WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.780 Thank you for joining us this morning. After Thanksgiving, many of you guys have been away, got back. 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:11.980 I think some of us are still away, not here. It looks like most of you made it back in one piece. 00:00:12.179 --> 00:00:17.960 I feel like I've been sick for the last two weeks, and so I might get a coughing fit here and there as I preach, 00:00:18.039 --> 00:00:19.719 so please bear with me as we go. 00:00:21.080 --> 00:00:28.839 If you've ever seen a spy film or read a spy novel, then you're familiar with that moment 00:00:28.839 --> 00:00:37.700 when the protagonist discovers that his friend who had befriended him or his lover who had loved him 00:00:37.700 --> 00:00:43.120 actually did not have any genuine friendship or affection for them, 00:00:43.120 --> 00:00:49.620 but were merely using them to cook secrets out of them to serve his enemy. 00:00:50.500 --> 00:00:55.060 And there's that sense of disappointment and betrayal. 00:00:55.060 --> 00:01:05.640 Or maybe you've seen reality TV or just people, just public figures around you of women marrying men with power and money 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:09.760 and later abandoning them when there's no more power and money to be gained. 00:01:10.379 --> 00:01:14.820 Or men marrying beautiful young women, much more beautiful and younger than they, 00:01:15.300 --> 00:01:22.000 and then later when they get older, discarding them as if they were things to be discarded. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:29.579 And there's pain in the realization that when people whom you thought loved you or were devoted to you 00:01:29.579 --> 00:01:33.480 really were actually not after you at all, but were seeking something else. 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:37.760 And frequently that's how many people relate to God. 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:41.319 We don't come to God for who he is. 00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:42.340 We don't love him. 00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:47.299 We don't seek to worship him, but rather we seek to use him for our purposes. 00:01:47.299 --> 00:01:52.219 And God will not stand to be used as a convenience. 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:58.099 And that's why Jesus here in this passage teaches us that we must believe in him on his terms 00:01:58.099 --> 00:02:00.479 as the giver of eternal life. 00:02:01.659 --> 00:02:04.120 And this passage teaches us that in two sections. 00:02:04.259 --> 00:02:08.139 First, it tells us about the belief in signs, what it means to believe in signs. 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:10.879 And then secondly, it tells us what it means to believe in Jesus. 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:15.419 And read with me verse 43. 00:02:15.740 --> 00:02:16.259 It tells us, 00:02:16.919 --> 00:02:21.000 After the two days, Jesus departed for Galilee. 00:02:21.799 --> 00:02:26.919 Now this is after two days, meaning the two days he spent among the Samaritans, 00:02:27.019 --> 00:02:29.800 preaching the gospel, the good news that he came to proclaim, 00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:31.919 that he's the Messiah, the Savior of the world. 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:35.539 He spent two days with them, and then he departed for Galilee, 00:02:35.659 --> 00:02:37.659 where his hometown Nazareth is. 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:44.060 And Jesus is heading to his hometown, and usually with homecomings, you expect a warm welcome. 00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:46.579 You expect to get some rest. 00:02:47.039 --> 00:02:51.979 You expect to let your burdens down for a week or for a weekend, 00:02:52.099 --> 00:02:53.680 however long you're going to be home for. 00:02:54.519 --> 00:02:56.819 And many of us did that this past week. 00:02:57.139 --> 00:03:02.079 Hannah and I were home in New York for a couple days to visit Hannah's side of our family. 00:03:02.639 --> 00:03:06.219 And one day when Hannah was resting in her grandmother's place, 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:07.560 at the end of the day she told me, 00:03:07.699 --> 00:03:11.520 Oh man, that was like the most restful day I've had in months, 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:14.719 just because she felt all the burdens were just laid aside, 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:16.180 nothing to worry about, 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:18.879 just in the home of her grandparents who loved her and raised her. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:21.219 And that's what we expect. 00:03:21.340 --> 00:03:23.199 That's what we think of when we think of homecoming. 00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:33.599 But here with Jesus' homecoming, we are prepared to expect that Jesus is not going to have such a warm welcome. 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:36.939 Because in verse 44, John gives us a parenthetical remark. 00:03:37.159 --> 00:03:37.379 It says, 00:03:37.619 --> 00:03:44.799 Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown. 00:03:45.299 --> 00:03:49.019 So this kind of foreshadows the kind of welcome he will receive in his hometown. 00:03:49.020 --> 00:03:51.320 And then so verse 45 continues. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:53.960 So when he came to Galilee, that's his hometown, 00:03:54.360 --> 00:03:57.520 the Galileans, his townspeople, welcomed him, 00:03:58.840 --> 00:04:01.719 having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast, 00:04:01.960 --> 00:04:04.020 for they too had gone to the feast. 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:06.340 So if you're following closely at this point, 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:07.960 you might be a little confused by this verse. 00:04:08.140 --> 00:04:08.719 Because you say, 00:04:08.860 --> 00:04:11.840 well, he says that his hometown of people, Galilee, 00:04:11.980 --> 00:04:13.460 they welcomed him, right? 00:04:13.560 --> 00:04:14.160 Well, that's good. 00:04:14.280 --> 00:04:15.020 They're welcoming him. 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:16.879 They are giving him a warm welcome. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:20.639 So what do you mean that Jesus said that there would be no prophet, 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:21.819 has no honor in his own hometown? 00:04:22.279 --> 00:04:23.459 See, that's not the whole story. 00:04:23.500 --> 00:04:26.500 Because you have to examine the nature of their welcome. 00:04:26.639 --> 00:04:28.199 And that's given in the following clause. 00:04:28.279 --> 00:04:28.540 It says, 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:34.139 Having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast, 00:04:34.519 --> 00:04:37.279 for they too had gone to the feast. 00:04:37.959 --> 00:04:38.740 So basically, 00:04:38.839 --> 00:04:42.920 the people of Jesus' hometown had heard of the miraculous works he had done. 00:04:42.920 --> 00:04:45.300 And they wanted to see the show too, 00:04:45.640 --> 00:04:47.080 basically is what's going on. 00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:50.060 And Jesus is critical of this kind of interest, 00:04:50.160 --> 00:04:51.740 because it's an unhealthy interest. 00:04:52.040 --> 00:04:54.460 Because the dependence on signs for your faith 00:04:54.460 --> 00:04:56.600 often leads to a spurious faith, 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:57.900 not an authentic faith, 00:04:57.960 --> 00:05:00.400 a faith that teeters when it's tested, 00:05:01.080 --> 00:05:02.040 when it's challenged. 00:05:03.280 --> 00:05:04.939 And so see the contrast. 00:05:05.200 --> 00:05:06.680 In order to really get that contrast, 00:05:06.780 --> 00:05:07.980 look at verse 42, 00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:09.700 which we talked about two weeks ago, 00:05:10.300 --> 00:05:11.480 the Samaritan's response. 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:12.500 Because in verse 42, 00:05:12.700 --> 00:05:13.540 the Samaritans, 00:05:13.660 --> 00:05:16.360 the people that are not even Jesus' own people, 00:05:16.960 --> 00:05:18.840 they say this in verse 42, 00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:20.319 We know that this, 00:05:20.400 --> 00:05:20.759 Jesus, 00:05:21.020 --> 00:05:23.240 is indeed the Savior of the world. 00:05:24.100 --> 00:05:26.480 They come to Jesus as a Savior of the world. 00:05:26.620 --> 00:05:28.900 That's what their profession of faith. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:30.200 But here in Galilee, 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:31.460 Jesus' own hometown, 00:05:31.740 --> 00:05:33.960 there's no such profession of faith. 00:05:34.920 --> 00:05:35.379 Instead, 00:05:35.520 --> 00:05:37.500 we see people absorbed in their own needs, 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:38.819 in their own problems, 00:05:38.819 --> 00:05:41.620 seeking to take advantage of Jesus for their purposes. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:44.120 And that's the meaning of the statement, 00:05:44.219 --> 00:05:47.560 a prophet has no honor in his own hometown. 