 00:12:31.639 we move to consider 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:32.099 a man 00:12:32.099 --> 00:12:33.559 who can't physically see 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:35.919 but who can spiritually see. 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:37.899 All of a sudden now, 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:38.719 maybe we're beginning 00:12:38.719 --> 00:12:39.419 to understand 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:41.000 that Luke's put this 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.459 together with a purpose. 00:12:43.579 --> 00:12:44.519 Jesus and the twelve, 00:12:44.599 --> 00:12:44.819 you see, 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:45.959 they continue on their journey 00:12:45.959 --> 00:12:47.179 and we learn at verse 35 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:48.239 that they reach 00:12:48.239 --> 00:12:49.099 Jericho. 00:12:49.839 --> 00:12:51.079 So this little town 00:12:51.079 --> 00:12:51.679 that's located 00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:52.759 about 18 miles 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:53.819 east of Jerusalem 00:12:53.819 --> 00:12:55.479 and Jericho 00:12:55.479 --> 00:12:56.619 is a well-to-do 00:12:56.619 --> 00:12:57.379 kind of place. 00:12:58.339 --> 00:12:58.479 I mean, 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.259 if we were here, 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:00.179 we'd all want to live 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:00.639 in Jericho. 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:01.439 It's a well-to-do 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.119 kind of place 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:03.460 and it sits 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:04.759 on the travel route 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:05.519 that the pilgrims 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:05.919 would take 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:06.440 on their way 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:07.060 to Jerusalem. 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:08.399 So it's on the highway 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:10.340 and given that it was 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:11.320 part of Jewish law 00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:12.159 to give alms 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:13.100 to the less fortunate 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:13.820 of society, 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:14.779 it's little wonder 00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:15.720 that on this 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:17.080 travel way, 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:18.340 sitting by the roadside 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:18.740 begging, 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:20.399 is this blind man. 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:22.580 And what do we learn 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:23.120 about this man? 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:23.580 He's blind. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:26.000 And it's this man 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:26.580 that as we read 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:27.480 of him encountering 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:27.840 Jesus 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:29.159 at verses 35 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:29.879 to 43 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.779 who shows us 00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:31.980 a different reaction 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:33.039 to Jesus, 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:35.240 one that starkly contrasted 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.059 to that of the disciples 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:36.580 previous. 00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:37.299 And here it is 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:37.799 on the screen. 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:39.960 Jesus, 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:41.159 my plan 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:42.779 is your plan. 00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:45.740 So in the previous section 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:47.100 we considered two words. 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:49.100 In this little section 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:49.840 we're going to consider 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:50.720 two questions. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.639 Now here's the first question 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.639 in verse 36. 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.120 It's the one 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:55.899 that the blind man 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.820 asks to the crowd. 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:57.700 What does he ask? 00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:59.440 What is happening? 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.480 What is happening? 00:14:02.400 --> 00:14:03.400 Now Jesus is making 00:14:03.400 --> 00:14:04.280 his way into Jericho. 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:05.020 That's what's happening. 00:14:06.140 --> 00:14:06.780 And a crowd 00:14:06.780 --> 00:14:07.600 are rushing 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.280 to meet him. 00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:09.259 And clearly 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:10.300 somebody from this crowd 00:14:10.300 --> 00:14:11.620 reports to the blind man 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:13.580 that Jesus of Nazareth 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:15.080 is passing by. 00:14:16.300 --> 00:14:17.440 Now this is what 00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:18.300 happened to me this week. 00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:19.540 I read of this blind man 00:14:19.540 --> 00:14:20.360 and because I'm quite 00:14:20.360 --> 00:14:21.440 into soul music, 00:14:22.800 --> 00:14:23.379 two people 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.440 that I instantly 00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:24.920 thought of 00:14:24.920 --> 00:14:25.940 my favourite artists. 00:14:26.780 --> 00:14:27.440 Ray Charles, 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:28.440 anyone who loves 00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:28.920 Ray Charles? 00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:30.020 A few people. 00:14:30.420 --> 00:14:31.520 Blind from the age of seven. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.400 And Stevie Wonder, 00:14:33.920 --> 00:14:35.540 blind from birth. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.300 Now back in 2014 00:14:37.300 --> 00:14:38.080 there was a study 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:38.900 done by scientists 00:14:38.900 --> 00:14:39.640 in the US 00:14:39.640 --> 00:14:41.440 and it found 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:42.080 that when it came 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:43.020 to their music, 00:14:43.420 --> 00:14:44.759 actually their disability, 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:46.220 it enhanced 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:47.280 their music 00:14:47.280 --> 00:14:48.900 because it enhanced 00:14:48.900 --> 00:14:50.060 their sense of hearing. 