WEBVTT 00:00:00.920 --> 00:00:04.259 If you would open up your Bibles to John chapter 9. 00:00:05.879 --> 00:00:09.460 It's on page 1064 of your pew Bible. 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:11.800 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.559 I see those hands. 00:00:33.340 --> 00:00:38.420 And as power to the tour, our guide brought us to the deepest part of the cave. 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:41.960 And up until this point, everything had been lit up by electrical lights. 00:00:42.620 --> 00:00:43.380 We could see everything. 00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:52.060 And as we got to the deepest part of the cave, our guide informed us that she will now turn off the lights. 00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:53.519 On a count of three. 00:00:53.659 --> 00:00:55.320 Three, two, one, lights out. 00:00:55.320 --> 00:01:00.659 It was the darkest dark I'd ever experienced. 00:01:00.899 --> 00:01:03.780 I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:06.960 And I felt my son draw close to me in the darkness. 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:14.980 Well, after what seemed like a long time, she turned the lights back on. 00:01:15.960 --> 00:01:16.780 And I could see. 00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:22.019 Light brought sight. 00:01:22.019 --> 00:01:28.920 Could you imagine living in a pitch black cave for most of your life? 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:32.439 Having never seen or known light? 00:01:32.979 --> 00:01:34.759 You'd figure your way out. 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:37.500 You'd learn how to grope around and get around the cave a little bit. 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:41.879 Could you imagine being born blind? 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:47.079 Never in all of your life knowing light? 00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:50.980 Just living without sight? 00:01:52.299 --> 00:02:00.959 This morning as we look to John chapter 9, we're going to look at an account of a man born blind who Jesus gives physical sight. 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:05.879 And this is the sixth sign in the Gospel of John. 00:02:05.959 --> 00:02:08.939 There's seven signs and this is the sixth sign. 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:14.060 But this account is what's called a living parable. 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:15.960 A lived parable. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:19.159 You may have heard of the parable of the prodigal son. 00:02:20.099 --> 00:02:21.919 Jesus spoke those words. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:23.379 It was a verbal parable. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:25.539 This is a lived parable. 00:02:25.939 --> 00:02:27.719 And so what it's going to teach is this. 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:32.639 Just as this man needed physical sight to see, 00:02:32.639 --> 00:02:37.819 what it points to is our need for spiritual sight. 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:42.459 We've all been born into spiritual darkness wrought by our sin. 00:02:43.259 --> 00:02:46.019 We are all born spiritually blind. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:50.099 And Jesus is the light that brings us sight. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:53.919 To see things, the most important things. 00:02:54.279 --> 00:02:57.539 And so this lived parable has three different acts. 00:02:58.199 --> 00:03:00.519 Act 1, there's a healing. 00:03:00.520 --> 00:03:03.840 Act 2, there's interrogation. 00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:06.880 Act 3, there is a revealing. 00:03:07.260 --> 00:03:09.260 Jesus is the light that gives us sight. 00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:15.420 Now if you're a child in the room or maybe a grown child and you want to draw, 00:03:16.100 --> 00:03:18.660 draw me a picture in each of the acts. 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:22.219 I'll give you a heads up when we're going from one act to the other. 00:03:22.900 --> 00:03:23.740 But draw me a picture. 00:03:23.820 --> 00:03:24.680 I'd love to see it. 00:03:25.660 --> 00:03:27.520 So let's head to Act 1. 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:29.560 Oh, Act. 00:03:30.520 --> 00:03:31.180 Act 1. 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:32.520 The healing. 00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:34.960 And this is in verses 9 through 12. 00:03:35.860 --> 00:03:39.260 If you've seen a play before, you've seen a play. 00:03:39.379 --> 00:03:40.920 A play has multiple acts. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:43.760 And then within each act, there are multiple scenes. 00:03:44.140 --> 00:03:47.920 So it is with this chapter and this lived parable. 00:03:48.600 --> 00:03:52.140 And in this first act, there are two scenes. 00:03:52.660 --> 00:03:54.500 Scene 1 is verses 1 through 7. 00:03:54.580 --> 00:03:55.460 So let me read it for you. 00:03:55.460 --> 00:03:59.740 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 00:03:59.900 --> 00:04:03.100 And his disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned? 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:04.719 This man or his parents? 00:04:05.120 --> 00:04:06.460 That he was born blind. 00:04:06.800 --> 00:04:10.260 Jesus answered, it was not that this man sinned or his parents, 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:13.980 but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 00:04:13.979 --> 00:04:18.399 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:20.539 Night is coming when no one can work. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:24.240 As long as I'm in the world, I am the light of the world. 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:28.399 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with saliva. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:31.819 Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, 00:04:32.279 --> 00:04:35.339 Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, which means sent. 00:04:35.659 --> 00:04:39.259 So he went and washed and came back seeing. 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:40.299 So this is scene 1. 00:04:40.419 --> 00:04:45.859 Jesus and his disciples are walking along and his disciples raise a question. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:51.000 And that is the impetus that starts this lived parable out. 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:52.939 And here's the question. 00:04:53.620 --> 00:04:55.239 Well, it's actually assumption. 00:04:55.240 --> 00:05:03.720 They assume that this man who was born blind is blind because of his own personal sin 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:06.360 or his parents' personal sin. 00:05:06.720 --> 00:05:08.019 So that was the assumption. 00:05:08.540 --> 00:05:11.420 And it was the common misunderstanding of the day. 00:05:11.780 --> 00:05:16.199 That if you had suffering in your life, it was the result of your personal sin. 00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:18.879 And God was somehow punishing you for that. 00:05:19.139 --> 00:05:20.240 Some wrong you've done. 00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:22.980 And today there is very similar thinking. 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:23.460 Suffering. 00:05:24.460 --> 00:05:29.140 Suffering enters your life because God is, and you think God is somehow punishing me. 00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:35.560 If you remember, if you're familiar with the book of Job, Job's friends wanted to help Job 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:38.360 see why he was suffering. 00:05:38.520 --> 00:05:40.420 And they were saying, it's some sin that you did. 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:42.180 You need to confess it to the Lord. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:43.840 They were wrong. 00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:53.459 Another version of this is not thinking that your suffering is the result of God punishing 00:05:53.459 --> 00:05:54.279 you for your sin. 00:05:54.919 --> 00:06:00.019 It's you're questioning God's character when hardship enters your life. 00:06:00.019 --> 00:06:03.799 Because you're saying, I've done nothing wrong. 00:06:04.719 --> 00:06:08.339 Why is God causing me to suffer? 00:06:08.339 --> 00:06:14.819 However, both of these questions are bound up in this kind of misunderstood understanding 00:06:14.819 --> 00:06:17.659 of suffering and God's role in suffering. 00:06:18.099 --> 00:06:21.779 And it's in verses 3 through 5 that Jesus provides an alternative explanation. 00:06:24.179 --> 00:06:28.000 He doesn't deny that there are real consequences to our actions. 00:06:29.159 --> 00:06:31.339 We know Galatians 6 is in our Bibles. 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:32.519 You reap what you sow. 00:06:32.519 --> 00:06:38.000 So personal sin can lead to personal hardship, but not always. 00:06:39.620 --> 00:06:48.039 And so in verse 3, Jesus says this, it was not this man sinned or his parents, but the 00:06:48.039 --> 00:06:49.919 works of God might be displayed. 