00:05:47.719 --> 00:05:49.839 And you can hear that bitter irony 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:52.540 in the verses 43 to 45, 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:55.519 because there's a threefold repetition of the word Galilee. 00:05:56.199 --> 00:05:57.300 So Galilee is his hometown. 00:05:57.779 --> 00:06:00.120 So he came to depart it for Galilee. 00:06:00.459 --> 00:06:02.079 And when he came to Galilee, 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:05.180 the Galileans welcomed him, 00:06:05.719 --> 00:06:08.379 having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem. 00:06:08.479 --> 00:06:09.459 The Galileans, 00:06:10.399 --> 00:06:12.339 his home people, 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:15.439 the family and friends he grew up with, 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:16.479 they, quote unquote, 00:06:16.719 --> 00:06:17.659 welcomed him. 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:18.779 And for what reason? 00:06:19.799 --> 00:06:21.680 Not because they truly knew him, 00:06:21.799 --> 00:06:22.740 or loved him, 00:06:22.799 --> 00:06:24.839 but because of the miracles he had performed 00:06:24.839 --> 00:06:26.060 in Jerusalem. 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:28.220 It's as if, 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:28.420 you know, 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:29.160 Ben Affleck, 00:06:29.280 --> 00:06:31.379 who grew up in Central Square in Cambridge, 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:33.199 comes to town, 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:35.339 to hang out with his old friends and family. 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:37.839 And instead of taking any genuine interest 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:38.980 in who he is, 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:40.939 or the work that he is doing, 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:42.899 they simply want to take some selfies with him 00:06:42.899 --> 00:06:44.180 and score free movie tickets. 00:06:45.399 --> 00:06:47.279 That's the kind of welcome Jesus is getting 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:48.220 in his hometown. 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:52.660 It's a sad fulfillment of what John had told us 00:06:52.660 --> 00:06:54.019 in the prologue of chapter one, 00:06:54.019 --> 00:06:55.039 verses 10 to 11, 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:56.839 that Jesus was in the world 00:06:56.839 --> 00:06:58.519 and the world was made through him, 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:00.659 yet the world did not know him. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:02.859 He came to his own 00:07:02.859 --> 00:07:05.680 and his own people did not receive him. 00:07:06.479 --> 00:07:08.500 Jesus had no honor in his hometown. 00:07:08.779 --> 00:07:11.379 The Galileans flocked to him to see a show, 00:07:12.039 --> 00:07:13.419 not to meet their savior. 00:07:15.079 --> 00:07:16.319 And so this is the context 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:17.500 that you have to have in your background 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:19.299 as you look at Jesus' interaction 00:07:19.299 --> 00:07:20.719 with this official, 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:21.919 because that's the spirit 00:07:21.919 --> 00:07:23.560 in which this government official comes. 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:25.360 And he approaches Jesus, 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:28.000 but he also has a very pressing personal need. 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:30.439 In verse 47, it tells us, 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:32.959 he went to Jesus and asked him 00:07:32.959 --> 00:07:35.259 to come down and heal his son, 00:07:35.540 --> 00:07:37.500 for he was at the point of death. 00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:39.660 The man had a dire need. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:40.819 I mean, his son's dying. 00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:43.160 And his son, it's a serious illness, 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:44.040 but he's desperate. 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:45.040 And at this point, 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:47.740 he's probably despaired of any kind of medical help. 00:07:48.040 --> 00:07:49.879 So this is his last hope, 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:50.819 last chance, 00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:52.159 Jesus, the wonder worker. 00:07:52.159 --> 00:07:53.899 So he comes to Jesus. 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:56.599 Please come down and heal my son. 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:00.420 But that was the extent of the official's faith. 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:02.500 He didn't believe that Jesus was the Messiah, 00:08:02.599 --> 00:08:03.240 the son of God. 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:05.879 He did not believe that Jesus was the savior of the world. 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:08.699 He merely believed that Jesus just might be able 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:09.560 to heal his son. 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:12.480 And Jesus, seeing right through this, 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:14.120 admonishes him in verse 48, 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:17.160 unless you see signs and wonders, 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:18.800 you will not believe. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:23.620 But the official is so preoccupied with his own need 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:25.160 that Jesus' word just, you know, 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:26.120 bounced right off of him, 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:27.240 go run right past him, 00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:29.160 and he goes right back to believe. 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:30.079 Believe in what? 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:31.079 My son is dying. 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:32.980 So the official reiterates in verse 49, 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:35.960 sir, just come down before my child dies, please. 00:08:35.960 --> 00:08:41.040 And so notwithstanding the ignorance of the official 00:08:41.040 --> 00:08:42.740 and his deficient faith, 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:44.340 Jesus has compassion on him 00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:47.320 because he is coming with the dire pressing need. 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:50.160 And even though the official apparently thinks 00:08:50.160 --> 00:08:51.800 that Jesus has to be physically present 00:08:51.800 --> 00:08:52.820 in order to heal his son 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:53.900 because that's why he keeps saying, 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:55.420 come down, please come down. 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:59.860 Jesus' power far exceeds the official's imagination. 00:09:00.160 --> 00:09:02.019 And he simply tells him in verse 50, 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:05.179 Go, your son will live. 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:08.799 And John notes that the man believed the word 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:12.919 that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:16.240 The man believed the word that Jesus spoke, 00:09:16.539 --> 00:09:19.340 meaning the man believed that his son would be healed. 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:20.679 So he believed the healing. 00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:23.259 He believed, in other words, the signs. 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:26.199 That's what it looks like to believe in the signs. 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:29.720 And sometimes people, and some of us, 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:33.060 we come to Christ out of self-serving purposes in this way. 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:36.080 We seek to believe the sign, 00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:37.639 but not necessarily in Jesus. 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:42.200 For some, it's a sign of respectability, right? 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:44.100 Maybe not so much in New England anymore, 00:09:44.160 --> 00:09:45.259 but some parts of the country, 00:09:45.580 --> 00:09:48.100 being a Christian still comes with a badge of respectability. 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:52.120 So that's what they come to become, 00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:53.019 come to Christ for. 00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:54.759 They're going to say, well, I'm a Christian. 00:09:54.860 --> 00:09:56.660 I'm a good Christian man or a good Christian woman. 00:09:56.659 --> 00:10:00.240 I go to church every week or at least twice a week on Easter and Christmas. 