00:14:50.800 --> 00:14:51.740 Now I've got no idea 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.920 how they found that out. 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:53.920 I've got no idea 00:14:53.920 --> 00:14:54.980 whether that or not 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:55.580 is the case 00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:56.140 for Ray Charles 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:56.799 and Stevie Wonder 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:57.899 but it certainly 00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.600 seems to be true 00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:59.179 for this man 00:14:59.179 --> 00:15:00.199 that we meet in Luke 18 00:15:00.199 --> 00:15:02.120 because he's not 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:02.840 seen Jesus, 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:05.139 he's not clapped eyes 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:05.620 on Jesus 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:07.139 but he's clearly 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:09.100 heard a lot about him. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:10.879 Let's try and get 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.699 into the narrative here, 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:12.240 into the picture, 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:12.960 picture him by the 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.519 side of the road. 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:15.019 If he has sat 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:16.220 by that spot every day 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:16.899 given that it's 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.519 a busy route, 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:18.919 he's clearly listened 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:20.100 and he's heard 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:20.939 a lot of people 00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:21.819 talking about Jesus. 00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:24.399 He's perhaps overheard 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:25.679 people waxing lyrical 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:26.399 about this man 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.199 from the north, 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.779 about how this man 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.279 from the north 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.159 is challenging 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:31.199 the religious elite, 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.860 about how he's 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.279 healing the unclean, 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.639 about how he's 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:37.779 associating with the lowly 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:38.439 and as he does 00:15:38.439 --> 00:15:38.959 those things 00:15:38.959 --> 00:15:39.659 how he's turning 00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:40.379 the whole region 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.340 upside down. 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.620 And you may have 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.980 even heard specifically 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:47.000 about the incident 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:48.220 at the synagogue 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:49.159 in Nazareth 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.019 that Luke describes 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:50.620 for us back 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:51.419 in chapter 4. 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.220 If you remember 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:53.980 you can check it out 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.680 later that Jesus 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:55.480 takes the scroll 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:56.080 of Isaiah 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:57.920 and he reads it 00:15:57.920 --> 00:15:58.480 in front of all 00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.000 the people 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:01.420 that the spirit 00:16:01.420 --> 00:16:01.980 of the Lord 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.660 is on me 00:16:02.660 --> 00:16:03.879 because he has 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.840 anointed me 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:06.560 to preach good news 00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:07.180 to the poor. 00:16:08.160 --> 00:16:09.580 He has sent me 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:10.759 to proclaim 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.620 freedom 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:12.759 for the prisoners 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:14.960 and recovery 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:15.740 of sight 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:17.500 for the blind. 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.840 Jesus rolls up 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.279 the scroll 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:21.620 and what does 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.560 he effectively say? 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.519 the Messiah figure 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:24.980 that Isaiah 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.700 is talking about 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:27.120 is me. 00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:29.259 I'm that guy. 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:32.200 Whatever this blind 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:32.899 man has heard 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.680 is evidently 00:16:34.680 --> 00:16:35.560 enough to convince 00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:36.420 him that Jesus 00:16:36.420 --> 00:16:37.600 is God's 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.420 promised 00:16:38.420 --> 00:16:39.440 saviour 00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:40.480 and God's 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.320 promised king. 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.540 And that explains 00:16:42.540 --> 00:16:43.500 I think his shout 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.440 at verse 38 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:44.899 Jesus 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.820 what does he call him? 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.340 Son of David. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.620 In other words 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.759 God's promised king 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.879 have mercy 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.200 on me. 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.039 Now he's clearly 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.600 I love this 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:55.960 he's clearly 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:56.700 making a scene 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.200 isn't he? 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.759 Because the crowd 00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.860 tell him to be 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.559 quiet. 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:01.539 I love this 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.240 what does he do? 