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:54.299 Jesus isn't saying that this man or his parents were sinless. 00:06:54.680 --> 00:07:00.359 What he's saying is that there wasn't a particular sin in this case that led to his blindness. 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:09.060 And the alternative is that Jesus is saying this man is experiencing blindness so that the 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:11.680 works of God might be displayed in him. 00:07:12.280 --> 00:07:15.100 There's a redemptive purpose to his suffering. 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:17.300 God is behind this. 00:07:18.080 --> 00:07:19.680 He's using it for his glory. 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:24.699 In verses 4 and 5, we see more of this purpose. 00:07:26.459 --> 00:07:32.759 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day, night is coming, when no one can work. 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:38.780 What Jesus is talking about is the labor that he was doing leading up to his death and that 00:07:38.780 --> 00:07:40.519 his disciples were a part of that. 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:44.420 And then verse 5, he starts talking about the works of God that are to be displayed. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:49.960 And that's where he links it to this claim, I am the light of the world. 00:07:50.780 --> 00:07:56.240 He's already referenced this in John 8, 12, where he says, I am the light of the world. 00:07:56.939 --> 00:08:02.340 Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:08:02.400 --> 00:08:07.379 That goes all the way back to John chapter 1, verses 4 and 5, where Jesus is the new creation 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:11.959 light, the new creation light that brings new creation life. 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:16.579 A life that shows up as new birth. 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:23.360 A life that shows up as springs of living water inside of you. 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:26.159 A new life that gives new sight. 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:42.300 A life that gives new life that gives new life that gives new life that gives new life that 00:08:42.300 --> 00:08:44.500 He spits on the ground. 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:48.320 He makes some saliva mud pie. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:53.080 And He smears it on the blind man's eye. 00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:56.820 There's been a lot of speculation as to what this mud pie was all about. 00:08:57.580 --> 00:08:58.480 I have a hunch. 00:08:59.700 --> 00:09:01.300 It's just speculation, though. 00:09:03.280 --> 00:09:11.980 As Adam came from the dust, so Jesus brings new creation healing from the dust. 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:19.720 He spits on the ground, smears it on the blind man's eyes, and He says, go wash in the pool 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:20.500 of Siloam. 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:22.519 And the pool of Siloam means sent. 00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:27.519 And what you're to think when you hear the word sent is that Jesus has been sent by God. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:36.519 So this blind man goes, washes, and he receives his sight. 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:38.639 He returns seeing. 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:40.379 And this is scene one. 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:43.899 It's setting up the lived parable. 00:09:44.860 --> 00:09:47.439 The healing itself is just the beginning of the story. 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:50.620 The beginning of the works of God to be displayed. 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:55.620 Jesus, at this point, leaves the scene. 00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:58.259 He'll come back later. 00:09:59.059 --> 00:09:59.580 Scene two. 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:06.500 In verses eight and nine, this formerly blind man comes back, and he comes back to his neighbors 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:09.720 and those who know him as a beggar because that's how he had to live at the time. 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:12.480 They're like, who is this guy? 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:16.700 Is this not the man who used to sit and beg? 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:17.360 Verse nine. 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:19.039 It is he, said some. 00:10:19.179 --> 00:10:20.720 Others, no, it's not him. 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:21.740 He just looks like him. 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:25.600 And the guy who was blind but now sees, he's like, it is me. 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:27.440 I am that guy. 00:10:28.540 --> 00:10:29.180 It's me. 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.040 Look what he does. 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:33.540 They say, then how were your eyes opened? 00:10:33.659 --> 00:10:34.980 And he just gives them the facts. 00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:42.920 The man called Jesus, made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, go to Siloam and wash. 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:46.120 So I went and washed and received my sight. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:50.540 He's just relaying the facts of how his life was changed. 00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:53.720 And they said to him, where is he? 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:54.700 And he said, I do not know. 00:10:55.600 --> 00:11:03.840 So this first act, scene one, starts with Jesus providing an alternative explanation of why there is suffering. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:08.759 That it can put God's glorious works on display. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:15.800 And then scene two, this formerly blind man shares the facts of how he is healed. 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:18.180 And then he does a little bit of a confession. 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:19.100 Did you guys notice? 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:21.580 The man called Jesus. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:28.000 He has a sense of who healed him. 00:11:28.440 --> 00:11:32.020 But he at this point have never laid physical eyes on him. 00:11:32.660 --> 00:11:35.700 Because Jesus said to go to the pool of Siloam. 00:11:35.780 --> 00:11:36.300 He did. 00:11:36.520 --> 00:11:38.379 But when he came back, Jesus wasn't there anymore. 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:39.340 He's never seen Jesus. 00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:50.120 What we're going to see is that his spiritual sight is going to eventually come into full clarity of Jesus. 00:11:50.660 --> 00:11:51.139 Act two. 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:53.060 Interrogations. 00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:55.340 There are three scenes in act two. 00:11:56.780 --> 00:11:59.080 And they're all interrogations. 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:07.420 They're interrogations from the Pharisees to people regarding the healing of this blind man. 00:12:07.419 --> 00:12:11.539 Scene one is verses 13 through 17. 00:12:11.939 --> 00:12:12.679 Read that with me. 00:12:13.099 --> 00:12:16.059 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:20.059 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 00:12:20.339 --> 00:12:23.479 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:27.620 And he said to them, he put mud on my eyes and I washed and I see. 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:32.559 Some of the Pharisees said, this man is not from God for he does not keep the Sabbath. 00:12:32.839 --> 00:12:35.980 But others said, how can a man who is a sinner do such things? 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:37.620 And there was a division among them. 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:44.039 So they said again to the blind man, what do you say about him since he has opened your eyes? 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:45.539 He said, he is a prophet. 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:52.639 The formerly blind man we see in this passage is now a seeing man. 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:55.100 There's something extraordinary that has happened. 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:58.940 And so he is brought to the Pharisees who are the religious leaders of the time. 00:12:58.940 --> 00:13:04.800 And what they are going to do is either give him the stamp of their approval or not. 00:13:07.160 --> 00:13:11.080 In verse 14 we learn that this healing took place on the Sabbath. 