00:10:00.819 --> 00:10:02.500 That's the badge. 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:04.419 And that becomes then for us, 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:07.139 for those people, a part of maintaining a social identity 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:10.600 rather than coming to Christ for who he is on his terms. 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:14.000 For others, it's a sign of support. 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:15.699 Church becomes a sign of support. 00:10:15.959 --> 00:10:18.959 They want to overcome some kind of personal problem. 00:10:19.059 --> 00:10:20.059 Maybe they want to get sober. 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:21.860 Maybe they want to overcome depression. 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:23.959 Maybe they just want to find some people, 00:10:24.059 --> 00:10:25.100 some friends to be around. 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:26.800 And for these people, 00:10:27.040 --> 00:10:29.540 then being a Christian and part of a church 00:10:29.540 --> 00:10:32.460 becomes a way to find affirmation and support 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:34.860 so that they can accomplish their personal goals. 00:10:36.820 --> 00:10:39.920 And for still others, it's the sign of prosperity. 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:43.100 They believe that by coming to Christ, 00:10:43.460 --> 00:10:44.680 by becoming a Christian 00:10:44.680 --> 00:10:47.000 and trying to live a Christian life, 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:49.480 they believe they can fulfill their part of the bargain 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:50.779 in their relationship with God. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:54.120 And so now they could expect God to do good things for them, 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:55.659 whether they give them a good job, 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:56.539 a good spouse, 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:57.159 a children, 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:57.779 health, 00:10:58.620 --> 00:10:59.060 wealth. 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:02.580 But believing in the signs 00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:04.840 apart from believing in Jesus 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:06.060 is tenuous, 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:07.500 as this passage teaches us. 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:08.580 Because when being a Christian 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:09.980 is no longer 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:12.080 a badge of respectability, 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.060 but of shame 00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:14.179 and persecution. 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:15.899 When being a Christian 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:17.460 doesn't provide the support 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:19.060 that you are looking for 00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:20.480 to achieve your personal goals. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.539 When being a Christian 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:23.200 doesn't lead to health, 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:24.180 wealth, 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:25.039 and prosperity. 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:26.399 Those who come to Christ 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:27.759 only because of the signs 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:29.120 will fall away. 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:31.560 And this is the sure test 00:11:31.560 --> 00:11:32.639 of whether or not 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:33.659 we have believed 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:34.639 merely in the signs 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:35.980 or in Jesus himself 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:36.700 on his terms. 00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:38.539 Ask this question, 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:40.539 is the strength of your faith in God, 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:42.519 the ardor of your love for God, 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:43.740 are they contingent 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:45.600 on how well things are going for you? 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:46.200 Hmm. 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:48.360 If so, 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:49.300 that's an indicator 00:11:49.300 --> 00:11:50.340 that our faith 00:11:50.340 --> 00:11:51.540 is not in Christ himself, 00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:53.399 but in the signs. 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:55.480 And Jesus calls us 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.120 to a faith 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:56.940 that is deeper 00:11:56.940 --> 00:11:58.519 and more secure 00:11:58.519 --> 00:11:59.960 and exhilarating than that. 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:01.700 So that even when we are mocked 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:02.560 and ridiculed 00:12:02.560 --> 00:12:04.740 for our faith in Christ, 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:06.060 even in the midst 00:12:06.060 --> 00:12:07.460 of abject failure, 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:08.440 loneliness, 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.139 sickness, 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:10.080 and poverty, 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:11.300 we could stand firm 00:12:11.300 --> 00:12:12.440 and cling to Christ. 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:14.440 Because Jesus calls us 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:14.879 to believe 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.899 not just in the signs, 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:16.600 but in him 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:17.820 as our Savior, 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:18.879 as our Lord. 00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:20.799 So what does it mean 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:21.960 then to believe 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:22.960 in Jesus? 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:26.559 Read verses 51 to 54 with me. 00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:28.340 It says, 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:29.720 As he was going down, 00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:31.399 his servants met him 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:32.080 and told him 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:33.399 that his son was recovering. 00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:35.279 So he asked them 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:36.059 the hour 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:36.820 when he began 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:37.600 to get better. 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:39.399 And they said to him, 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:41.340 Yesterday at the seventh hour 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.379 the fever left him. 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:44.399 The father knew 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.379 that was the hour 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:46.840 when Jesus had said to him, 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.779 Your son will live. 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:51.659 And he himself believed 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:53.100 and all his household. 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:55.019 This was now 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:55.879 the second sign 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:56.600 that Jesus did 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.399 when he had come 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:58.340 from Judea 00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.539 to Galilee. 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.459 So as the official 00:13:01.459 --> 00:13:02.139 is going back 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:02.860 down to his house 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:03.899 after Jesus assured him, 00:13:03.939 --> 00:13:04.919 Your son will live. 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:06.079 His servants come up 00:13:06.079 --> 00:13:06.639 to meet him 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.579 and they're so excited 00:13:07.579 --> 00:13:08.319 to share the news 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:08.980 that his son 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.840 is actually recovering. 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:10.699 The fever broke. 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:12.580 He's finally on the mend. 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:14.100 And the official 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:15.320 asks some questions 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:16.300 and then ascertains 00:13:16.300 --> 00:13:17.520 that the very hour 00:13:17.520 --> 00:13:18.520 when Jesus said, 00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:19.379 Your son will live 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:20.120 was a time 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:20.980 when his son 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:22.100 started to heal. 00:13:22.920 --> 00:13:23.860 And because of that 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:24.940 it says in verse 53, 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.320 The official himself 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:27.300 believed 00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:29.300 and all his household. 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.860 Now this is a, 00:13:31.420 --> 00:13:32.300 it might be a little 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:35.200 unusual for you 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:36.600 to hear the last phrase, 00:13:36.680 --> 00:13:37.340 all his household, 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:38.360 because we live 00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:39.060 in such an individual 00:13:39.060 --> 00:13:39.659 as the culture. 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:40.360 We make decisions 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:41.080 for ourselves. 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:42.639 But this is a culture 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.460 where the fiber 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:44.080 of community 00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:44.759 and family 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:45.680 run much thicker 00:13:45.680 --> 00:13:46.460 and deeper 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:47.279 than it does 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:47.980 in our society. 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:48.639 So often 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:50.200 when the head 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:50.620 of the household, 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:51.000 for example, 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:51.899 here like the official 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:52.879 made a decision, 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:54.220 it became a collective 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:55.279 decision that the family 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:56.139 owned together. 00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:57.279 And so they came 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:58.300 to faith together 00:13:58.300 --> 00:13:59.519 as a family. 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.159 And here, 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:02.680 note the contrast. 00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:03.460 In verse 50, 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:04.440 it says the man 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:05.340 believed the word 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.340 that Jesus had spoke. 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.580 So he at that time 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:08.340 believed in the son, 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:10.019 but now he says 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:11.500 he simply believes 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.800 in verse 53. 00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:13.860 The implication 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:14.759 is that he came 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.560 from his faith 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:16.200 in the signs 00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:17.200 and has progressed 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:18.820 rightly and appropriately 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:20.980 to faith in Jesus himself 00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:23.000 as the promised Messiah, 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:24.139 the Savior of the world. 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:25.779 Before he believed 00:14:25.779 --> 00:14:26.600 in the signs only, 00:14:26.680 --> 00:14:27.340 but now he believes 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:27.800 in Jesus. 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:28.700 And what exactly 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:29.500 does it mean 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:31.800 to believe in Jesus? 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:32.800 And in order 00:14:32.800 --> 00:14:33.940 to determine that, 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:34.879 we need to figure out 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.019 what this sign is 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.860 that John is talking about. 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.460 Because a sign 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:38.419 points to something. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.620 So let's say 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:40.139 we were taking 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.379 a road trip to California 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.940 and you come across 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:44.019 the first highway sign 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.879 that says California 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:46.700 maybe says 300 miles away. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:47.460 And then you go, 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.419 oh great, California. 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.500 And you take a picture 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.039 in front of it 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:50.980 and then you drive back home. 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:51.680 No, of course 00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:52.259 you wouldn't do that. 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:53.320 That's not California. 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.220 That's just a sign. 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:56.060 But the sign always points 00:14:56.060 --> 00:14:57.680 to a reality beyond itself. 00:14:58.160 --> 00:14:58.800 So in the same way, 00:14:58.860 --> 00:14:59.740 so what is the sign? 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:00.879 The sign is the healing 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.240 of the son, official son. 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:04.480 What does the sign point to? 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:06.879 And it's the second sign 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.399 John tells us. 00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:08.420 The first sign was 00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:09.660 the turning of water 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:11.440 into wine at Cana, 00:15:11.560 --> 00:15:12.580 at the wedding feast. 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:13.639 And by filling 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:15.200 the purification jars, 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:16.300 the jars for purification 00:15:16.300 --> 00:15:17.519 with wine, 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:18.580 Jesus indicated 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:20.200 that he's the promised Messiah 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:21.940 who fulfills the laws 00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:23.020 and the requirements 00:15:23.020 --> 00:15:24.580 of purification and atonement. 00:15:25.520 --> 00:15:26.960 And now with the second sign, 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:29.760 Jesus heals a dying son. 00:15:30.020 --> 00:15:31.040 And through that sign 00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:32.300 indicates that he is 00:15:32.300 --> 00:15:33.420 the promised Messiah 00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:36.860 who imparts eternal life. 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.380 And we see that 00:15:38.380 --> 00:15:39.040 in the repetition 00:15:39.040 --> 00:15:40.340 of the word live, 00:15:40.420 --> 00:15:41.560 it's mentioned three times 00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:42.260 in this passage. 00:15:43.180 --> 00:15:44.640 In verse 50, 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:46.400 Jesus says to the official, 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.880 your son will live. 00:15:48.300 --> 00:15:49.060 Verse 51, 00:15:49.380 --> 00:15:50.520 the servants tell the official 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:52.519 his son was recovering. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:54.759 It's actually the exact same word, 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:56.039 even the same tense. 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:57.919 And it's, 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:58.199 it's, 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.019 it's, 00:15:59.019 --> 00:16:00.439 you could really translate it, 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.939 your son is now living. 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:03.699 So it's the same word. 00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:04.699 And then again, 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.600 in verse 53, 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.720 the word is used again 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.899 as the official recalls 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:08.600 what Jesus said, 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:10.679 your son will live. 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.039 Again, 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:12.319 live life. 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.439 That's the sign, 00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:14.799 that the sign is pointing 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:15.939 to Jesus' ability 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.759 to give life. 00:16:16.939 --> 00:16:18.519 And not just physical life, 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:20.079 but eternal life. 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.939 Because he has said earlier 00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:22.840 to the Samaritans 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.879 in verse 14, 00:16:24.439 --> 00:16:25.279 that the water 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.460 that I will give 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:27.319 will become 00:16:27.319 --> 00:16:28.539 a spring of water 00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:29.259 welling up 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:31.740 to eternal life. 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:32.840 The main concern 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:33.419 of this passage 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:34.480 is not the healing 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:36.279 of the official son, 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:37.139 the physical healing, 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:38.199 but the reality 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:39.399 that it points to, 00:16:39.439 --> 00:16:40.279 namely that Jesus 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.419 revives, 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:42.639 who revives the sick, 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.600 can also impart 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.679 eternal life, 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:46.120 bring dead souls 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:47.460 to life again. 00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:49.560 And that's why 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.060 it's not enough 00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:51.240 to believe in just the signs. 00:16:51.280 --> 00:16:51.900 We have to believe 00:16:51.900 --> 00:16:53.620 in Jesus on his terms 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.220 as the giver 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:56.660 of eternal life. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:17:00.000 And this might 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.240 seem a little 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.400 harsh at first 00:17:02.400 --> 00:17:03.400 for Jesus to interact 00:17:03.400 --> 00:17:04.400 with this official 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.059 in this way, 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.660 but we have to 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:07.500 recognize 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.900 that, 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:09.500 you know, 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.460 even though physical 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.819 physical death 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:12.920 is significant, 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:15.180 all men and women 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:15.680 are appointed 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.500 to die once. 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:18.900 eternal death, 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:19.299 however, 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.220 God intends 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.700 for us to avoid. 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.660 He wants us 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:25.000 to seek eternal life. 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:25.839 It's not 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:27.079 an inevitable reality. 00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:28.079 And yet, 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:28.740 so many of us 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.579 spend a lifetime 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:31.240 denying or delaying 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:32.299 the inevitable certainty 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.119 of physical death 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:34.059 while doing nothing 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:35.299 to avert 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.480 the fearful prospect 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.599 of eternal death. 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:38.880 And so this, 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:40.099 Jesus is rightly 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:40.920 bringing this rebuke 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:41.799 to bring attention 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:42.940 to what is most important. 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:45.039 And in his brilliant book, 00:17:45.380 --> 00:17:46.180 School Tape Letters, 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:49.140 C.S. Lewis imagines 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:51.920 this series of letter exchanges, 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:53.019 dialogues between 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.820 School Tape, 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:54.660 Uncle School Tape, 00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:56.080 and his nephew, 00:17:56.340 --> 00:17:56.720 Wormwood. 00:17:57.080 --> 00:17:57.720 And School Tape's 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.500 a senior devil 00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.860 who is advising 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:01.019 through these letters 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.779 this junior devil, 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.360 Wormwood, 00:18:03.600 --> 00:18:05.200 about how to inspire 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:07.120 his human subject, 00:18:07.320 --> 00:18:08.259 which they call patient, 00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:09.759 to help, 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.700 successfully to help. 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:12.920 And in one revealing 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:14.240 interchange, 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:16.039 the senior devil, 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:16.840 Scruite, 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.220 rebukes Wormwood 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:18.840 for his, 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.720 what he calls 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.720 his novice 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.600 preoccupation 00:18:21.600 --> 00:18:22.799 with physical death. 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:24.460 And this is what he says. 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:25.740 It's slightly lengthy, 00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:26.680 but follow along with me. 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.620 It's very intriguing. 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:29.960 When I told you 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:31.580 not to fill your letters 00:18:31.580 --> 00:18:32.140 with rubbish 00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:32.880 about the war, 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.360 I meant, of course, 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:35.299 that I did not want 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.420 to have your rather 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:37.779 infantile rhapsodies 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.960 about the death of men 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:39.600 and the destruction 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.140 of cities. 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:42.920 Insofar as the war 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:43.680 really concerns 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.660 the spiritual state 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:45.180 of the patient, 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.440 I naturally want 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.180 full reports. 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.819 And on this aspect, 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:50.640 you seem singularly obtuse. 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:52.200 Thus, you tell me 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:52.799 with glee 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:53.740 that there is reason 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:55.319 to expect heavy air raids 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:55.980 on the town 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:57.220 where the creature lives. 00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:59.059 This is a crying example 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.480 of something 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.180 I have complained 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:00.819 about already, 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.880 your readiness 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:03.799 to forget the main point 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.720 in your immediate 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:06.700 enjoyment of human suffering. 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:08.660 Do you not know 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:10.380 that bombs kill men? 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:12.180 Or do you not realize 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:13.420 that the patient's death 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:14.220 at this moment 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.319 is precisely 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.640 what we want to avoid? 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:18.039 He has escaped 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.100 the worldly friends 00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:19.920 with whom you try 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:20.860 to entangle him. 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:22.240 He has fallen in love 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.600 with the very Christian woman 00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:25.100 and is temporarily immune 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:25.960 from your attacks 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.880 on his chastity. 00:19:27.080 --> 00:19:28.400 And the various methods 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:29.019 of corrupting 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.840 his spiritual life, 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.160 which we have been trying, 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.660 are so far unsuccessful. 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:34.480 At the present moment, 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.060 as the full impact 00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:37.460 of the war draws nearer 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.660 and his worldly hopes 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:40.000 take a proportionally 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.500 lower place in his mind, 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:43.160 full of his defense work, 00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:44.300 full of the girl, 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.460 forced to attend 00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:46.160 to his neighbors 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:46.860 more than he has 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.700 ever done before 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.519 and liken it 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.400 more than he expected, 00:19:49.820 --> 00:19:50.960 taken out of himself, 00:19:51.060 --> 00:19:51.960 as the humans say, 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.960 and daily increasing 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.120 in conscious dependence 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:56.160 on the enemy, 00:19:56.340 --> 00:19:56.860 that's God, 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.759 he will almost certainly 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.540 be lost to us 00:19:59.540 --> 00:20:00.580 if he is killed tonight. 00:20:00.579 --> 00:20:02.639 This is so obvious 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.799 that I'm ashamed to write it. 00:20:04.179 --> 00:20:04.939 I sometimes wonder 00:20:04.939 --> 00:20:06.059 if you young fiends 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.919 are not kept out 00:20:06.919 --> 00:20:08.539 on temptation duty 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.480 too long at a time, 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.439 if you are not 00:20:10.439 --> 00:20:11.240 in some danger 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.240 of becoming infected 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.099 by the sentiments 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:14.559 and values of the humans 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.559 among whom you work. 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:18.099 They, of course, 00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:20.019 do tend to regard death 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.139 as the prime evil 00:20:21.139 --> 00:20:22.199 and survival 00:20:22.199 --> 00:20:23.619 as the greatest good, 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:25.139 but that is because 00:20:25.139 --> 00:20:26.119 we have taught them 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:26.819 to do so. 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.599 Do not let us 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.319 be infected 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:31.119 by our own propaganda. 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:36.619 Like a dumb eagle 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:38.240 fluttering about 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.339 among the chickens, 00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:40.599 not knowing 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:41.700 that it can soar 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.599 into the sky 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.419 and fly, 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.799 often we are living 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.839 creatures made 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:47.659 for eternity 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.539 but living 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.679 as if this life 00:20:49.679 --> 00:20:51.000 were all there is. 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:55.939 What are your daily 00:20:55.939 --> 00:20:57.500 and weekly preoccupations? 00:20:57.500 --> 00:21:00.619 What are you living for? 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.200 Let us not be so consumed 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.920 with finding our niche 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:06.000 here in this world, 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:07.299 finding our place 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.160 in this life 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:08.900 that we forget 00:21:08.900 --> 00:21:10.299 the fact that this world 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.240 is not our home. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:14.119 Are you suffering? 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:16.740 Are you disappointed 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.859 or depressed 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.920 with the way things 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.539 have turned out 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.180 in your life? 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:21.019 Then remember 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.839 that our suffering 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:22.740 here in this life 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.440 is light 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.779 and momentary 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.160 compared 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:27.000 to the eternal glory 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.160 that we will experience 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:28.740 in God. 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.539 Place your hope 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.859 there and not here. 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:33.700 Are you happy 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.480 with your lot 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.160 on earth? 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.420 You enjoy 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.259 a good reputation 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.880 in a wide 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:40.059 circle of friends 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.839 and admirers. 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.059 You have a meaningful 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:43.220 job that keeps you 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:43.740 useful 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.640 and productive. 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:46.400 don't forget 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:47.320 that this life 00:21:47.320 --> 00:21:47.980 is short 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:49.200 and inconsequential 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.180 compared to the 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:51.120 eternal life 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:51.960 that awaits you. 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:54.720 Where does the weight 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:56.620 of your priorities 00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:57.520 lie? 00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:00.400 Are your thoughts, 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:00.980 words, 00:22:01.060 --> 00:22:01.680 and actions 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.680 governed by 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.600 and constrained 00:22:03.600 --> 00:22:04.820 by the concerns 00:22:04.820 --> 00:22:06.220 for this life 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:08.740 or eternal life? 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:11.859 Brothers and sisters, 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:13.259 let's not cheapen 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.200 Christ to be 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.500 some wonder worker 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.140 and settle 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:16.920 for the trinkets 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:17.700 of this life 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.740 when we can 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.700 believe in Him 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.400 as a Savior 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.440 of the world 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.240 and a giver 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.460 of eternal life 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.140 and we can devote 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:25.039 all our heart, 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.039 soul, mind, 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:26.660 and strength 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:27.079 to Him. 00:22:29.380 --> 00:22:30.079 And now, 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:30.660 if we're honest 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.279 with ourselves 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.000 at this point, 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.380 you admit 00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:34.299 that this is 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:35.160 difficult to do. 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:37.420 Because most of the time 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:38.300 this life feels 00:22:38.300 --> 00:22:38.940 so real 00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:41.000 and eternal life 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:42.740 seems so hypothetical. 00:22:44.100 --> 00:22:45.340 This life 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:46.700 is all too close 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:47.500 and eternal life 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.740 seems all too distant. 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.900 The material 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:52.200 seems more significant. 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.040 The immaterial 00:22:53.040 --> 00:22:54.180 seems insignificant. 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:56.600 But the only way 00:22:56.600 --> 00:22:58.279 we can come to grips 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.779 with the reality 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:01.240 and value 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.620 of eternal life 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.540 is by looking 00:23:03.540 --> 00:23:04.480 at the costly 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.380 price 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.559 God the Father 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.180 paid 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.460 to be able 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.019 to offer 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.740 eternal life 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.360 to us. 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:13.240 You see, 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.059 Jesus here 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.860 can declare 00:23:14.860 --> 00:23:16.839 to this official, 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:18.200 your son 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:19.539 will live. 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.900 Because, 00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:21.599 ultimately, 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.539 God the Father 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.539 had decreed, 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.680 my son 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:26.099 will die. 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.720 All of us 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.460 have sinned 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.740 against the Holy God 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:32.559 and by doing so 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:33.000 we have become 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.120 separated from Him 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:35.439 alienated from Him 00:23:35.439 --> 00:23:36.479 who is the source 00:23:36.479 --> 00:23:37.099 of life 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:38.559 and that naturally 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.779 and appropriately 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.899 leads to death. 00:23:41.659 --> 00:23:42.439 Eternal death. 00:23:44.419 --> 00:23:44.699 Yet, 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:45.519 instead of 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.519 leaving us there 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.879 without any recourse, 00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:49.099 God the Father 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:50.099 sends His 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:50.799 perfect, 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.539 sinless 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.239 Son 00:23:52.239 --> 00:23:53.199 to die 00:23:53.199 --> 00:23:54.500 in our stead 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:56.699 so that we 00:23:56.699 --> 00:23:57.699 sinful men and women 00:23:57.699 --> 00:23:58.500 can live. 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.500 eternal life. 00:23:59.500 --> 00:23:59.740 That's 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:01.039 the price 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:02.359 God pays 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:04.079 for eternal life. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.339 And if you have 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:08.000 not yet 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:09.039 believed in 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.039 Jesus Himself, 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.480 then I urge you 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.099 that Jesus 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:14.099 is the only one 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:14.799 who can grant 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:16.000 this eternal life 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.940 because He won it 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.819 for us by dying 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.420 and our stead. 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.460 And eternal life, 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:20.619 Jesus is not a means 00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:21.220 to an end. 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.400 Eternal life 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:24.099 is union with Christ. 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.119 Eternal life 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:26.079 is fellowship 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.659 with God the Father. 00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:28.619 Eternal life 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.459 is being filled 00:24:29.459 --> 00:24:30.659 with the Spirit of God. 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:31.639 Eternal life 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:33.459 is that life 00:24:33.459 --> 00:24:34.539 in the triune God. 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.459 It's union with Him. 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:36.839 So, 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:38.000 Jesus is not a means 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.319 to an end. 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:39.719 Jesus is the end. 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:41.199 He is the source 00:24:41.199 --> 00:24:42.139 of eternal life. 00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:43.339 So, 00:24:43.439 --> 00:24:44.139 come to Him. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.699 And if you already 00:24:46.699 --> 00:24:47.559 believe in Jesus, 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:49.339 then I urge you 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.519 with us 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:50.919 together, 00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:51.479 fight 00:24:51.479 --> 00:24:52.500 every day 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:53.399 to believe 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.360 the good news 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.259 of Jesus Christ. 00:24:55.560 --> 00:24:56.360 Every morning 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:57.080 when you wake up 00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:57.660 and every night 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.340 when you go to bed 00:24:58.340 --> 00:24:59.120 and throughout the day, 00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:00.680 believe in Jesus 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.740 as the giver 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.580 of eternal life 00:25:02.580 --> 00:25:03.660 on His terms. 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.519 Remember the price 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.200 He paid 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:06.880 because it's only 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.660 by remembering 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.840 how costly 00:25:08.840 --> 00:25:10.840 eternal life was 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.780 we can know 00:25:11.780 --> 00:25:12.920 how precious it is. 00:25:14.280 --> 00:25:15.840 And then the weight 00:25:15.840 --> 00:25:17.140 of our priorities 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:18.540 shifts, 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:20.460 reorients us, 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.800 and enables us 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.339 to live 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.359 in light 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.139 of eternal life, 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.779 in obedience. 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:28.899 Let me 00:25:28.899 --> 00:25:30.259 read 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.700 a verse 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.359 out of my 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:33.379 one of my favorite 00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:34.259 hymns 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:36.419 that captures 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:36.879 this 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:38.859 complete devotion 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.279 to God, 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.119 coming to Jesus 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:41.379 on His terms. 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.180 The song is called 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:42.559 Jesus, 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.919 I my cross have taken. 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:44.899 It goes, 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.200 verse, 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:45.500 verse, 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:45.899 Jesus, 00:25:46.399 --> 00:25:47.279 I my cross 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:48.460 have taken 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:50.799 all to leave 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:52.120 and follow Thee. 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.740 Destitute, 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:55.200 despised, 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:55.980 forsaken, 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:58.019 thou from hence 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.779 my all 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.559 shall be. 00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.100 Perish 00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:02.240 every fond 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:02.779 ambition, 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.740 all I've sought 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.559 or hoped 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.539 or known, 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:08.620 yet how rich 00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:10.039 is my condition. 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.920 God and heaven 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:12.779 are still 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.980 my own. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:16.039 that's 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:17.299 the life, 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.440 the Christian life 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.579 that Jesus calls us to. 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.559 Give all 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.200 to follow Him, 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.860 come to Him 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.460 as the giver 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.759 of eternal life today. 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.240 Let's pray. 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.319 Amen. 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:27.360 Amen. 00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:27.420 Amen. 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:27.460 Amen. 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:27.920 Amen. 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.420 Amen. 00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:28.920 Amen. 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.360 Amen. 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:29.420 Amen. 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:29.920 Amen. 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:30.420 Amen. 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:30.920 Amen. 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.360 Amen. 00:26:31.360 --> 00:26:31.420 Amen. 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:31.920 Amen. 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.420 Amen. 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:32.480 Amen. 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:32.519 Amen. 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:32.579 Amen. 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.039 Amen. 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.059 Amen. 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.099 Amen.