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.240 Does he be quiet? 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:04.319 Not a chance. 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:07.079 He keeps at it 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:08.359 what does Luke tell us? 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:08.839 He shouted 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.779 all the more 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.319 which I think 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.079 is just a polite 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:11.759 way of saying 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.480 that he turned up 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:12.980 the volume 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:14.859 he kept on shouting. 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:17.160 I love this 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:17.619 you can imagine 00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:18.000 the crowd 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:18.900 looking at one another 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:19.360 would somebody 00:17:19.360 --> 00:17:20.000 just wrestle him 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.460 to the floor? 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:22.000 Or at least 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.440 would somebody 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:22.980 just get some 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.540 duct tape 00:17:23.540 --> 00:17:24.220 and just put it 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.800 over his mouth 00:17:24.800 --> 00:17:25.700 because quite frankly 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.360 he's embarrassing 00:17:26.360 --> 00:17:27.040 the lot of us 00:17:27.040 --> 00:17:27.740 but is this man 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.440 going to shut up? 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:29.780 Not a chance 00:17:29.780 --> 00:17:31.920 because the man 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.800 who he's been 00:17:32.800 --> 00:17:33.780 hoping to meet 00:17:33.780 --> 00:17:35.880 and the moment 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:36.360 that he's been 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:37.320 hoping would happen 00:17:37.320 --> 00:17:38.019 is here. 00:17:40.280 --> 00:17:40.640 And Jesus 00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:41.100 has clearly 00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:41.580 heard him. 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.280 Jesus is on 00:17:44.280 --> 00:17:44.860 his way through. 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.560 Remember Jesus 00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:47.259 has got the cross 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.300 eminently in his 00:17:48.300 --> 00:17:48.540 mind. 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:49.099 Is Jesus going 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.759 to ignore him? 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:50.879 No. 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:52.639 Now notice 00:17:52.639 --> 00:17:53.559 the compassion 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:55.039 of Jesus Christ 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.839 at this point. 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:57.980 He calls this man 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.759 over and here's 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.579 the second question 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:00.220 of these verses 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.839 this time 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.579 from Jesus 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:02.519 to the blind man 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.319 verse 41. 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.440 What do you 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:05.960 want me to do 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.399 for you? 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.839 Now is it just me 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:09.579 or is that a strange 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:10.079 question? 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:12.039 A strange question. 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:13.920 Is it not 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.680 kind of obvious? 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.139 You mean this man 00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:17.620 who's sitting 00:18:17.620 --> 00:18:18.660 by the roadside 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:19.200 with his eyes 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.520 closed? 00:18:19.600 --> 00:18:19.780 Jesus, 00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:20.220 you're asking 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.759 him what he 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.200 wants? 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:22.740 Now what is 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.360 Jesus up to 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:23.680 here? 00:18:25.060 --> 00:18:25.600 He's drawn 00:18:25.600 --> 00:18:26.200 this man out. 00:18:27.780 --> 00:18:28.600 He's testing 00:18:28.600 --> 00:18:29.280 if he really 00:18:29.280 --> 00:18:30.100 believes that 00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:30.940 Jesus is 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.020 who he says 00:18:32.020 --> 00:18:32.640 he is 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:33.620 or is he 00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:34.420 simpler using 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:34.960 words to 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:35.680 flatter Jesus 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.320 into getting 00:18:36.320 --> 00:18:36.900 him to help 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:37.120 him? 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.000 What do you 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.440 want me to do 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:39.820 for you? 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:42.300 It's kind of 00:18:42.300 --> 00:18:42.840 like that moment 00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:43.360 in Aladdin. 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:43.439 Aladdin. 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.839 You can tell 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:45.279 what we were 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:45.659 watching over 00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:46.279 Christmas time. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:48.479 Aladdin finds 00:18:48.479 --> 00:18:48.919 the lamp. 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.119 He rubs the 00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:50.419 lamp. 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.479 Now it comes 00:18:51.479 --> 00:18:52.039 the genie who 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:52.699 sings that song 00:18:52.699 --> 00:18:53.079 that I'd love 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.439 to tell you. 