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:17.720 We've already encountered what happens when Jesus has healed somebody on the Sabbath. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.820 That was John 5 and the healing of the paralytic. 00:13:20.040 --> 00:13:27.160 And it was very upsetting to the Pharisees because the Pharisees thought that this was a major no-no. 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:34.079 The Pharisees wanted to keep the Sabbath, but they also wanted to keep their oral traditions around the Sabbath. 00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:41.219 They had the set of oral traditions that they had elevated to the same scale in importance of Scripture. 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:45.579 And these rules were governing how you observe the Sabbath. 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:49.419 And so when Jesus healed on the Sabbath, they thought he was breaking the Sabbath. 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:58.979 In verse 15, the Pharisees asked the formerly blind man how he received his sight. 00:13:59.319 --> 00:14:01.439 And again, he's just consistent. 00:14:03.199 --> 00:14:04.819 He put mud on my eyes. 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.219 I washed. 00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:06.879 I see. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:12.039 In verse 16, there's this disagreement that breaks out. 00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:20.299 Some of the Pharisees are saying that this is a blatant infraction of not keeping the Sabbath according to their oral traditions. 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:23.860 Therefore, this man is not from God. 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:30.199 Others are saying, how can a sinner do a sign like this? 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:32.579 Remember, this is the sixth sign. 00:14:32.719 --> 00:14:38.079 And it seems as though these Pharisees are already familiar with other signs that Jesus has done. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:49.020 And let me just remind you that all of these signs in the Gospel of John are designed to cause people to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, 00:14:49.560 --> 00:14:52.639 and that by believing, have eternal life in his name. 00:14:52.639 --> 00:15:01.559 So in verse 17, in their division, they ask this formerly blind man, 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.360 hey, what do you think? 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:11.840 I've got a picture I want to show you. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.080 Mary, would you show it? 00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:16.679 This is a device called a four-opter. 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:19.720 Has anybody put their face in a four-opter before? 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:21.559 Many of us have. 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:25.199 It's designed, it's uses with eye doctors. 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:28.259 And an eye doctor, put your face in that. 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:32.599 And he has you looking at the kind of letter list, the E. 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:38.799 And then you have gradually kind of letters and lines that are getting smaller and smaller. 00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:40.759 And then your face is in there. 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:44.019 And they're blocking one eye. 00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:45.599 And you're looking through one eye. 00:15:45.599 --> 00:15:49.459 And he starts, or she starts giving you different lens options. 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:53.360 They'll be like, okay, can you see clearer in this lens or this lens? 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:53.860 Click, click. 00:15:54.900 --> 00:15:55.660 The first lens. 00:15:56.580 --> 00:16:01.400 And then they'll show you kind of a next step. 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:04.300 They'll say, go to the next line down, which is clearer. 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.960 This lens or this lens? 00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:06.420 Click, click. 00:16:06.680 --> 00:16:07.379 Or the second lens. 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:13.960 And what is all aimed to do, this four-opter is designed to give you better clarity of sight. 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:21.279 That you see things with greater clarity so that you can have an accurate corrective lens. 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:28.339 And what we're going to see throughout this passage is that there's a four-opter work going on. 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:38.319 That this blind man who's been physically healed of his sight is now gaining clarity in his spiritual sight. 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:47.879 So in the first act, this former blind man says that the man Jesus did something. 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:52.919 And now, when he's asked, how do you make of this man? 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:54.779 What do you say that he is? 00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:55.720 What do you say about him? 00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:56.919 He says, he's a prophet. 00:16:57.980 --> 00:17:03.500 So he goes from calling Jesus just a man to now talking about him as a prophet. 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:10.319 Like Elijah or Elisha who healed people, who was uniquely sent by God. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:17.559 God, scene two, 18 through 23. 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:25.319 These Pharisees realize that they need to get more information. 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:28.799 You can see it in verse 18. 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:35.200 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind from birth and had received his sight. 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.579 So they called his parents in. 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.819 This is scene two. 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:42.119 The second interrogation is with this blind man's mom and dad. 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:47.220 And so what we have is the Pharisees ask them three questions. 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:49.619 You can see that in verse 19. 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:51.240 First question, is this your son? 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:53.759 Second question, who you say was born blind? 00:17:53.879 --> 00:17:55.039 Was he born blind from birth? 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:57.740 And third question, how then does he now see? 00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.980 And the parents answer each one. 00:18:01.419 --> 00:18:03.740 First answer, verse 20. 00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:04.919 We know that this is our son. 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:05.740 Yes, he's our son. 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:08.779 Second answer, and that he was born blind. 00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:09.660 Yes, he was born blind. 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:16.559 Third answer, but how he now sees, we do not know, nor do we know, who opened his eyes. 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.359 Ask him. 00:18:17.620 --> 00:18:18.440 He is of his age. 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.680 He will speak for himself. 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:26.319 Please do not talk to us about who may or may not have healed him. 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:28.299 It's like they're kind of taking the fifth. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:30.859 They're like, we don't want to talk about this. 00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:32.559 Yeah, he's our son. 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.199 He was born blind. 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:36.599 But as far as how he now sees, we have no idea. 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.199 That's a little weird. 00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:41.339 That's a little odd. 00:18:42.399 --> 00:18:43.859 Because certainly they would have known. 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:47.959 So why are they behaving this way? 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:54.719 Well, we have a little kind of parenthetical note from John, the writer of this gospel. 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:55.719 Verse 22. 00:18:55.720 --> 00:19:15.299 They don't want to come anywhere close to acknowledging that Jesus had a role in this man's receiving of his sight. 