WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.919 Turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Mark chapter 8. Mark chapter 8, page 844 in your pew Bible. Mark chapter 8, we'll read beginning in verse 22. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:41.340 Mark 8, verse 22. And they came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:53.400 And when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, Do you see anything? And he looked up and said, I see men, but they look like trees walking. 00:00:53.399 --> 00:01:08.180 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again, and he opened his eyes. His sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, Do not even enter the village. 00:01:09.939 --> 00:01:12.739 Thus far the reading of God's word. May he bless it to us. 00:01:12.739 --> 00:01:21.140 Well, there's no doubt that we live in a highly visual age, probably the most visual age in human history. 00:01:22.019 --> 00:01:30.859 It wasn't always like this. In the ancient world, of course, it wasn't quite as visual as it is today. Maybe an odd cave painting here or there, but it was an oral culture. 00:01:31.560 --> 00:01:36.840 And people would sit around the campfire, and they would tell stories. And these stories would be passed down for centuries. 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:43.299 This is where we get the Gilgamesh epic, or Beowulf, or even Homer's stories. 00:01:43.659 --> 00:01:47.500 And then, for centuries, this was the way of life. And then we have the invention of the printing press. 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:56.040 And then we become a written culture. Published material becomes affordable, and common people can own books, and literacy rates skyrocket. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:02:02.240 And this way of life lasted until just a few years ago, when we became a digital culture. 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:09.699 We don't read books made of paper and ink anymore. We read ones and zeros on a screen. 00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:13.340 Most of us walk around with HD cameras in our pocket. 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:20.240 Seeing is believing has never been more true. We must see to believe. 00:02:21.979 --> 00:02:24.620 But imagine if you lost your ability to see. 00:02:25.139 --> 00:02:30.659 Those of you who may have struggled with visual impairment know how debilitating this condition can be. 00:02:30.659 --> 00:02:34.639 All of life has to change to accommodate this condition. 00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:42.620 Seeing is no longer believing for those who struggle with their eyesight, for those who walk in darkness. 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:47.840 But even more debilitating than physical blindness is spiritual blindness. 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:52.719 This is our condition apart from the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit. 00:02:52.859 --> 00:02:56.159 We're blind to the things of God. We're dead in our trespasses and sin. 00:02:56.159 --> 00:03:02.659 We cannot see our triune God as creator, as redeemer, as the maker of all things new. 00:03:02.780 --> 00:03:06.120 Apart from Christ, we walk in darkness. 00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:10.460 The Word of God speaks quite often about blindness. 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:12.780 In the ancient world, it was much more common than it is today. 00:03:12.859 --> 00:03:18.240 Some scholars estimate as many as much as 10% of the population suffered from some level of blindness. 00:03:19.199 --> 00:03:23.639 This was mainly due to poor sanitation and the unchecked glare of the sun. 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:27.099 And you can imagine how much Moses wished he would have had a pair of sunglasses. 00:03:27.239 --> 00:03:29.059 He's walking around the desert for 40 years. 00:03:29.859 --> 00:03:32.079 This condition was a common part of everyday life, though. 00:03:33.659 --> 00:03:37.619 But when Scripture speaks of blindness, it often refers to a spiritual condition. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:42.599 So in Deuteronomy chapter 16, it refers to corrupt judges whose eyes are blinded. 00:03:43.339 --> 00:03:46.739 Isaiah 44 mentions idolaters who are blind in their false worship. 00:03:46.740 --> 00:03:53.100 We see Jesus repeatedly in the Gospels condemning the scribes and Pharisees for being blind to the ways of God. 00:03:55.159 --> 00:03:57.659 For those with physical blindness, there is no hope to be cured. 00:03:58.680 --> 00:04:01.300 There is no miracle cream or special pill. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:04.480 This condition could not be remedied by self-effort. 00:04:04.840 --> 00:04:08.760 The same is true for spiritual blindness back then and today. 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:11.080 You cannot work your way out of this condition. 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:14.180 You can only look to the work of another. 00:04:15.260 --> 00:04:18.000 The one who can bring us from darkness to light. 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:20.100 And this is why Messiah came. 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:25.180 Only the Messiah can open the eyes of the blind, both physically and spiritually. 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:29.900 It's only through his work that we see the truths of God's word. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:31.819 The greatness of our sin and misery. 00:04:32.819 --> 00:04:37.160 But the offer of forgiveness with God and reconciliation with him. 00:04:37.160 --> 00:04:40.600 And we see this in our passage today here in Mark chapter 8. 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:45.360 First we see that the Messiah has come to heal us of physical blindness. 00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:50.280 And second, the Messiah has come to heal spiritual blindness. 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:58.160 Because Jesus has healed us of spiritual blindness, we must consistently be reminded of the nature of his work. 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:02.379 So first we see that Jesus has come to heal physical blindness. 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:09.060 We see that the disciples, Jesus' disciples, come to Bethsaida. 00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:10.860 They just crossed the Sea of Galilee. 00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:11.800 They come to Bethsaida. 00:05:11.860 --> 00:05:13.759 And they're introduced to this man born blind. 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:17.040 We see his utter dependence upon others to help him. 00:05:17.779 --> 00:05:19.120 He's brought to Jesus. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:25.699 Some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 00:05:27.159 --> 00:05:29.920 He's unable to come to Christ by his own power. 00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:32.300 He cannot reach the Messiah through his own effort. 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:34.140 So his friends lead him to the Savior. 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:40.080 This was no chance encounter that we see in the Gospels where Jesus is walking on the road and someone calls out to him to heal him. 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:40.240 No. 00:05:40.460 --> 00:05:43.720 This was a purposeful seeking out of the Savior. 00:05:45.580 --> 00:05:49.860 Not only do they bring this man to Christ, but once they're there, they beg Jesus to touch him. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:50.759 To heal him. 00:05:51.540 --> 00:05:54.560 They weren't hired by the blind man at some sort of taxi service. 00:05:54.639 --> 00:05:56.759 And they don't just bring him to Jesus and say, 00:05:56.840 --> 00:05:57.740 Okay, I hope it goes well. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:05:57.980 No. 00:05:57.980 --> 00:06:05.540 They bring him to the Savior and they implore him to touch him because they know that he is the one who can make their friend well. 00:06:06.980 --> 00:06:11.920 This blind man has pretty good friends who go out of their way to bring him to the Messiah. 00:06:13.140 --> 00:06:15.259 Just as a side note for us, this is a picture of prayer. 00:06:16.400 --> 00:06:21.900 We cannot bring our friends to the literal feet of Jesus, but we can lift them up to him in prayer. 00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:23.800 Beseech him on their behalf. 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:29.000 Well, Jesus exhibits great compassion to this blind man. 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:33.540 He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:36.980 This blind man who was brought to Jesus is now led by Jesus. 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:41.439 One who is rejected by society due to his blindness. 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:45.639 Yet Christ humbles himself and touches him, comforting him. 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:51.919 Jesus doesn't have the assumption that the disciples had when they see another blind man in John chapter 9. 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:52.860 They say, Who sinned? 00:06:53.659 --> 00:06:56.120 This man or his parents that he was born blind. 00:06:57.000 --> 00:07:04.959 No doubt they're just repeating the common assumption of the day that any debilitating illness was due directly to some person's sin. 00:07:05.039 --> 00:07:05.180 No. 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:10.680 Jesus doesn't look at him as someone to be condemned for his sin, but he's one made in God's image. 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:14.300 And today he would be the object of the Savior's love. 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:21.740 Now, of course, the blind man's friends who brought him to Jesus could have led him out of the city. 00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:25.000 But Jesus personally takes him by the hand. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:29.620 No doubt he's talking to him as they walk out of the city. 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:31.680 He's hearing about his life. 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:33.019 Hearing about his story. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:36.439 This man probably never told about his life to anyone else. 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:39.280 No one asked him how his day was. 00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:40.680 No one cared to know him. 00:07:40.819 --> 00:07:43.019 He spent his life in the fringes of society. 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:47.860 Yet the creator of the world is giving him his undivided attention. 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:56.660 Christ leads him out of the city and away from the crowds in order to focus his entire attention on him. 00:07:56.660 --> 00:08:01.560 You see, at this point in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus begins turning away from the crowds. 00:08:02.080 --> 00:08:03.960 He's away from all the multitudes. 00:08:04.080 --> 00:08:07.560 He says earlier in Mark chapter 8 that he's not there to perform signs. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:11.300 He's there to instruct his disciples on the nature of his Messiahship. 00:08:11.580 --> 00:08:18.520 He cannot be distracted from his duty by the crowds who want him to perform parlor tricks so they can be amused. 00:08:20.960 --> 00:08:21.440 Wow. 00:08:22.280 --> 00:08:25.660 The next thing he does seems highly unusual to us. 00:08:25.660 --> 00:08:28.640 He spits in this man's eyes. 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:32.060 It seems rather disgusting to our 21st century ears. 00:08:32.139 --> 00:08:34.759 But you have to remember, these are the days before hand sanitizer. 00:08:35.560 --> 00:08:38.779 They weren't so worried about every germ as we are today. 00:08:40.180 --> 00:08:44.779 And saliva was actually believed to be a healing agent in the ancient world. 00:08:44.920 --> 00:08:49.080 There are multiple miracles reported involving saliva. 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:59.560 Perhaps the most famous miracle was allegedly performed by the soon-to-be Emperor Vespasian, who is the Roman general who sacked Jerusalem in AD 70. 00:08:59.559 --> 00:09:06.259 Allegedly, allegedly, he healed someone of blindness with saliva, adding to his legend on the way to the Roman throne. 00:09:06.339 --> 00:09:07.259 Who knows if that was true. 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:13.879 So Jesus could have been using this convention for his own act of healing, as he did previously in Mark chapter 7. 00:09:13.939 --> 00:09:15.500 He heals a deaf man using saliva. 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:19.319 Or he simply could have been cleaning dirt from the man's eyes. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:23.460 You can imagine, first century Palestine, it's very dry, very dusty. 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:25.879 This man who doesn't use his eyes, no doubt. 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:27.620 Dirt would build up. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:31.320 Things would have to be cleared away before Jesus can open his eyes. 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:33.200 He knows that this man is about to see. 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:41.060 Either way, this act demonstrates the closeness of attention that Jesus gives this man. 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:43.899 This intimate connection that he has with this blind man. 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:48.299 Again, Jesus touches him. 00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:50.860 This time, a healing touch. 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:55.919 This man who was regarded as defiled, an outcast of society. 00:09:55.919 --> 00:10:00.879 He only would have been touched by others who in some way were defiled themselves. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.620 Yet, Jesus touches him. 00:10:05.899 --> 00:10:14.360 Now, this touch of Christ, this healing touch, is a sign of the age to come, breaking into this present evil age. 00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:18.059 You remember in the Old Covenant, the Old Testament, the Levitical law. 00:10:19.179 --> 00:10:24.899 If you are ceremonially clean, and you touch something that is ceremonially unclean, what happens? 00:10:24.899 --> 00:10:26.600 It's instantly, you're unclean. 00:10:27.319 --> 00:10:31.399 So if you're riding down the road in your ox cart, there's a dead animal blocking the road. 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:33.259 You get down, you move the dead animal out of the way. 00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:34.399 Instantly, you're unclean. 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:36.459 And you must be purified. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:39.340 The unclean corrupts the clean. 00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:43.019 The unholy corrupts the holy. 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:53.120 But now, with Christ's advent, the kingdom of God is at hand, and we get a foretaste of the redemption that is coming. 00:10:54.379 --> 00:11:02.279 Now, when the holy touches the unholy, the unholy is transformed. 00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:06.000 The unholy becomes holy in Christ. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:07.799 We see this throughout the Gospels. 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:10.480 You remember the woman with the issue of blood. 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:15.679 Matthew, Mark, and Luke, both, all three, recount her story. 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:20.080 For 12 years, she has this condition. 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:22.559 Every day of her life, she was unclean. 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:23.460 Can you imagine? 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:26.159 Her daily toil. 00:11:27.320 --> 00:11:29.899 Never once, not knowing a day when she could be clean. 00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:34.360 And she comes to Jesus and touches him. 00:11:34.459 --> 00:11:35.059 And what happens? 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:36.100 Is he defiled? 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:36.860 No. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:40.120 Instantly, she is made clean. 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:45.419 The unholy becomes holy when it comes in contact with the Savior. 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:49.579 The same is true for the prostitutes, the tax collectors, and sinners. 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:51.840 When Jesus hangs out with them, is he defiled? 00:11:51.939 --> 00:11:52.419 Of course not. 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:55.340 He makes them holy. 00:11:56.179 --> 00:11:57.279 They don't corrupt him. 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:58.419 He purifies them. 00:11:58.419 --> 00:12:01.419 This concept is absolutely radical. 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:06.319 And it horrified the first century Jews, the scribes and Pharisees, 00:12:06.599 --> 00:12:10.579 who were so proud of their adherence to the law and their ceremonial cleanliness. 00:12:10.699 --> 00:12:13.860 They would not even come within feet of someone who was unclean. 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:19.339 And they see Jesus touching those who are outcasts and defiled. 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:22.799 And yet, he makes them clean. 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:24.639 He transformed them. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:32.199 And this concept is only beginning with the advent of Christ, the coming of the Holy Spirit. 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:38.740 The kingdom of God is being extended throughout the earth until one day all will be made clean. 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:42.139 All the unholy will be holy. 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:43.819 All will be transformed. 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:46.800 Because Christ will make all things new. 00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:49.040 This is the power of our Savior. 00:12:51.160 --> 00:12:54.920 And he touches the blind man and he asks him for the results. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:55.760 Do you see anything? 00:12:57.760 --> 00:13:00.840 And the blind man gives an interesting response. 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:04.220 And he looked up and said, I see men, but they look like trees walking. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:06.520 He can now see, but only partially. 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:08.340 The healing is not complete. 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:10.940 So Jesus touches him again. 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:13.879 And it seems odd that he would heal in this two-fold manner. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:16.580 It's the only time in the New Testament that we see this. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:19.060 And he does it for a very important reason, which we'll see in a minute. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:23.800 But with this second touch, Mark gives us a three-fold description. 00:13:26.180 --> 00:13:30.139 He opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:33.400 There's no doubt as to the effectiveness of this second touch. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.780 It is complete and total. 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:40.539 Now, most likely for the same reason that Jesus led him out of the village to avoid the crowds, 00:13:41.439 --> 00:13:43.899 he now informs the blind man, do not even enter the village. 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:46.379 Again, Christ is focusing on his disciples. 00:13:46.579 --> 00:13:49.139 He's not there to perform signs for the crowds. 00:13:49.319 --> 00:13:54.620 He's there to instruct the disciples on the nature of his Messiahship. 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:58.240 Now, with this healing of physical blindness, 00:13:59.019 --> 00:14:02.980 Jesus is giving concrete proof that he is indeed the Messiah. 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:07.759 In all of Scripture, only the Messiah opens the eyes of the blind. 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:09.659 Many miracles are performed. 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:11.420 People are even raised from the dead. 00:14:11.800 --> 00:14:15.720 But only the Messiah can open the eyes of those who do not see. 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:18.220 After Christ seals that blind man in John chapter 9, 00:14:18.300 --> 00:14:20.100 the Pharisees question him, and he responds, 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:23.980 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:27.139 opened the eyes of a man born blind. 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:29.779 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:33.480 that when the Messiah comes, the eyes of the blind shall be opened. 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:38.919 In Matthew chapter 11, John the Baptist is in prison. 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:42.419 And he's about to die, and he needs one last confirmation 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:44.759 that Jesus is indeed the Messiah. 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:46.659 That he is who he says he is. 00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:50.519 Perhaps John's expectations of the Messiah's kingdom hasn't come true. 00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:53.700 If the kingdom of heaven is at hand as I've been preaching, 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:54.480 why am I in jail? 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:58.600 And he needs to know that Jesus is the one. 00:14:58.700 --> 00:15:00.620 So he sends his disciples to Jesus and asks him, 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:01.980 Are you the one who is to come? 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:04.200 Or shall we look to another? 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.100 And Jesus does not hesitate. 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:08.259 He says, Go and tell John what you hear and see. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:10.420 The blind receive their sight. 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.820 And he lists other things. 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:14.399 He says, You want proof that I'm the Messiah? 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:15.440 Here's the first proof. 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.879 The blind now see. 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:18.080 That's all the proof you need. 00:15:18.180 --> 00:15:19.519 Only the Messiah can do this. 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:22.980 Only the Messiah opens the eyes of the blind. 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:28.560 We see here in our passage that the Messiah has come to heal physical blindness 00:15:28.560 --> 00:15:29.779 as only he can. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:32.800 But more importantly, he has come to heal spiritual blindness. 00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:35.120 We see this clearly in this passage. 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:38.300 Now what's the blind man's spiritual condition? 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:38.779 We don't know. 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.580 Perhaps he believed. 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.500 We hope he believed. 00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:44.420 But physical healing is not direct proof of spiritual healing. 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:48.139 We know many people in the Gospels who were physically healed by Jesus 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:50.319 and didn't believe in him as Messiah. 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:56.899 But the blind man's lack of spiritual sight is not the most important in this passage. 00:15:57.759 --> 00:16:01.519 It's the disciples' spiritual blindness that is the key. 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:07.000 They are the main focus of this narrative, yet they appear nowhere in it. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:12.039 You see, the main question of the first half of the Gospel of Mark is, 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:12.659 Who is Jesus? 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:14.779 And the disciples repeatedly get this answer wrong. 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.240 They don't know what to make of Jesus. 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:19.139 They think he's the Messiah, but he's not really the Messiah that they were looking for. 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:22.059 And so he feeds the 5,000 in chapter 5. 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:24.100 And then in chapter 8, he feeds 4,000. 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:27.480 And he rebukes the Pharisees for demanding a sign. 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:30.680 And as they're crossing the Sea of Galilee after these events, 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:34.100 he's crossing with the disciples and he uses their lack of bread 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:37.220 to warn them of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:40.519 But the disciples are hung up on the fact that they don't have bread. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:42.860 They're consumed by the God of their bellies. 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:45.620 And they grumble and complain, just like Israel in the wilderness. 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:47.920 So Jesus rebukes them in verse 18. 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:52.180 Having eyes, do you not see? 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:54.399 Having ears, do you not hear? 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:56.139 And do you not remember? 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:59.179 When I broke the five loaves for the 5,000, 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:01.919 how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:02.819 They said to him, 12. 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.700 And the seven for the 4,000? 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:08.779 How many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.599 They said to him, seven. 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:12.099 He said to them, 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:14.720 Do you not yet understand? 00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:18.000 The answer to that question is no. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.400 They don't understand. 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:23.619 They don't really know who he is or what he came to do. 00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:25.899 They don't understand the main theme of the Gospel of Mark, 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.239 which is the king and his kingdom. 00:17:27.739 --> 00:17:29.439 Who is Jesus and what is his mission? 00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:31.679 They're blind to who Jesus is. 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:33.879 And to demonstrate their condition, 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:38.059 Mark basically gives the reader what is a giant sermon illustration. 00:17:39.399 --> 00:17:43.179 The disciples are just as seeing impaired as the blind man 00:17:43.179 --> 00:17:45.079 when he first comes to Christ. 00:17:46.659 --> 00:17:47.879 But there is hope. 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:52.319 Just after this healing comes the centerpiece of Mark's Gospel. 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:54.500 Jesus and the disciples go to Caesarea Philippi. 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.500 Jesus asks the questions, 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:56.799 Who do people say that I am? 00:17:58.639 --> 00:17:59.500 Disciples tell him. 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:00.460 Some say John the Baptist. 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:01.240 Some say Elijah. 00:18:01.899 --> 00:18:02.980 Some say other prophets. 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:07.579 And Jesus asks the most important question that anyone can ask. 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:10.899 Who do you say that I am? 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:16.140 Everyone at some point in life has to answer this question. 00:18:16.300 --> 00:18:17.620 Who do you say Jesus is? 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.519 Is he a great teacher? 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:23.240 Is he a religious sage who taught us to love one another? 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:24.620 Or is he the Son of God? 00:18:25.820 --> 00:18:28.600 If you've never been asked this question before today, 00:18:28.780 --> 00:18:30.440 today is the day to answer. 00:18:30.560 --> 00:18:32.640 Who do you say Jesus is? 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:35.920 Peter answers, 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.759 Thou art the Christ, 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:37.920 the Son of the living God. 00:18:38.340 --> 00:18:39.220 In Matthew's account, 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.340 Jesus tells him, 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:41.860 Flesh and blood didn't reveal this to you, 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:43.060 but the Father who is in heaven. 00:18:43.580 --> 00:18:45.940 Just as the blind man's eyes were opened, 00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:49.580 so too Peter's eyes are now open to who Jesus is. 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.100 He came to this conclusion, 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:53.640 not through careful reasoning and contemplation. 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:56.259 He didn't weigh the evidence and decide in Christ's favor. 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:56.480 No. 00:18:56.560 --> 00:18:58.820 He was completely blind in darkness 00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:00.599 until the Father opened his eyes 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:03.259 and enabled him to see Jesus as Messiah. 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:09.539 So, imagine being in a first century church 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:13.919 and we receive our copy of the Gospel of Mark in the post. 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:16.659 You know this is how it took place in the first century. 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:20.339 Paul or one of the gospel writers would write a letter, 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.159 they'd write a gospel, 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:24.379 and they would send it by a messenger through the postal route. 00:19:24.899 --> 00:19:26.000 And so what would happen is 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:27.460 the church would gather together 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:31.140 and the messenger would bring the letter or the gospel 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:32.740 before the congregation. 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:35.059 They would all be there in one place 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:37.160 and he would read the entire letter. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:39.039 He'd read the entire gospel in one city. 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:40.700 And incidentally, 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:43.620 if you've never listened to the Gospel of Mark on audio, 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.460 check it out. 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:47.880 It's really amazing to hear it aloud. 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:49.200 You can find it on the internet. 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.200 It takes about 90 minutes 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:51.400 if you listen all the way through. 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:53.779 And the action comes alive. 00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:56.819 This is how it was originally meant to be consumed. 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:57.599 You've heard it. 00:19:58.139 --> 00:20:00.039 And the Gospel of Mark is like a comic book. 00:20:00.159 --> 00:20:02.819 There's just action taking place one right after the other. 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:04.319 Jesus is doing such amazing things 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:06.919 and this really comes alive when you hear it audio. 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:10.960 And so we would be gathered together 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:13.319 and we'd hear the messenger reading the Gospel. 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:15.919 And we would hear the first chapters of the Gospel of Mark 00:20:15.919 --> 00:20:17.119 and the disciples are confused. 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:18.379 They don't know what to make of Jesus. 00:20:18.879 --> 00:20:20.059 And then we get to chapter 8 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.740 and he tells them, 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:22.279 you have eyes but you don't see. 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:22.679 And we think, 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.799 they're not getting it. 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:24.339 What's wrong? 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.759 And then we hear the story of the blind man 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.159 and we think, 00:20:26.459 --> 00:20:27.579 why is this happening now? 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.659 And then we hear Peter's confession 00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.179 and we think, 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:31.059 yes, they get it. 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:32.019 The disciples see. 00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:32.480 Finally. 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:36.279 But then the messenger keeps reading 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:38.919 in verse 31 of chapter 8. 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.579 He began to teach them 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:44.359 that the Son of Man must suffer many things 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.740 and be rejected by the elders 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:48.039 and the chief priests and the scribes 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:48.500 and be killed 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.939 and after three days rise again. 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:53.320 And he said this plainly. 00:20:54.320 --> 00:20:55.360 And Peter took him aside 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:56.600 and began to rebuke him. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:59.340 But turning and seeing his disciples, 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.660 he rebuked Peter and said, 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.740 get behind me, Satan. 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.600 For you are not setting your mind 00:21:04.600 --> 00:21:05.660 on the things of God 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:07.019 but on the things of man. 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.059 It can't be. 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:12.259 They recognize Jesus as Messiah 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:14.620 but not the crucified King. 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:16.059 They take two steps forward 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:17.600 and one step back. 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:19.400 Their eyes are opened by the Father. 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:23.060 But yet they do not have full sight. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:25.400 They don't see as clearly 00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:27.360 as the blind man did. 00:21:28.540 --> 00:21:30.600 This is why the blind man 00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:32.320 is healed in two stages. 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:34.300 Some critics like to say 00:21:34.300 --> 00:21:36.120 that Jesus didn't have enough power 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:36.960 in the first touch 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:38.320 so he had to have another run at it. 00:21:38.620 --> 00:21:40.100 He just raised Jairus' daughter 00:21:40.100 --> 00:21:40.680 from the dead. 00:21:40.840 --> 00:21:41.900 Of course he can open 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:43.480 the blind man's eyes. 00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:43.780 No. 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:46.220 The blind man is healed partially 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.460 to demonstrate 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.880 the partial sight 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.680 of the disciples. 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:51.019 They think they see 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:53.299 but it's not clear yet. 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:55.640 The disciples see Jesus 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:56.319 as Messiah 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.200 but as the Messiah 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.579 they want him to be. 00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.579 They say, 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.039 oh yes, 00:22:00.120 --> 00:22:00.680 you're the one 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:02.539 for whom Israel has waited. 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.740 You're the one sent from God 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.420 and we're happy 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:06.180 to sit on your right hand 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:06.940 and left hand 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:08.620 as you ride into Jerusalem 00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:09.539 on a white stallion, 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:10.759 overthrow the Romans, 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:12.140 establish your political kingdom. 00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:13.300 We're happy to be part 00:22:13.300 --> 00:22:14.340 of a glorious kingdom 00:22:14.340 --> 00:22:15.700 with a conquering king. 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:19.040 But they wanted no part 00:22:19.040 --> 00:22:20.380 of a suffering Messiah. 00:22:21.600 --> 00:22:22.920 One who was rejected 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:23.620 by elders, 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.100 the chief priests and scribes. 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.020 One who was killed 00:22:26.020 --> 00:22:27.900 by the hands of the Romans. 00:22:28.040 --> 00:22:29.420 That was unthinkable. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:31.880 So unthinkable 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:33.480 that Peter has the gall 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:35.380 to rebuke Jesus 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:37.120 for mentioning such things. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:39.959 The disciples see 00:22:39.959 --> 00:22:41.639 but not yet clearly. 00:22:42.679 --> 00:22:44.219 They wanted the theology of glory. 00:22:44.979 --> 00:22:45.959 He offered the theology 00:22:45.959 --> 00:22:46.599 of the cross. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.599 They wanted a golden throne 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.199 next to his. 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.439 He offered a wooden cross 00:22:50.439 --> 00:22:52.099 on his right and his left. 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.199 They wanted their lives 00:22:53.199 --> 00:22:53.599 to be saved. 00:22:53.659 --> 00:22:53.959 He said, 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:54.919 you must lose it all 00:22:54.919 --> 00:22:55.579 for my sake. 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.399 For what does it profit a man 00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:58.279 if he gains the whole world 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.339 and loses his own soul? 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.779 What does it profit a disciple 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:03.500 if he gains a seat 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:05.119 in the restored kingdom of Israel 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:06.279 if he does not have 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:06.859 the Messiah 00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:08.579 to die for his sins? 00:23:10.459 --> 00:23:11.699 The disciples see 00:23:11.699 --> 00:23:12.579 but not clearly. 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:14.259 They don't see clearly 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:14.959 in chapter 9 00:23:14.959 --> 00:23:15.619 when he foretells 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.559 his death and resurrection. 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:18.019 A second time 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.899 they get confused 00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:19.639 in chapter 10. 00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:20.899 A third time 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:21.459 he foretells 00:23:21.459 --> 00:23:22.299 his death and resurrection. 00:23:22.439 --> 00:23:23.259 You remember after this 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:24.079 it's James and John 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.740 are jockeying 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.639 for the prime seats 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:26.099 in the kingdom. 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.419 They won't see clearly 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:28.719 until after the crucifixion, 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:29.959 after the resurrection, 00:23:30.139 --> 00:23:31.819 and even after the ascension. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.899 It's not until 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:35.059 the day of Pentecost 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.500 when they get 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.359 the full picture 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:37.579 of the crucified king. 00:23:37.959 --> 00:23:39.039 As Peter stands up 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.339 in Acts 2.36 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:40.919 and he says, 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.000 Let all of the house 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.559 of Israel 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.599 know for certain 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:45.539 that God has made him 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.699 both Lord and Christ, 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.359 this Jesus 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.679 whom you crucified. 00:23:48.959 --> 00:23:49.939 They finally get it. 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:51.839 The Lord and Christ 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:53.279 is the crucified Jesus. 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:55.219 No longer do they tell people 00:23:55.219 --> 00:23:55.899 like the blind man 00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:56.599 not to say anything. 00:23:56.679 --> 00:23:56.819 No, 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:58.139 they are now eyewitnesses 00:23:58.139 --> 00:23:59.179 to his resurrection. 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.220 They take the word 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.339 of the suffering Messiah 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:02.519 to the ends of the earth 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.179 as they are empowered 00:24:03.179 --> 00:24:04.059 by the Holy Spirit. 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.919 They realize that Christ 00:24:05.919 --> 00:24:06.779 has died for their sins, 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.399 that he was buried, 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.659 that he was raised again 00:24:08.659 --> 00:24:09.319 for their justification. 00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:11.039 They clearly see 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.579 the truths 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.599 of who Jesus is 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:14.079 and what he came to do. 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:16.319 Their spiritual eyes 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.980 have finally been opened. 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:21.420 Of course, 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.099 we are blessed 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:23.880 to stand on this side 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:24.559 of the cross 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.460 and the resurrection. 00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:26.860 We have the full revelation 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:27.319 of God, 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.299 unlike the disciples here 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:29.039 in Mark chapter 8. 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:31.180 We're privy to the end 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.279 of the grand history 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:32.900 of redemption. 00:24:33.400 --> 00:24:33.900 We've received 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.599 the Holy Spirit. 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.460 We see how Christ 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.039 has sent the gospel 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.880 to the ends of the earth. 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.000 We know that Satan 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.460 is bound 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.599 and that the church flourishes 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.819 and we await our King 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.680 in power and glory. 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.660 But so often 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.420 we want that power 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.079 and glory now. 00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:50.039 We want the triumph 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:51.420 of the age to come today. 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.579 We don't want to suffer 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:54.640 as the church militants. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.400 We want victory 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:56.779 and success in our lives. 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.620 We forget that we live 00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:59.680 in this present evil age 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.360 and we demand 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.120 all the benefits 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:02.099 of the age to come 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:02.819 in this life. 00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:04.819 Like the disciples, 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.839 we want the theology 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.319 of glory 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:08.079 and not the theology 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.720 of the cross. 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.539 The theology of the cross 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.259 is what Martin Luther 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:12.519 called the suffering 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.120 of Christians 00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:14.019 for the cause of Christ. 00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:15.720 Just as Simon the Cyrene 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.720 bore the cross of Jesus 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.779 on the way to Calvary 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:19.160 so too we are called 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:19.680 to suffer 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.859 to carry the cross. 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.099 To suffer for his sake. 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.720 Now this doesn't 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:25.099 earn us any merit 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:25.660 with God. 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.299 It just reminds us 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.019 of the suffering 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.599 of Christ 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.759 and the fallenness 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.480 of this world. 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.879 The theology of the cross 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.519 is contrasted 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.539 with the theology of glory 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:36.240 which seeks to avoid 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.019 the cross of Christ. 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.799 It wants all the benefits 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:40.139 of the age to come 00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:41.099 in the here and now. 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.279 We wonder why 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.200 we should have to suffer 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:45.920 for Christ now. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.580 We want to skip 00:25:46.580 --> 00:25:46.980 the suffering 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.700 and get to the good part. 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.400 Let's get to the end 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:48.900 where we get all 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.420 the good stuff 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:50.799 and fast forward 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.519 through this suffering. 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.420 We want perfect 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:54.279 peace and contentment. 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.559 That's what the disciples 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:56.940 wanted. 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.779 And so often 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.620 it's what we want. 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:03.059 In the 16th century 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.700 there was a pastor 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.920 named Friedrich Myconius 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.940 who wrote 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.940 The History of the Reformation 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:09.580 1517-1542. 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:11.519 And he writes 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.279 of the indulgence 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.799 controversy 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:14.000 in 1517 and 18. 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.099 If you've seen 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.720 the Luther movie 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.279 you remember 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.000 it's a very good movie 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:17.399 by the way. 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.740 You remember 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.659 the indulgences 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:20.199 where Tetzel 00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:21.419 comes rolling into town 00:26:21.419 --> 00:26:22.639 and he's selling indulgences 00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:23.779 which are pieces of paper 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:25.899 that can buy you time 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:26.859 off of purgatory 00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:27.579 for you 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.439 or your loved ones. 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.619 And it's at this time 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:31.379 during the indulgence 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:31.899 controversy 00:26:31.899 --> 00:26:33.379 that Luther is preaching 00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:35.000 in a tiny 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:36.079 broken down chapel 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:37.639 at the Wittenberg 00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:38.159 monastery 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:39.440 and Myconius notes 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.860 that this chapel 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.759 actually resembled 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.860 artists' rendition 00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:44.440 of the stable 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.060 in Bethlehem 00:26:45.060 --> 00:26:45.880 where Christ is born. 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:48.200 And Luther's battling 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.640 Rome 00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:50.120 for selling indulgences 00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:51.300 and Rome 00:26:51.300 --> 00:26:52.300 is using the money 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:52.759 to build 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.860 St. Peter's Basilica 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:54.360 in Rome 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:55.740 which is the height 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:57.240 of wealth 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:58.759 and opulence 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.740 and grandeur. 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:01.060 No place like it 00:27:01.060 --> 00:27:01.700 in the world. 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.540 And Myconius notes 00:27:05.540 --> 00:27:07.900 in this poor 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.400 miserable 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.240 wretched chapel. 00:27:10.800 --> 00:27:11.840 God let His dear 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:12.460 Holy Gospel 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.240 and the dear 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:13.840 child Jesus 00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:14.680 be born again 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.840 in these last times. 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.660 That's the theology 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:18.160 of the cross. 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.580 But our memories 00:27:20.580 --> 00:27:21.380 are so short 00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:22.780 and we know 00:27:22.780 --> 00:27:23.259 that Christ 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.780 has made us 00:27:23.780 --> 00:27:24.440 a new creation 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.060 and He's granted 00:27:25.060 --> 00:27:25.700 a citizenship 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.620 in the heavenly kingdom 00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:27.160 but we want 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:28.040 that kingdom now 00:27:28.040 --> 00:27:29.120 and so we grumble 00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:30.019 and we complain 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.820 and we grow cynical 00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:31.720 and we wonder 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.640 why we hear bad news 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.120 from the doctor 00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:33.820 and we wonder 00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:34.340 why we suffer 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:35.220 financial hardship. 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:37.440 But the good news 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:37.740 is 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:39.400 that even though 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:40.160 we're forgetful 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:41.440 and we set our minds 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.319 on the things of men 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.380 and not the things of God 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:44.980 our Savior is patient 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.579 with us 00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:46.640 just as He was 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.220 with the disciples 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.680 no matter how many times 00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:50.500 He had to explain 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.299 to the disciples 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.460 the nature 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.259 of His kingdom 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.579 and who He was 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.160 as Messiah 00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:55.920 not once 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:57.240 does He lose 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.660 His temper. 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:58.880 He doesn't fire 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.559 His disciples 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.400 and hire new ones. 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:00.640 No. 00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.100 Our Savior 00:28:02.100 --> 00:28:03.360 knows our weaknesses 00:28:03.360 --> 00:28:04.200 and He knows 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:04.840 that our memories 00:28:04.840 --> 00:28:05.320 are short 00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:06.060 and He's always 00:28:06.060 --> 00:28:07.240 long-suffering with us 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.040 despite our 00:28:08.040 --> 00:28:09.180 daily return 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:10.180 to partial sight 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:11.340 and our focus 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:12.019 on ourselves. 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:13.960 But we have 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.720 even better news 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:16.860 than the disciples 00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.519 originally had. 00:28:17.560 --> 00:28:18.180 We have the Holy Spirit 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:18.980 who's there to help us. 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.600 Jesus tells His disciples 00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:21.840 it's better that I go away 00:28:21.840 --> 00:28:23.060 because I will send 00:28:23.060 --> 00:28:24.400 a comforter to you. 00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:25.740 We have this advocate 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.840 who dwells within us 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:28.000 to convict us 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.880 of our short-sightedness 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:30.400 remind us of the Gospel. 00:28:30.560 --> 00:28:31.540 He's there to strengthen us 00:28:31.540 --> 00:28:32.540 to sanctify us 00:28:32.540 --> 00:28:33.660 even when we don't feel like it 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:35.500 even when life is a struggle 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.520 the Holy Spirit 00:28:36.520 --> 00:28:37.200 is there for us. 00:28:37.260 --> 00:28:38.000 He is the one 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:39.380 as Chuck preached this morning 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:40.760 our roots go deep 00:28:40.760 --> 00:28:42.360 into the Word of God. 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.240 Who brings our roots 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.660 down there? 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.640 The Holy Spirit. 00:28:45.280 --> 00:28:46.400 He is bringing us 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:47.160 to Christ. 00:28:47.300 --> 00:28:48.240 He's reminding us 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:49.400 of all the promises 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:50.120 that we have 00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:50.680 in Him. 00:28:52.520 --> 00:28:53.680 So we must not allow 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.660 our eyes that see 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.980 go back to partial sight. 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:57.840 The Messiah has come 00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:58.520 to heal us 00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.299 of spiritual blindness 00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:00.240 as only He can 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.119 and this is why 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:01.980 we must consistently 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.619 be reminded 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.960 of who Jesus is 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.740 and the nature 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.319 of His kingdom. 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.579 We must look forward 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.119 to the day 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:09.279 when He returns 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:10.279 in power and glory 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.039 for it is then 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:12.740 that we will experience 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:14.039 the kingdom of God 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.720 in its fullness 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:16.139 and we shall be like Him 00:29:16.139 --> 00:29:18.420 for we shall see Him 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:20.059 just as He is. 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:21.819 Let's bow together 00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:22.160 in prayer. 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:27.580 Our merciful God 00:29:27.580 --> 00:29:29.779 who is pleased 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.500 to condescend 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.180 and to speak to us 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:31.680 through Your Word 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.660 grant us the grace 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.740 that we may not be 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.840 mere hearers of Your Word 00:29:34.840 --> 00:29:35.720 but doers also. 00:29:36.800 --> 00:29:37.640 Give us the grace 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.420 of Your Holy Spirit 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.279 that we may believe 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:40.060 what has been promised 00:29:40.060 --> 00:29:40.620 to us. 00:29:41.600 --> 00:29:42.440 May we bring glory 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.540 and honor to Your name 00:29:43.540 --> 00:29:44.500 in all that we do 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.500 as You conform us 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.460 to the image of Your Son 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.519 Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:49.619 All of this Father 00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:50.980 we ask in the name of Christ. 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.180 Amen.