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:53.719 I don't know 00:18:53.719 --> 00:18:54.099 the words to 00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:54.519 but I do. 00:18:55.679 --> 00:18:56.399 Mr. Aladdin, 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.000 sir, what will 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.779 your pleasure be? 00:18:57.939 --> 00:18:58.419 This is this 00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:59.019 man's Aladdin 00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.599 moment, is it 00:18:59.599 --> 00:18:59.779 not? 00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:00.319 What Jesus 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:00.679 says, what 00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:00.939 do you want 00:19:00.939 --> 00:19:01.299 me to do 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:01.839 for you? 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:03.859 What will 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.240 he say? 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.179 Money? 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:08.399 Friends? 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:09.979 A home? 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:11.399 A career? 00:19:11.719 --> 00:19:12.219 A wife? 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:14.159 What would 00:19:14.159 --> 00:19:14.559 you say? 00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:19.159 Because you 00:19:19.159 --> 00:19:21.359 see, unlike 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.059 the disciples 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:22.500 who were 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.299 thinking worldly, 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:26.159 this man is 00:19:26.159 --> 00:19:26.939 thinking spiritually. 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:29.139 And he offers 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:29.759 Jesus the 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:31.139 briefest of 00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:32.939 answers, which 00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:33.439 I think is an 00:19:33.439 --> 00:19:34.059 indication of 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:34.519 the fact that 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:34.939 he's probably 00:19:34.939 --> 00:19:35.699 rehearsed this 00:19:35.699 --> 00:19:36.139 scene in his 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:36.740 mind before. 00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:37.639 Lord, in 00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:37.919 other words, 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:40.159 Master, I 00:19:40.159 --> 00:19:40.659 want to see. 00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:44.880 And the 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.580 truth is, 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:46.180 behind the 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:46.840 curtain of 00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:47.600 his confession 00:19:47.600 --> 00:19:49.259 is a heart 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:49.759 that says, 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:50.460 Jesus, I 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.000 don't want 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.920 things. 00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.140 Jesus, I 00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:53.580 don't need 00:19:53.580 --> 00:19:54.259 stuff. 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.400 What I need 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:55.840 most and 00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:56.320 what I want 00:19:56.320 --> 00:19:57.620 most is 00:19:57.620 --> 00:19:58.000 you. 00:20:01.340 --> 00:20:02.160 And Jesus, 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:02.860 seeing his 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.500 faith, he 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.360 heals this 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:04.700 man. 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.080 And the 00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:06.420 word is 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.140 suggestive there 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:07.519 of more than 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.080 just healing. 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:08.639 This man, 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.039 because of 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.639 his faith, 00:20:09.679 --> 00:20:09.960 has been 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.659 saved. 00:20:12.179 --> 00:20:12.480 And what 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.000 did he do? 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.740 He followed. 00:20:15.899 --> 00:20:16.399 So he 00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:17.259 made his 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.419 life all 00:20:18.419 --> 00:20:19.339 about Jesus. 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.199 He made 00:20:20.199 --> 00:20:21.199 the pattern 00:20:21.199 --> 00:20:21.639 of his 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.259 life cross 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:22.500 shape. 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.079 Jesus, where 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:23.720 you go, I'm 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:23.899 going. 00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:26.240 And you 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.659 see in the 00:20:26.659 --> 00:20:27.179 context of 00:20:27.179 --> 00:20:27.779 Luke's gospel 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.399 how this 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.759 man stands 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.399 in stark 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:32.059 contrast to 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:32.539 the rich 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.579 young ruler 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.759 who Luke 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.299 has told us 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:35.879 about only a 00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:36.359 few verses 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:37.000 previously. 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.639 The rich 00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:39.119 young ruler 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:39.500 who has 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.059 everything, 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.599 who comes 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.220 to Jesus, 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:43.879 Jesus tells 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.259 him, go and 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.720 sell everything 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.059 and follow 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.319 me. 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.500 He rejects 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:46.779 Jesus. 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:48.000 And this 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.379 man who 00:20:48.379 --> 00:20:49.000 worldly has 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.359 everything, 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.019 leaves spiritually 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.460 with nothing. 