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:21.899 Because they wouldn't want to be confused for saying that he's the Christ, the Messiah, the King of Kings, the Son of Man. 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:27.159 You see what's going on here is called the fear of man. 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:34.460 And the fear of man is preventing these parents from even speaking the name of Jesus. 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:44.920 So that's why he says he is of age, ask him. 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:50.079 Their fear of man has blinded them. 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:55.700 And so we move on to another interrogation. 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:58.340 Scene 3, verses 24 through 34. 00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:03.240 The third interrogation is a re-interrogation of the blind man. 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.759 They call him back. 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.920 And they say in verse 24, 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:10.120 Give glory to God. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:12.079 We know that this man is a sinner. 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.500 It's a test. 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:21.420 They're saying, hey, you're either with us or against us. 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.440 Give glory to God. 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:26.319 Is this man a sinner? 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.380 Yes or no? 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:29.480 They're talking about Jesus. 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:31.500 This man, they don't even reference his name. 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:36.700 They're really putting him in a spot. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:43.279 In verse 25, we get a sense of the humility of this man. 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:46.339 In verse 25, he says this, 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:49.400 Whether he's a sinner, I do not know. 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:51.259 One thing I do know. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.920 That though I was blind, now I see. 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.700 Maybe you know the version. 00:20:57.580 --> 00:20:58.640 One thing I know. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:02.580 I was once blind, but now I see. 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:09.100 He's like, I'm just keeping to the facts. 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:15.400 I can't make a pronouncement as far as his sinful or sinless character, 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:20.100 but I can't deny the fact that I once was blind, but now I see. 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:27.460 26, the Pharisees circle back to how did this happen? 00:21:27.820 --> 00:21:29.480 How did he open your eyes? 00:21:30.280 --> 00:21:37.700 In verse 27, we start seeing something of interest from this formerly blind man. 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:41.220 I have told you already, and you would not listen. 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.319 It's a little bit of a confrontation. 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:45.759 Hey, I've already told you how he opened my eyes. 00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.759 That was interrogation one. 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.960 Why do you want to hear again? 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:53.580 Do you also want to become his disciple? 00:21:53.579 --> 00:22:03.659 Which says that this formerly blind man wants to become his disciple. 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.439 You too? 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:12.199 It's not clear if this is like genuine, do you want to become his disciple too? 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:14.559 Or it's more sarcastic. 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.919 What, do you want to become his disciple too? 00:22:18.659 --> 00:22:21.579 He's starting to smell the hypocrisy on the Pharisees. 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:26.480 That this is not some kind of objective questioning, trying to get the facts. 00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:28.939 They've already made a decision. 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:43.980 You see, the wise man, this blind man, has a clarifying view of who Jesus is. 00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:48.099 He's starting to see Jesus with greater clarity more and more. 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:50.659 And with that clarity comes conviction. 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:52.680 And with that conviction comes courage. 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.880 Even at cost. 00:22:57.540 --> 00:23:00.740 They revile him in verse 28. 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.860 They reviled him. 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:06.279 You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 00:23:06.840 --> 00:23:08.300 They're like, there's two ways here. 00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:13.120 We're disciples of Moses because Moses is better than Jesus. 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:14.000 You're Jesus. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:17.299 This guy who you want to be a disciple of. 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:21.839 Moses is better because God spoke to Moses. 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:24.480 But this guy, we don't even know where he's from. 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:34.539 To which the former blind man says, why, this is an amazing thing. 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:42.259 You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:42.920 You know what he's doing? 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:44.980 He's like, hey, I know what you're doing. 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:48.480 You're trying to make this an issue about origins, 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:53.920 but you cannot get around the fact that he opened my eyes. 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:58.440 It's tough to argue with a changed life. 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:01.620 Tough to argue with a changed life. 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:10.500 So this blind man sees these men for what they truly are. 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:15.539 They don't know what they're talking about. 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:19.199 In fact, if you go all the way back to John chapter 5, 00:24:19.739 --> 00:24:22.679 in 539, regarding Moses, 00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:26.079 Jesus has already spoken about his relationship to Moses. 00:24:26.719 --> 00:24:29.479 And Jesus says this, speaking to the Pharisees, 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:33.220 you search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:35.640 and it is they that bear witness about me. 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.900 That's a huge claim. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:41.420 And then in 45, 46, and 47, Jesus continues to say, 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:44.299 do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:48.740 There is one who accuses you, Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:54.940 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me. 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:58.339 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words? 00:24:58.339 --> 00:25:03.359 So Jesus has already answered the question, who's greater, he or Moses? 00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:06.359 Because Moses would say, Jesus is greater. 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:08.379 He's been writing about him. 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:13.019 So what we see going on here is extraordinary. 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:16.720 This man continues on to say, 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:20.259 we know that God does not listen to sinners, 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:22.779 but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:24.379 God listens to him. 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:27.400 Never since the world began has it been heard 00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:29.700 that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:34.259 There is no account in your Bible of a man born blind being healed. 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:40.460 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:45.980 That's where this blind man lands, formerly blind man. 