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.220 But this 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:54.059 blind man, 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.019 who knows 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.359 he has 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:56.679 nothing, 00:20:57.159 --> 00:20:57.460 who knows 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:57.839 he is 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.259 nothing, 00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.659 he comes 00:20:59.659 --> 00:21:00.339 to Jesus, 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.079 Jesus have 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.639 mercy on 00:21:01.639 --> 00:21:02.139 me, throws 00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:02.679 himself in 00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:03.059 the mercy 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:03.319 and the 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:03.659 grace of 00:21:03.659 --> 00:21:04.220 Jesus. 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.279 Puts 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:06.599 his faith 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:06.960 in Jesus, 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.559 he accepts 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:07.799 Jesus, 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.159 he's got 00:21:08.159 --> 00:21:08.579 everything. 00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:10.779 See, here 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.220 is Jesus, 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:11.619 the one 00:21:11.619 --> 00:21:11.879 who has 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.359 come to 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:12.839 reconnect 00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:14.599 human beings 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.240 to the 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:15.980 very reason 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.339 why they 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:16.779 were created 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.099 in the 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:17.779 first place. 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:18.839 And that's 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.359 to worship 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:20.639 God and 00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:21.319 enjoy him 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:21.639 forever. 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.419 This man 00:21:22.419 --> 00:21:23.559 has been 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:25.240 turned from 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:25.700 a beggar 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.099 into a 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.579 worshipper. 00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:29.379 It's a common 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.180 slogan in our 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:30.599 day, isn't 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:30.879 it, that 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.379 seeing is 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:31.799 believing. 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:34.359 To see, 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:34.819 Luke is 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.279 telling us 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.579 here that 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:35.819 when it 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.240 comes to 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:36.659 faith, 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:38.119 that 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:38.539 believing 00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:38.779 is 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.079 seeing. 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.399 Jesus, 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.119 my plan 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:43.480 is your 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:43.859 plan. 00:21:45.679 --> 00:21:46.179 So let 00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:46.460 me ask 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:46.700 you, just 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:47.099 as we work 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:47.539 towards a 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.000 close, what 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.240 are your 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.740 plans for 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.139 this year? 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.200 What are 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:51.759 your goals? 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:52.939 What are 00:21:52.939 --> 00:21:53.500 your ambitions 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.539 for 2018? 00:21:57.159 --> 00:21:57.439 You know, 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.159 last week we 00:21:58.159 --> 00:21:58.819 had some great 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.460 fun in the 00:21:59.460 --> 00:21:59.740 snow. 00:22:00.939 --> 00:22:01.619 I say we, 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:02.199 I had some 00:22:02.199 --> 00:22:02.719 great fun in 00:22:02.719 --> 00:22:03.059 the snow. 00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:04.779 We were 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.219 staying at my 00:22:05.219 --> 00:22:05.539 parents' 00:22:05.639 --> 00:22:05.859 through in 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.339 Glasgow and 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:06.779 we woke up 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.259 on Saturday 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:07.659 morning. 00:22:07.739 --> 00:22:07.899 If you 00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:08.459 remember last 00:22:08.459 --> 00:22:08.779 Saturday 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:10.099 morning, it 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.719 just snowed. 00:22:11.439 --> 00:22:12.219 So we 00:22:12.219 --> 00:22:13.639 got up, went 00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:14.019 out to the 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:15.000 garden, pristinely 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.519 covered in 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.219 untouched snow. 00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:16.879 I mean, honestly, 00:22:16.959 --> 00:22:17.319 I felt about 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.839 five again. 00:22:17.939 --> 00:22:18.139 This was 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.539 incredible. 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.119 So the four 00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:20.679 of us go out 00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:21.139 and we start 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:21.799 building and 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.519 I'm one of 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.159 these people 00:22:23.159 --> 00:22:23.559 that when I 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:23.979 commit to 00:22:23.979 --> 00:22:24.399 something, I 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:24.799 really commit 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.319 to something. 00:22:26.219 --> 00:22:26.579 So I'm 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.339 showing our 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:27.759 little girl 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.259 Chloe how 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.699 to roll up 00:22:28.699 --> 00:22:29.000 snow. 00:22:29.639 --> 00:22:29.959 And I'm 00:22:29.959 --> 00:22:30.459 rolling up the 00:22:30.459 --> 00:22:30.779 snow and 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.180 she's away 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:32.099 getting acorns 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:32.559 for the 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.399 snowman's 00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:34.259 buttons and 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.740 his eyes. 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:36.500 And so I'm 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.000 rolling up the 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:37.619 snow and I'm 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:38.339 compacting it 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:39.019 really tightly 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.579 so that it's 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.559 going to last. 00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:42.299 I am shaping 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.299 it in a way 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.059 that's meaning 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.599 that the wind 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.039 is not going 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.579 to batter it 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:45.759 down. 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.440 I really need 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:46.779 to get out 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.160 more, don't 00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:47.299 I? 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.279 But this is 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:48.500 what I'm 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:48.879 doing to 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:49.899 this snowman. 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:51.720 And then it 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.639 suddenly occurs 00:22:52.639 --> 00:22:53.720 to me that 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:54.139 why would we 00:22:54.139 --> 00:22:54.660 stop at one 00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:55.119 snowman? 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.940 Why can't we 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.440 build a snow 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:57.879 family? 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:00.019 So, do you 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.279 want to see 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.539 our snow 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:00.920 family? 00:23:03.159 --> 00:23:03.680 Okay, not 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:03.940 that one. 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.599 That one. 00:23:04.899 --> 00:23:05.299 There we go. 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:06.700 Now look at it, 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.159 isn't it lovely? 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.279 You even get 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:08.639 hats. 00:23:10.399 --> 00:23:11.059 It's not very 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.599 that impressive 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:11.980 is it? 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.359 Really. 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:14.039 But what 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.579 happens that 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:14.879 night? 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:17.460 Tips it 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:17.680 down. 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.460 Tons and 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.099 tons of 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.339 rain. 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.759 We wake up 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.079 the next 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:22.480 morning, do 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:22.559 you know what 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:22.879 my first 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.359 thought is? 00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:24.279 What's 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.819 happened to 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.099 my snow 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:25.440 family? 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:26.859 What's 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:27.319 happened to 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.659 my snow 00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:27.980 family? 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.680 And actually 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.740 those three 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.500 snow people 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:33.000 have turned 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.380 to three 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:34.099 snow lumps. 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:35.400 Now give it 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.079 another 24 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:36.700 hours, give it 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.220 another bit 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.759 of rain and 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.360 those three 00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:39.079 snow lumps 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.839 totally 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.360 disappeared. 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.599 Now here's 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.380 where I want us 00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:44.000 to finish this 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.299 morning. 00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:46.200 When it comes 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:46.799 to our plans 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.259 for the year 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:47.900 ahead, here's 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.319 what God is 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:48.839 asking us from 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.360 his word this 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:49.640 morning. 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:51.620 As a 00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:53.300 community, as 00:23:53.300 --> 00:23:53.880 individuals, 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.240 friends, are we 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.140 investing ourselves 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:56.759 in things that 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.220 will be here 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.259 today and 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.820 gone tomorrow? 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.140 Will we this 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:01.759 year invest 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:03.140 ourselves in 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:03.680 things that 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.940 will last for 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:05.759 eternity? 