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:57.620 He has moved from calling Jesus a man to a prophet 00:25:57.620 --> 00:26:02.779 to now one sent from God to do something 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:07.299 that there is absolutely no other record of in all of human history, 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:12.319 and that is a man born blind being given his sight. 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:18.500 There is this four-opter clicking of clarity going on. 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:24.899 These Pharisees then say to him, 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:27.619 you were born in utter sin and you would teach us. 00:26:29.379 --> 00:26:30.940 They're like, are you crazy? 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:33.779 You wicked man. 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.339 You would teach us? 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.879 This is the height of pride. 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:43.740 The blind man sees the spiritual reality of who Jesus is 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:46.040 and he proclaims the truth of it. 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:51.040 But these Pharisees who claim to be seeing the Scriptures 00:26:51.040 --> 00:26:56.020 are actually blind because they're denying Jesus. 00:26:59.840 --> 00:27:02.260 And they cast him out, out of the synagogue. 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:07.259 The very thing that his parents were deeply afraid of, 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:12.480 he steps right into because he's being consistent 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:14.160 with what he's saying about Jesus. 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:18.839 So act two are three interrogations, 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:22.420 and we see people who are spiritually blind, 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:25.940 whether it's these parents out of the fear of man 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:27.779 or the Pharisees themselves, 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:29.359 because they think that they're right. 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:31.119 But in their thinking of the right, 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:32.879 they deny who Jesus is. 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.519 And we all have this man 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:38.440 who was once blind, 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:40.980 but now is seeing, 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:44.920 and his spiritual sight is gaining clarity. 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:47.259 So that brings us to Act 3, 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.619 the revealing. 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:52.819 And there's two scenes in this. 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:57.659 I love verse 35. 00:27:59.659 --> 00:28:02.459 Jesus heard that they had cast him out 00:28:02.459 --> 00:28:04.459 and having found him. 00:28:06.179 --> 00:28:08.779 This man bore witness to Jesus. 00:28:09.399 --> 00:28:10.699 He suffers for it, 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:12.799 and Jesus finds him, 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.639 seeks him out. 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:17.860 He goes and is with him. 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:20.640 And he says to him, 00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:24.140 in verse 35, 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.900 do you believe in the Son of Man? 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:27.740 Now just note this. 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:31.180 Jesus now comes back into the story. 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.340 The last time we saw him 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:34.940 was actually we heard him, 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:36.480 in verse 7, 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:38.460 telling the blind man 00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:40.860 to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:42.060 And now he comes back. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.540 He's back on the scene. 00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:45.960 And the question that he's asking is, 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:48.299 do you believe in the Son of Man? 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.680 And if you're not familiar 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.579 with this title, 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.539 Son of Man, 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:55.339 it's a title from the Old Testament, 00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:56.519 from the book of Daniel. 00:28:57.159 --> 00:28:58.819 And let me just read you the passage 00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.619 that it comes from. 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:01.639 This is Daniel 7, 13-14. 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.240 And behold, 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:05.259 with the clouds of heaven 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.819 there came one like a Son of Man. 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:09.019 And he came to the Ancient of Days, 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:09.779 God the Father, 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:11.619 and was presented before him. 00:29:11.619 --> 00:29:13.019 And to him the Son of Man 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:15.139 was given dominion and glory 00:29:15.139 --> 00:29:15.979 and a kingdom 00:29:15.979 --> 00:29:17.839 that all peoples, nations, 00:29:17.919 --> 00:29:19.559 and languages should serve him. 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.719 His dominion, 00:29:20.939 --> 00:29:22.379 the Son of Man's dominion, 00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:25.859 is an everlasting dominion, 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:27.639 which shall not pass away 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:28.559 in his kingdom, 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:30.219 the Son of Man's kingdom, 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:32.879 one that shall not be destroyed. 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:35.280 Who has a kingdom? 00:29:36.080 --> 00:29:36.620 A king! 00:29:37.840 --> 00:29:39.360 The Son of Man is a king! 00:29:40.600 --> 00:29:41.740 A coming king! 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:43.480 The Christ, the Messiah, 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:45.140 the King of kings, 00:29:45.540 --> 00:29:46.540 the Lord of lords, 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:48.640 the Lord of all. 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:50.000 And so what Jesus is asking, 00:29:51.320 --> 00:29:51.980 and again, remember, 00:29:52.080 --> 00:29:53.600 this blind man doesn't recognize 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.740 who he's talking to. 00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:57.000 Do you believe 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:58.400 that the King of kings has come? 00:29:58.400 --> 00:30:00.960 Do you believe 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:02.380 that the Son of Man has arrived? 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:07.780 And in verse 36, 00:30:10.280 --> 00:30:12.920 the now-seeing blind man says, 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:15.360 Who is he, sir, kind fellow? 00:30:16.340 --> 00:30:17.680 Would you point him out to me? 00:30:19.580 --> 00:30:21.120 Would you show me where he is? 00:30:22.300 --> 00:30:24.120 Just so I can lay my eyes on him? 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.080 Just point him out. 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.780 Just point him out. 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:31.139 And then in verse 37, 00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:33.539 Jesus says to him, 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:36.740 You have seen him. 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:40.000 You have seen the Son of Man. 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:42.339 You have laid your eyes 00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:44.079 on the King of kings. 00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:50.480 It is he who is speaking to you. 00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:53.680 Do you know what Jesus is claiming? 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:56.799 To be the Son of Man. 00:30:58.060 --> 00:31:00.340 To be the Daniel 7, 13 and 14, 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.380 King of kings, 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.640 who will have this everlasting, 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.019 indestructible kingdom 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:05.180 from people, 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.100 composed of people 00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:07.380 from every tribe, tongue, and nation. 00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:11.440 This is a huge claim. 00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:15.140 And is he seeing this 00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:16.100 with his physical eyes 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:17.240 or with his spiritual eyes, 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.019 the eyes of his heart? 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:24.660 And verse 38 is the response. 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:29.940 It's such a poignant confession 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:31.319 of spiritual sight. 00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:34.059 Lord, I believe. 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:39.920 Son of Man, I believe. 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:43.059 Jesus, I believe it's you. 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:45.940 Jesus, I believe 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:47.659 that you are the King of kings. 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:56.259 Maybe better said, 00:31:57.119 --> 00:31:59.339 Lord, I see you. 00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:03.119 I see you for who you are. 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:07.799 I see you as the creator of all, 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.500 the sustainer of all, 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:11.220 and the savior of all, 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:12.220 and the judge of all. 00:32:13.059 --> 00:32:13.940 I see you, 00:32:14.679 --> 00:32:15.740 and I believe. 00:32:17.339 --> 00:32:19.279 It's a beautiful response. 00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:23.359 And what we now see 00:32:23.359 --> 00:32:24.839 is that this blind man 00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:27.980 who was given physical sight, 00:32:28.899 --> 00:32:30.240 now the foreopter 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:32.960 has brought full clarity 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:34.119 of spiritual sight. 00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:36.519 Lord, I believe. 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:38.000 I see you. 00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:39.059 And he falls down 00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:40.119 and worships Jesus. 00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:43.899 after he just got kicked out 00:32:43.899 --> 00:32:44.439 of the synagogue. 00:32:48.939 --> 00:32:50.500 This is the lived parable 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:54.299 of what happens. 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:56.419 Jesus is using this whole account 00:32:56.419 --> 00:32:58.219 to demonstrate to us 00:32:58.219 --> 00:33:01.679 that just as a physically blind man 00:33:01.679 --> 00:33:02.819 needs physical sight, 00:33:03.199 --> 00:33:04.859 spiritually blind men and women 00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:06.099 need spiritual sight. 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:08.119 And Jesus is the light 00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:10.559 that gives us sight. 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.839 It's a lived parable. 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:15.059 And what this man's faith 00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:15.679 evidences 00:33:15.679 --> 00:33:19.000 is that eternal life 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:20.199 had come to roost 00:33:20.199 --> 00:33:21.039 in his heart. 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:23.039 Scene two, 00:33:23.699 --> 00:33:25.379 Jesus of Act three, 00:33:26.599 --> 00:33:27.980 Jesus sums up 00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:28.980 this lived parable 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:30.660 and he ends 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.740 with a word of judgment. 00:33:33.860 --> 00:33:34.660 He says 00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:36.579 in verse 39, 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.620 For judgment I came 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:38.460 into this world 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:40.099 that those who do not see, 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.579 he's referring to 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.319 those who know 00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:43.579 that they're spiritually blind, 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.160 those who know 00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:46.400 they have a need for Jesus. 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:48.900 I came 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:50.380 into this world 00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:51.720 that those who do not see 00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:52.400 may see, 00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:53.740 may see me. 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:56.259 and that those 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.319 who do not see 00:33:57.319 --> 00:34:00.740 and those who see, 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:02.140 who think they see, 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:03.259 who think they know 00:34:03.259 --> 00:34:03.759 what's true, 00:34:03.880 --> 00:34:04.819 may become blind. 00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:07.400 It sounds a bit 00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:09.980 of like a riddle, 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.940 but he's just describing 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:13.019 two groups of people. 00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:15.920 Those who recognize 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:17.599 their need for Jesus 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.780 because of their sin 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:20.639 and they are given sight 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:22.639 and those who do not 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:23.639 recognize their need 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:24.159 for Jesus 00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:25.799 and they remain blind. 00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:28.440 Some Pharisees 00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:29.079 overhear 00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:30.239 what he says 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:32.239 in verse 40, 00:34:32.319 --> 00:34:33.000 they overhear it 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.920 in verse 41, 00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:36.379 Jesus explains it to them. 00:34:36.819 --> 00:34:37.219 They're like, 00:34:37.279 --> 00:34:38.639 are we this kind of blind? 00:34:38.759 --> 00:34:39.799 And Jesus says, 00:34:40.440 --> 00:34:41.079 if you knew 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:41.940 you were blind, 00:34:42.359 --> 00:34:44.019 you would come 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:45.159 to me for sight. 00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:48.039 And I'd give you 00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:48.639 eternal life, 00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:49.219 I'd forgive you 00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:49.980 of your sins, 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:51.119 you'd be part 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:52.639 of the family of God. 00:34:52.639 --> 00:34:52.679 God, 00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:55.759 but because you don't 00:34:55.759 --> 00:34:58.559 know that you're blind, 00:34:58.679 --> 00:34:59.859 that you think you see, 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:01.719 that means your sin remains. 00:35:02.440 --> 00:35:03.400 You're unforgiven. 00:35:03.779 --> 00:35:04.480 God's wrath 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.859 remains over your head, 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:06.819 John 3, 36. 00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:10.279 And so in this last act, 00:35:10.359 --> 00:35:11.379 there's this revealing 00:35:11.379 --> 00:35:13.019 and there's the confession 00:35:13.019 --> 00:35:13.900 of the blind man, 00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:14.839 Lord, I believe. 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:16.259 And then there's judgment 00:35:16.259 --> 00:35:17.779 on these Pharisees 00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:19.519 who are still blind. 00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:21.660 So three acts 00:35:21.660 --> 00:35:23.440 with multiple scenes 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:25.040 of a lived parable, 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.740 what's the point? 00:35:26.860 --> 00:35:27.440 It's what I've been 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:28.360 telling you all along. 00:35:29.120 --> 00:35:30.620 Just as the blind 00:35:30.620 --> 00:35:32.500 need physical sight, 00:35:32.840 --> 00:35:34.000 so those who are 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:35.380 spiritually blind 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:38.200 need spiritual sight, 00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:41.060 and Jesus is the light 00:35:41.060 --> 00:35:43.780 who gives spiritual sight. 00:35:43.780 --> 00:35:45.560 That's the point. 00:35:46.740 --> 00:35:47.519 It's a lived parable. 00:35:49.740 --> 00:35:50.960 So let's apply it. 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:55.639 This passage helps us 00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:57.599 to see with new eyes 00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:59.639 by the light of Jesus. 00:36:00.220 --> 00:36:01.300 Let me point to a few things 00:36:01.300 --> 00:36:02.460 that changes the way we see. 00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:04.559 It changes the way 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:05.360 that we see suffering. 00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:07.920 We see it in the new light 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:08.360 of Jesus. 00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:10.059 Not all suffering 00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.920 and hardship 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:11.920 is the result 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:13.079 of personal sin. 00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:14.039 Much is, 00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:15.119 but not all of it. 00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:18.220 God uses suffering 00:36:18.220 --> 00:36:20.440 for his redemptive purposes 00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:21.760 to display 00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:22.920 his glorious works. 00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:24.420 God is able to do that. 00:36:25.240 --> 00:36:25.960 This act one, 00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:26.639 scene one. 00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:27.820 Do you know what? 00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:28.460 If you're a Christian 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:28.920 in the room, 00:36:29.740 --> 00:36:30.320 do you know what you can 00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:31.200 be confident of? 00:36:31.840 --> 00:36:33.039 That God is working out 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:33.960 all things 00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.940 for your good. 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.840 All things 00:36:36.840 --> 00:36:37.840 for your good. 00:36:38.720 --> 00:36:40.460 Even your messes 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:41.240 that you make, 00:36:41.720 --> 00:36:43.099 God can unmess them 00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:43.960 for his glory. 00:36:44.920 --> 00:36:46.340 It is such good news. 00:36:46.340 --> 00:36:50.059 So we see suffering 00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:50.700 in a new light. 00:36:51.140 --> 00:36:52.059 Generally speaking, 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:54.360 but we also see 00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:56.039 a certain kind of suffering 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.680 in a new light. 00:36:58.240 --> 00:36:59.320 This blind man 00:36:59.320 --> 00:37:00.019 was cast out 00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:00.559 of the synagogue 00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:02.000 for identifying with Jesus. 00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:04.800 It cost him 00:37:04.800 --> 00:37:06.880 because he witnessed 00:37:06.880 --> 00:37:07.640 to the truth. 00:37:09.600 --> 00:37:10.539 If you're going to witness 00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:11.440 to the truth of Jesus 00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:12.019 because your eyes 00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:13.660 have been opened up, 00:37:13.659 --> 00:37:14.920 it's going to cost you. 00:37:16.119 --> 00:37:17.920 Jesus makes no apology 00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:18.420 for that. 00:37:19.619 --> 00:37:20.799 But you know what he does? 00:37:21.819 --> 00:37:23.440 He comes and finds us. 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:26.159 He's with us in that. 00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:27.980 He doesn't leave us 00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:28.839 alone in that. 00:37:29.899 --> 00:37:30.819 It evidences that 00:37:30.819 --> 00:37:31.819 we're his followers, 00:37:32.039 --> 00:37:33.119 that we're legit. 00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:37.759 It changes the way 00:37:37.759 --> 00:37:38.539 that we think about 00:37:38.539 --> 00:37:40.039 not just suffering 00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:40.619 in general, 00:37:40.819 --> 00:37:42.659 but suffering specific 00:37:42.659 --> 00:37:43.239 to Jesus. 00:37:43.659 --> 00:37:45.539 Don't fear that. 00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:47.799 It will cost us. 00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:50.339 There's another area, 00:37:50.779 --> 00:37:51.980 speaking of witnessing, 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:56.739 this Jesus 00:37:56.739 --> 00:37:58.039 being the light 00:37:58.039 --> 00:37:58.699 of the world 00:37:58.699 --> 00:38:00.899 helps us to see witnessing 00:38:00.899 --> 00:38:02.000 in a new light. 00:38:03.299 --> 00:38:04.399 We saw it. 00:38:05.259 --> 00:38:06.759 We saw it 00:38:06.759 --> 00:38:08.899 in this blind man. 00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:13.400 He went from calling 00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:14.039 Jesus 00:38:14.039 --> 00:38:15.980 the man Jesus 00:38:15.980 --> 00:38:17.160 to a prophet 00:38:17.160 --> 00:38:18.980 to one 00:38:18.980 --> 00:38:20.059 who is from God 00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:21.579 to confessing him 00:38:21.579 --> 00:38:22.780 as the son of man. 00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:24.600 And with each step 00:38:24.600 --> 00:38:25.280 of the way, 00:38:25.780 --> 00:38:27.320 with clarity 00:38:27.320 --> 00:38:28.740 of who Jesus is 00:38:28.740 --> 00:38:30.000 was a deepening 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:30.680 conviction 00:38:30.680 --> 00:38:31.960 on who Jesus is 00:38:31.960 --> 00:38:33.060 which resulted 00:38:33.060 --> 00:38:33.720 in a greater 00:38:33.720 --> 00:38:34.560 courage 00:38:34.560 --> 00:38:35.820 of proclaiming 00:38:35.820 --> 00:38:37.080 who Jesus is. 00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:38.380 Do you see how that works? 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:39.260 Clarity, 00:38:39.840 --> 00:38:40.300 conviction, 00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:41.420 courage. 00:38:42.720 --> 00:38:43.800 It'll cost you. 00:38:46.400 --> 00:38:47.080 Clarity, 00:38:47.900 --> 00:38:48.340 conviction, 00:38:48.600 --> 00:38:48.880 courage. 00:38:48.880 --> 00:38:49.559 are you afraid 00:38:49.559 --> 00:38:50.260 to share your faith? 00:38:52.079 --> 00:38:52.680 You afraid 00:38:52.680 --> 00:38:53.800 to witness to Christ? 00:38:54.260 --> 00:38:54.640 Do you know it? 00:38:55.140 --> 00:38:55.700 Do you know what you need? 00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.240 You don't need 00:38:57.240 --> 00:38:57.760 to turn on 00:38:57.760 --> 00:38:58.420 eye of the tiger 00:38:58.420 --> 00:38:59.140 before you go out 00:38:59.140 --> 00:38:59.800 and share your faith. 00:39:02.099 --> 00:39:03.039 What you need 00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:06.079 is a more glorious 00:39:06.079 --> 00:39:07.019 vision of Jesus. 00:39:09.400 --> 00:39:10.599 The greater clarity 00:39:10.599 --> 00:39:11.660 you have on him, 00:39:11.880 --> 00:39:13.119 the greater treasure 00:39:13.119 --> 00:39:14.000 you will see him 00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:15.099 for what he is 00:39:15.099 --> 00:39:16.440 and you will talk 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:17.139 about your treasure. 00:39:19.539 --> 00:39:20.500 So we learn 00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:21.219 something from 00:39:21.219 --> 00:39:22.380 this blind man 00:39:22.380 --> 00:39:23.279 in terms of 00:39:23.279 --> 00:39:25.539 speaking courageously 00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:27.639 but we also 00:39:27.639 --> 00:39:28.279 learn something 00:39:28.279 --> 00:39:29.000 about witnessing 00:39:29.000 --> 00:39:30.139 in this sense. 00:39:32.719 --> 00:39:33.679 Jesus is the 00:39:33.679 --> 00:39:34.420 light of the world. 00:39:36.360 --> 00:39:37.440 It's Jesus 00:39:37.440 --> 00:39:39.339 who gives sight. 00:39:41.019 --> 00:39:41.719 Not me, 00:39:41.799 --> 00:39:42.159 not you. 00:39:44.099 --> 00:39:44.360 Do you know 00:39:44.360 --> 00:39:44.819 what that does? 00:39:45.099 --> 00:39:48.199 That gives you 00:39:48.199 --> 00:39:48.839 confidence. 00:39:50.339 --> 00:39:51.440 That translates 00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:53.319 into courage. 00:39:54.339 --> 00:39:54.759 That means 00:39:54.759 --> 00:39:55.420 I can speak 00:39:55.420 --> 00:39:55.880 to others 00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:56.719 about Jesus 00:39:56.719 --> 00:39:57.819 and their 00:39:57.819 --> 00:39:59.139 coming to Christ 00:39:59.139 --> 00:40:00.219 doesn't 00:40:00.219 --> 00:40:01.500 ride 00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:03.099 on my witness. 00:40:04.239 --> 00:40:05.039 Jesus is going 00:40:05.039 --> 00:40:05.719 to give them 00:40:05.719 --> 00:40:06.639 eyes to see 00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:08.299 or not. 00:40:10.139 --> 00:40:11.480 It frees us 00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:12.219 up to witness 00:40:12.219 --> 00:40:12.980 all the more. 00:40:13.199 --> 00:40:14.079 It makes us 00:40:14.079 --> 00:40:14.619 prayerful 00:40:14.619 --> 00:40:15.259 in our witness 00:40:15.259 --> 00:40:15.719 especially 00:40:15.719 --> 00:40:16.319 for our 00:40:16.319 --> 00:40:17.679 loved family 00:40:17.679 --> 00:40:18.159 members 00:40:18.159 --> 00:40:18.779 who aren't 00:40:18.779 --> 00:40:19.199 believers. 00:40:19.319 --> 00:40:20.119 We're able 00:40:20.119 --> 00:40:20.420 to say, 00:40:20.539 --> 00:40:21.299 Lord Jesus, 00:40:21.539 --> 00:40:22.019 would you 00:40:22.019 --> 00:40:24.139 light up 00:40:24.139 --> 00:40:25.079 their life? 00:40:25.940 --> 00:40:26.460 Give them 00:40:26.460 --> 00:40:27.059 sight. 00:40:27.420 --> 00:40:28.039 We're trusting 00:40:28.039 --> 00:40:29.099 you to do that. 00:40:29.099 --> 00:40:31.639 we're trusting you 00:40:31.639 --> 00:40:32.339 to do that. 00:40:32.339 --> 00:40:32.579 We just 00:40:32.579 --> 00:40:33.339 are faithful 00:40:33.339 --> 00:40:34.219 in speaking 00:40:34.219 --> 00:40:34.839 the gospel. 00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:37.880 It changes 00:40:37.880 --> 00:40:38.339 the way 00:40:38.339 --> 00:40:39.079 that we see 00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:39.579 people 00:40:39.579 --> 00:40:41.039 who are not 00:40:41.039 --> 00:40:41.639 Christians, 00:40:42.639 --> 00:40:43.799 whether it's a 00:40:43.799 --> 00:40:44.460 Pharisee-like 00:40:44.460 --> 00:40:45.440 person who is 00:40:45.440 --> 00:40:46.519 just saying, 00:40:46.900 --> 00:40:47.440 I am, 00:40:48.440 --> 00:40:49.579 I know I'm 00:40:49.579 --> 00:40:50.099 right, 00:40:50.440 --> 00:40:50.940 and therefore 00:40:50.940 --> 00:40:51.440 they deny 00:40:51.440 --> 00:40:52.000 Christ. 00:40:52.420 --> 00:40:53.839 They need 00:40:53.840 --> 00:40:54.360 to be lit 00:40:54.360 --> 00:40:54.700 up by 00:40:54.700 --> 00:40:55.019 Jesus. 00:40:57.000 --> 00:40:58.000 Or we 00:40:58.000 --> 00:40:58.320 take the 00:40:58.320 --> 00:40:58.700 parents, 00:40:58.860 --> 00:41:00.340 people who 00:41:00.340 --> 00:41:01.100 out of fear 00:41:01.100 --> 00:41:01.800 of man 00:41:01.800 --> 00:41:03.460 are unwilling 00:41:03.460 --> 00:41:04.140 to confess 00:41:04.140 --> 00:41:04.500 the name 00:41:04.500 --> 00:41:04.920 of Jesus. 00:41:05.980 --> 00:41:07.079 They're afraid 00:41:07.079 --> 00:41:07.760 of what others 00:41:07.760 --> 00:41:08.180 will think 00:41:08.180 --> 00:41:08.660 about them, 00:41:09.000 --> 00:41:10.360 afraid of 00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:11.980 being ostracized. 00:41:12.960 --> 00:41:13.519 Now if you're 00:41:13.519 --> 00:41:14.160 a non-Christian 00:41:14.160 --> 00:41:14.840 in the room 00:41:14.840 --> 00:41:16.579 and you've 00:41:16.579 --> 00:41:17.300 heard the gospel 00:41:17.300 --> 00:41:18.280 multiple times 00:41:18.280 --> 00:41:19.720 and the reason 00:41:19.720 --> 00:41:20.400 why you don't 00:41:20.400 --> 00:41:20.980 want to become 00:41:20.980 --> 00:41:21.380 a Christian 00:41:21.380 --> 00:41:22.000 is because 00:41:22.000 --> 00:41:22.260 you're going 00:41:22.260 --> 00:41:22.500 to lose 00:41:22.500 --> 00:41:23.059 your friends 00:41:23.059 --> 00:41:26.260 and you think 00:41:26.260 --> 00:41:26.760 that might be 00:41:26.760 --> 00:41:27.300 the worst thing 00:41:27.300 --> 00:41:27.780 that could ever 00:41:27.780 --> 00:41:28.320 happen to you. 00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:29.860 That is not 00:41:29.860 --> 00:41:30.400 the worst thing 00:41:30.400 --> 00:41:30.840 that could ever 00:41:30.840 --> 00:41:31.380 happen to you. 00:41:31.960 --> 00:41:32.780 The worst thing 00:41:32.780 --> 00:41:33.440 that could ever 00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:34.240 happen to you 00:41:34.240 --> 00:41:35.760 is that your sins 00:41:35.760 --> 00:41:37.599 remain over you 00:41:37.599 --> 00:41:39.000 as with God's 00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:39.500 wrath. 00:41:39.719 --> 00:41:40.500 That's the worst 00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:40.900 thing that could 00:41:40.900 --> 00:41:41.659 ever happen to you. 00:41:42.719 --> 00:41:43.599 And so what you do 00:41:43.599 --> 00:41:44.579 is you confess 00:41:44.579 --> 00:41:45.840 your fear of the Lord, 00:41:46.119 --> 00:41:47.000 fear of man, 00:41:47.320 --> 00:41:47.579 and you say, 00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:48.539 forgive me God 00:41:48.539 --> 00:41:49.119 for that, 00:41:49.400 --> 00:41:50.039 and I'm going 00:41:50.039 --> 00:41:50.719 to turn to you 00:41:50.719 --> 00:41:50.960 Lord, 00:41:50.980 --> 00:41:51.240 Lord Jesus, 00:41:51.380 --> 00:41:51.539 Lord, 00:41:51.619 --> 00:41:52.199 I believe. 00:41:53.000 --> 00:41:53.800 I believe that 00:41:53.800 --> 00:41:54.260 you're the Son 00:41:54.260 --> 00:41:54.659 of Man. 00:41:57.059 --> 00:41:57.760 But do you know 00:41:57.760 --> 00:41:59.519 who we see 00:41:59.519 --> 00:42:00.380 in a new light? 00:42:02.380 --> 00:42:03.679 We see Jesus 00:42:03.679 --> 00:42:04.420 in a new light. 00:42:05.780 --> 00:42:06.980 The Son of Man, 00:42:07.219 --> 00:42:08.340 the light of the world. 00:42:10.179 --> 00:42:11.059 We see him 00:42:11.059 --> 00:42:12.460 with greater clarity 00:42:12.460 --> 00:42:13.539 for who he is. 00:42:15.579 --> 00:42:16.159 You see, 00:42:16.240 --> 00:42:16.860 when Jesus, 00:42:17.780 --> 00:42:19.099 the light of the world, 00:42:19.699 --> 00:42:20.380 gives us 00:42:20.380 --> 00:42:21.760 eyes to see, 00:42:21.760 --> 00:42:23.099 do you know 00:42:23.099 --> 00:42:24.099 who we see? 00:42:25.740 --> 00:42:26.300 Jesus. 00:42:27.980 --> 00:42:29.200 He is the object 00:42:29.200 --> 00:42:29.940 of our faith. 00:42:30.980 --> 00:42:32.340 He is the focus. 00:42:33.220 --> 00:42:34.079 Our eyes 00:42:34.079 --> 00:42:36.059 are on Jesus 00:42:36.059 --> 00:42:37.380 together. 00:42:38.019 --> 00:42:38.559 And so, 00:42:38.780 --> 00:42:39.720 if you're a non-Christian, 00:42:39.940 --> 00:42:41.019 it starts with the confession, 00:42:41.680 --> 00:42:41.840 Lord, 00:42:41.920 --> 00:42:42.340 I believe. 00:42:42.340 --> 00:42:42.559 believe. 00:42:42.559 --> 00:42:44.720 And if you're a Christian, 00:42:45.360 --> 00:42:47.480 you say, 00:42:47.600 --> 00:42:48.579 show me your glory. 00:42:50.180 --> 00:42:52.120 Give me greater clarity 00:42:52.120 --> 00:42:53.260 on who you are, 00:42:53.400 --> 00:42:53.640 Jesus. 00:42:55.980 --> 00:42:56.900 That's where we go. 00:42:58.980 --> 00:43:00.160 Could you imagine living 00:43:00.160 --> 00:43:01.340 your whole life blind? 00:43:01.340 --> 00:43:05.539 never having seen 00:43:05.539 --> 00:43:06.360 the light of day? 00:43:08.000 --> 00:43:08.940 Becoming a Christian 00:43:08.940 --> 00:43:09.519 is like 00:43:09.519 --> 00:43:10.700 being blind 00:43:10.700 --> 00:43:12.820 and having someone 00:43:12.820 --> 00:43:14.840 open your eyes 00:43:14.840 --> 00:43:15.900 to what has always 00:43:15.900 --> 00:43:16.400 been there. 00:43:17.820 --> 00:43:18.780 Every Christian 00:43:18.780 --> 00:43:19.400 in the room 00:43:19.400 --> 00:43:21.160 is able to say, 00:43:21.700 --> 00:43:24.100 once I was blind, 00:43:24.720 --> 00:43:26.300 but now I see. 00:43:26.300 --> 00:43:28.440 Lord Jesus, 00:43:28.580 --> 00:43:29.480 thank you so much 00:43:29.480 --> 00:43:32.200 for making yourself 00:43:32.200 --> 00:43:33.180 known to us 00:43:33.180 --> 00:43:34.920 in so many different ways. 00:43:35.960 --> 00:43:36.120 Lord, 00:43:36.160 --> 00:43:36.800 would you help us 00:43:36.800 --> 00:43:38.320 to live in the light 00:43:38.320 --> 00:43:39.960 as you are in the light? 00:43:40.420 --> 00:43:41.300 In your name we pray. 00:43:41.920 --> 00:43:42.260 Amen.