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:08.500 Will we be 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.020 those like 00:24:09.020 --> 00:24:09.600 this blind 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:10.460 man who 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.080 don't think 00:24:11.080 --> 00:24:11.860 worldly, who 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.700 think spiritually? 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:13.540 Will we be 00:24:13.540 --> 00:24:14.460 people who 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.740 put it all 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.860 on Jesus 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.300 Christ? 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:17.800 Will our 00:24:17.800 --> 00:24:18.420 plans for the 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.080 year ahead be 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:19.899 cross-shaped? 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:20.980 Will our 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.960 ambitions for 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:22.559 the year ahead 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.159 be kingdom 00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:23.559 driven? 00:24:24.679 --> 00:24:25.079 And will our 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.659 plans for the 00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:26.159 year ahead, 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.619 will they be 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.960 God's glorifying? 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.480 So just as we 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.119 close, let me 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:32.699 just read to 00:24:32.699 --> 00:24:33.179 you the words 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:33.980 of this 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.619 lovely poem 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.399 by C.T. 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:35.939 Studs, who 00:24:35.939 --> 00:24:36.559 was a famous 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.439 English cricketer 00:24:37.439 --> 00:24:38.159 turned missionary. 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:39.000 He wrote this 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.839 about his 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.359 life. 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.119 Two little 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:44.099 lines I heard 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.699 one day, 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.559 traveling along 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.339 life's busy 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:47.699 way, 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:48.940 bringing 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:50.080 conviction to 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:50.840 my heart 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.779 and from 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.580 my mind 00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:53.160 would not 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:53.620 depart. 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.840 Only one 00:24:55.840 --> 00:24:57.059 life will 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:57.680 soon be 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.180 passed. 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.120 Only what's 00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:00.539 done for 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.759 Christ will 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.680 last. 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:04.860 Amen. 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.880 Just before we 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.259 move on, 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:07.519 why don't we 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:07.900 just have a 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:08.240 moment of 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.720 silence? 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.380 Well, let's 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:10.680 just maybe 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.400 reflect on 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:11.779 what God 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.059 has been 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.440 challenging 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.480 us on 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.000 this morning. 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.059 Amen. 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.100 Amen. 00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:14.140 Amen. 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.160 Amen. 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:14.180 Amen. 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.200 Amen. 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.220 Amen. 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:14.240 Amen. 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.259 Amen. 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:14.279 Amen. 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.759 Amen. 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:14.819 Amen. 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:14.840 Amen. 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:19.799 Jesus, 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.319 all for 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:21.840 Jesus, 00:25:23.080 --> 00:25:23.840 all I 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:25.480 am and 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.900 have and 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.759 ever hope 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.220 to be. 00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:30.259 All my 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:30.920 ambitions, 00:25:32.080 --> 00:25:32.840 hopes and 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:33.460 plans, 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.100 I surrender 00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:36.880 these into 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:37.759 your hands. 00:25:40.840 --> 00:25:41.940 Dear Father, 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.840 thank you so 00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.519 much for this 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.360 new year, 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.200 fresh with 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:52.900 opportunities. Father, we're so aware as we step into this year that we do not know what's coming. 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:59.980 But Father, thank you that you who hold the world in your hands do. And so we ask that you would 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:08.460 help us all today to focus our hearts and our minds on the one who gave his life for us. 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:16.940 And would you help us this year to be people who are marked by the fact that we seek first your 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:21.860 kingdom. So Father, thank you for this time together. We pray that you'd be with us now as 00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:27.980 we move into this time of communion, as we remember your son. And we pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen.