WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.519 Well, very good morning and welcome to our church service this morning. 00:00:08.679 --> 00:00:12.780 Great to be able to be with you. 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:18.240 We pray that together we would hear God speak in his words 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:23.719 and that we would enjoy being able to worship at our homes. 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:30.759 I want to begin with words from a letter that Peter wrote, a friend of Jesus, 00:00:30.899 --> 00:00:35.060 called Peter, 1 Peter chapter 1, verses 3 and 4. 00:00:35.159 --> 00:00:39.019 And here we read these wonderful words. 00:00:53.719 --> 00:01:11.159 Now we're going to read in our Bibles a short reading today from Matthew chapter 8. 00:01:12.039 --> 00:01:13.519 Matthew chapter 8. 00:01:13.739 --> 00:01:17.400 And we are going to read just the first four verses. 00:01:17.660 --> 00:01:21.040 And hopefully the words will come up on the screen as well 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:24.900 so you can read along if you don't have access to a Bible. 00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:31.400 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 00:01:32.580 --> 00:01:35.980 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 00:01:35.980 --> 00:01:40.200 Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean. 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:43.620 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 00:01:44.120 --> 00:01:46.480 I am willing, he said, be clean. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:49.920 Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 00:01:50.680 --> 00:01:54.200 Then Jesus said to him, see that you don't tell anyone, 00:01:54.740 --> 00:02:03.280 but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded as a testimony to them. 00:02:04.240 --> 00:02:06.120 And we'll leave our reading there. 00:02:06.120 --> 00:02:09.879 So we've been thinking, we started last week thinking, what is faith? 00:02:09.939 --> 00:02:11.920 And again, we're on that topic this week, 00:02:11.960 --> 00:02:15.840 thinking about the fact that true faith leads to deep restoration. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:19.439 And we're going to see that in the life of this man that Jesus meets. 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:23.259 I want to begin with a little bit of travel. 00:02:24.259 --> 00:02:28.599 Years ago, I went with some school friends to Crete. 00:02:29.060 --> 00:02:32.580 And we happened to visit an island called Spinalonga. 00:02:33.420 --> 00:02:34.659 I'm sure that's not how you say it. 00:02:34.659 --> 00:02:36.340 I'm not sure if any of you have been there. 00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:44.980 Well, Spinalonga was a leper colony for the nation of Greece from 1913 until 1957. 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:51.699 At its peak, there were some 400 inhabitants. 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:59.080 Those who were suffering from horrible boils and those debilitating nerve conditions. 00:02:59.080 --> 00:03:01.580 And so you have the loss of sensation. 00:03:03.040 --> 00:03:07.620 Those inhabitants had been shunned by their communities, 00:03:07.880 --> 00:03:10.480 often by their families out of fear as well. 00:03:11.100 --> 00:03:13.040 There was a great stigma attached. 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:19.719 And so when a Greek contracted leprosy, 00:03:20.419 --> 00:03:23.659 their property was seized by the state. 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:26.680 Their citizenship was cancelled. 00:03:27.959 --> 00:03:32.419 They were then transported to Spinalonga. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:35.359 They received no medical care. 00:03:35.459 --> 00:03:38.780 And effectively, they were deported there to die. 00:03:38.780 --> 00:03:44.759 An insight into the fear that leprosy brought. 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:48.259 And the tragic life of a leper. 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:51.479 In our current crisis, 00:03:52.139 --> 00:03:56.300 I wonder if this is the first time that we've been able to, 00:03:56.420 --> 00:04:00.500 as in a sense, enter into, even in a tiny part, 00:04:01.080 --> 00:04:03.000 the life of a leper. 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:07.420 The tragedy and the loneliness of that kind of life. 00:04:07.419 --> 00:04:09.799 We discovered in the Old Testament and the New Testament 00:04:09.799 --> 00:04:13.699 that someone with leprosy, they had to wear a sign saying they were unclean. 00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:16.399 If they were close to someone else, they had to shout, 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:18.019 unclean, unclean. 00:04:18.819 --> 00:04:23.039 They weren't allowed contact with anyone apart from a fellow leper. 00:04:23.500 --> 00:04:26.839 They had to live outside the community. 00:04:27.959 --> 00:04:33.419 They would be avoided to avoid potentially contracting the illness. 00:04:33.420 --> 00:04:39.840 So theirs was a self-isolation that lasted until death. 00:04:40.780 --> 00:04:45.660 And we can begin to feel just something of what that must have been like. 00:04:46.680 --> 00:04:48.280 Now, Matthew in his gospel, 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:53.500 in chapters 5 to 7 that we didn't read, 00:04:53.920 --> 00:04:55.660 last week we were in chapter 4, 5 to 7, 00:04:56.300 --> 00:04:58.700 we're presented with Jesus, the amazing teacher. 00:04:58.699 --> 00:05:01.479 He preaches the most famous sermon in history, 00:05:01.599 --> 00:05:02.579 the Sermon on the Mount. 00:05:03.120 --> 00:05:05.039 And now in chapters 8 to 10, 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:09.759 he focuses our attention on Jesus with amazing power. 00:05:10.579 --> 00:05:12.379 There are 10 miracle stories. 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:13.699 And among those miracle stories, 00:05:13.740 --> 00:05:16.139 we're also going to see evidence of faith. 00:05:17.060 --> 00:05:19.839 So today, let's see together, 00:05:19.959 --> 00:05:22.620 how do we see the faith of this leper? 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:24.379 What does faith look like in his case? 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:29.620 And what does the restoration of Jesus look like for the leper? 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:32.620 And then what does that mean for us? 00:05:33.659 --> 00:05:37.879 So let's begin with some lessons from a leper on faith. 00:05:38.019 --> 00:05:41.639 The first thing to notice is that he is humble. 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:45.300 Now, as Matthew tells the story of Jesus, 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:46.920 we see the focus changes, 00:05:47.019 --> 00:05:50.300 as it were moving from a panorama 00:05:50.300 --> 00:05:54.600 where there are huge crowds who follow Jesus up the mountain 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:58.199 and he teaches and then they follow him back down the mountain. 00:05:59.420 --> 00:06:01.480 Matthew changes now to a zoom lens, 00:06:02.100 --> 00:06:06.819 focuses us in verse 2 on a man with leprosy. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:09.540 And just before we move on, 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:12.639 that's a helpful reminder of how God sees us 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:13.920 and how God deals with us. 00:06:13.960 --> 00:06:16.600 He doesn't see us just as a mass of humanity. 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:18.939 He wants to deal with you, 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:20.120 to speak with you, 00:06:20.260 --> 00:06:22.800 to know you personally. 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:26.460 Now, what do we learn about this leper? 00:06:26.580 --> 00:06:28.860 Well, we're told that this man with leprosy, 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:30.280 he came and verse 2, 00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:33.140 he knelt before Jesus. 00:06:33.300 --> 00:06:37.160 This is the posture of a lesser before a greater. 00:06:37.939 --> 00:06:39.800 As it were, he recognises, 00:06:40.340 --> 00:06:41.500 I am the servant 00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:44.580 and Jesus is master, 00:06:44.580 --> 00:06:45.600 Jesus is king. 00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:47.920 Notice too, 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:50.379 there's no demand on his part. 00:06:51.720 --> 00:06:53.379 What does he say to Jesus? 00:06:53.540 --> 00:06:54.000 In verse 2, 00:06:54.140 --> 00:06:56.060 Lord, if you are willing, 00:06:56.520 --> 00:06:58.520 you can make me clean. 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:01.600 So he knows 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:03.939 that Jesus has the power to heal. 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:06.000 But, 00:07:06.460 --> 00:07:08.340 he doesn't presume on it. 00:07:09.340 --> 00:07:11.760 He doesn't stand before Jesus and demand, 00:07:11.760 --> 00:07:14.080 this is my right that you heal me. 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:17.339 He doesn't know, 00:07:17.979 --> 00:07:20.120 will Jesus be like everyone else? 00:07:20.120 --> 00:07:21.959 If I come close to him, 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:25.459 will he body swerve around me? 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:27.459 So we see 00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:29.399 faith is humble 00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:31.560 in the life of this leper. 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:33.099 And second, 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:34.019 it's very basic, 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:35.599 but it's very important to recognise 00:07:35.599 --> 00:07:37.319 that he comes in his need. 00:07:37.319 --> 00:07:40.199 Now let's just imagine for a moment 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:41.439 what is involved 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:43.759 in this leper coming to Jesus 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:44.519 in his need. 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:46.579 He is going to most likely 00:07:46.579 --> 00:07:48.620 have to face 00:07:48.620 --> 00:07:50.439 the stigma 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:52.740 and the disapproval 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:53.680 of others, 00:07:54.039 --> 00:07:55.800 perhaps to see the fear 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:57.300 in their face 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:58.500 as he walks by. 00:07:59.420 --> 00:08:01.300 He will need to announce, 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:02.720 he will need to shout 00:08:02.720 --> 00:08:05.079 his uncleanness 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:06.900 in order for him 00:08:06.900 --> 00:08:07.860 to gain access 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:09.180 to Jesus. 00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:10.780 And even while 00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:12.040 he's on that journey, 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:13.939 he knows there is that possibility 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:15.980 of being rejected. 00:08:18.160 --> 00:08:19.379 So then what is it 00:08:19.379 --> 00:08:20.720 that motivates him 00:08:20.720 --> 00:08:23.720 to take this risk? 00:08:25.400 --> 00:08:26.500 Well, he has 00:08:26.500 --> 00:08:27.620 leprosy. 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:29.220 Leprosy has often been described 00:08:29.220 --> 00:08:30.620 as the death 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:32.580 before death. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:35.100 So he knows 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:36.519 his great need. 00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:38.460 And, 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:40.060 as his words tell us, 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:41.120 he knows 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:43.539 Jesus is his only hope 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:45.080 of salvation 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:46.620 and restoration. 00:08:47.320 --> 00:08:48.299 So he comes humbly 00:08:48.299 --> 00:08:49.740 and he comes 00:08:49.740 --> 00:08:50.980 in his need. 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:52.220 Now let's apply 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:52.940 these lessons 00:08:52.940 --> 00:08:54.460 to our lives 00:08:54.460 --> 00:08:55.320 for a moment. 00:08:55.320 --> 00:08:57.980 I wonder 00:08:57.980 --> 00:08:59.160 if today 00:08:59.160 --> 00:09:00.160 you find yourself 00:09:00.160 --> 00:09:01.460 tuning in 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:02.560 to this church service, 00:09:02.660 --> 00:09:03.000 maybe even 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:04.000 to other church services 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:04.900 out of a sense 00:09:04.900 --> 00:09:06.640 of desperation. 00:09:08.060 --> 00:09:08.620 Where it's not 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:09.160 leprosy, 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:10.040 but perhaps 00:09:10.040 --> 00:09:11.660 it's the COVID virus 00:09:11.660 --> 00:09:12.820 and its impact 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:13.460 that's turning 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:14.020 your life 00:09:14.020 --> 00:09:15.020 upside down. 00:09:16.520 --> 00:09:17.200 And maybe 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:18.020 you realise 00:09:18.020 --> 00:09:18.500 you need 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.780 help that comes 00:09:19.780 --> 00:09:20.920 from beyond yourself. 00:09:22.280 --> 00:09:22.840 Well, 00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:23.320 let me say 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:23.960 that to come 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:24.580 to God 00:09:24.580 --> 00:09:25.820 to come 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:26.480 to Jesus 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:28.240 is to come 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:28.879 to the right 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:29.800 source of help. 00:09:31.800 --> 00:09:32.860 I was thinking 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:33.639 about the 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:34.980 FA Cup hymn, 00:09:35.660 --> 00:09:36.800 Abide With Me. 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:38.180 Some of the words 00:09:38.180 --> 00:09:38.820 that we find 00:09:38.820 --> 00:09:40.080 there are helpful. 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:42.540 So in 00:09:42.540 --> 00:09:43.740 the first verse 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:45.500 we hear, 00:09:46.040 --> 00:09:46.660 when other 00:09:46.660 --> 00:09:47.820 helpers fail 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:50.080 and comforts 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:50.420 flee, 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:52.000 help of the 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:52.400 helpless, 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:53.139 O 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:54.980 abide with me. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:57.299 And then 00:09:57.299 --> 00:09:58.220 in verse 2, 00:09:58.879 --> 00:09:59.360 the prayer 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:00.279 continues, 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:01.740 change and 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:02.500 decay 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:04.139 in all 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:05.240 around I see, 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:06.980 O thou 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:07.240 who 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:07.779 changes 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:08.419 not, 00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:10.079 abide 00:10:10.079 --> 00:10:11.360 with me. 00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:13.679 When we feel 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:14.659 there's no one 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:15.639 else that can 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:16.240 help us, 00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:17.079 when we feel 00:10:17.079 --> 00:10:17.879 everything, 00:10:18.299 --> 00:10:19.100 it is turning 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:19.740 to dust 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:20.360 and decay, 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:23.080 it is wise 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.639 to look 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:25.200 to the 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:26.000 unchanging 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:27.259 and good 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:28.200 God, 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:29.080 to Jesus 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:30.139 as the 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:30.480 good 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:31.040 saviour. 00:10:33.040 --> 00:10:34.420 Christian faith 00:10:34.420 --> 00:10:35.800 is about 00:10:35.800 --> 00:10:36.960 humble trust 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:38.639 and dependence, 00:10:39.060 --> 00:10:39.540 and not just 00:10:39.540 --> 00:10:40.000 sometimes, 00:10:40.100 --> 00:10:40.840 but all of the 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:41.100 time. 00:10:41.680 --> 00:10:42.460 From the beginning 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:43.220 of the Christian life 00:10:43.220 --> 00:10:43.720 to the end 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:44.440 of the Christian life, 00:10:44.440 --> 00:10:45.000 we never 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:45.860 outgrow 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:46.840 that need 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:47.300 of Jesus, 00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:47.960 our saviour 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:48.340 and elder 00:10:48.340 --> 00:10:48.740 brother, 00:10:49.340 --> 00:10:50.040 that need 00:10:50.040 --> 00:10:51.020 of God, 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:51.500 our Father, 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:51.940 that need 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:52.420 of the Holy 00:10:52.420 --> 00:10:52.880 Spirit 00:10:52.880 --> 00:10:54.060 to be working 00:10:54.060 --> 00:10:55.060 in our lives. 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:57.799 on our 00:10:57.799 --> 00:10:59.439 daily exercise 00:10:59.439 --> 00:11:00.399 break as a 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:00.699 family, 00:11:00.839 --> 00:11:01.299 we quite 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:02.639 often find 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:03.039 ourselves 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:04.299 either cycling 00:11:04.299 --> 00:11:06.179 or walking 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:08.179 to one of 00:11:08.179 --> 00:11:09.079 the places 00:11:09.079 --> 00:11:09.539 nearby, 00:11:09.699 --> 00:11:10.039 we're near 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:11.099 Blackford Hill 00:11:11.099 --> 00:11:12.000 and Holyrood 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:12.399 Park, 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:14.079 and almost 00:11:14.079 --> 00:11:14.779 without fail, 00:11:14.959 --> 00:11:15.619 the boys will 00:11:15.619 --> 00:11:16.500 find some 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:17.779 rocks to 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.439 climb on, 00:11:19.179 --> 00:11:19.639 and even 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:20.000 though they're 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:20.639 getting older 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:21.619 and more 00:11:21.619 --> 00:11:22.059 confident, 00:11:22.599 --> 00:11:23.459 sometimes I'll 00:11:23.459 --> 00:11:24.139 still hear 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.480 one of 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:26.419 them say, 00:11:26.580 --> 00:11:26.919 Dad, 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:27.699 help me, 00:11:27.939 --> 00:11:28.240 as they're 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:28.699 struggling to 00:11:28.699 --> 00:11:29.019 get up a 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.480 particular rock 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:30.960 face. 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:34.039 No matter 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:35.519 what our 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:36.179 age, 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:37.639 no matter 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.279 what our 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:39.559 stage in 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:40.019 the Christian 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:40.319 life, 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:40.879 whether we 00:11:40.879 --> 00:11:42.819 are looking 00:11:42.819 --> 00:11:43.279 to begin, 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:43.779 have just 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:44.220 begun or 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:44.460 have been 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:44.860 a Christian 00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:45.480 for years, 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:46.580 that needs 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:47.259 to be our 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:47.740 attitude. 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:49.360 Father God, 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:50.139 help me. 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:51.539 I need 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:52.319 wisdom to 00:11:52.319 --> 00:11:52.679 know how 00:11:52.679 --> 00:11:53.240 to live 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:53.939 well, 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:55.580 I need 00:11:55.580 --> 00:11:56.779 your peace 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:57.299 today, 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:58.500 I need 00:11:58.500 --> 00:12:00.179 your protection 00:12:00.179 --> 00:12:00.799 today, 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:02.639 I need 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.039 to hear 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:03.799 your voice 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.580 above all 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:05.000 the other 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:05.759 voices in 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:06.179 my life 00:12:06.179 --> 00:12:06.439 today. 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:07.480 Father God, 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:08.439 help me. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:09.519 Faith is 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:10.279 humble and 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:10.939 dependent all 00:12:10.939 --> 00:12:11.379 the time. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:13.799 And also, 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.559 before we 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:16.080 move on, 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:17.539 leprosy 00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:19.720 is helpful 00:12:19.720 --> 00:12:21.019 in providing 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:21.799 a picture 00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:23.120 of our 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:23.599 greatest 00:12:23.599 --> 00:12:24.159 need. 00:12:25.339 --> 00:12:25.979 If we 00:12:25.979 --> 00:12:26.379 want to 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:26.599 learn 00:12:26.599 --> 00:12:27.099 lessons, 00:12:27.199 --> 00:12:27.979 one lesson 00:12:27.979 --> 00:12:29.079 that this 00:12:29.079 --> 00:12:29.500 man can 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:29.899 teach is 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:30.120 our 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:30.839 great 00:12:30.839 --> 00:12:31.259 need. 00:12:31.959 --> 00:12:32.479 So the 00:12:32.479 --> 00:12:32.919 Bible is 00:12:32.919 --> 00:12:33.799 really clear 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:34.359 about the 00:12:34.359 --> 00:12:35.159 reality of 00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:35.519 sin, 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:36.339 our 00:12:36.339 --> 00:12:37.379 disobedience 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.779 against God 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:39.299 and against 00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:39.839 his word, 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.240 our rejection 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:41.799 of his 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:42.539 rule in 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:43.079 our life, 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.399 our failure 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.479 to love 00:12:45.479 --> 00:12:45.959 God and 00:12:45.959 --> 00:12:46.459 to love 00:12:46.459 --> 00:12:47.819 others as 00:12:47.820 --> 00:12:48.500 we should 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:50.120 so that 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:51.860 we are 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:53.020 by nature 00:12:53.020 --> 00:12:53.600 without 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:54.240 Jesus 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:55.379 spiritually 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:56.040 dead 00:12:56.040 --> 00:12:57.680 even 00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:58.080 while 00:12:58.080 --> 00:12:58.620 we 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:58.920 live. 00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:01.540 We find 00:13:01.540 --> 00:13:02.180 ourselves 00:13:02.180 --> 00:13:03.379 separated 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.180 because of 00:13:04.180 --> 00:13:05.480 sin from 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:06.540 life with 00:13:06.540 --> 00:13:06.860 God, 00:13:06.920 --> 00:13:07.460 that's how 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:07.800 we were 00:13:07.800 --> 00:13:08.379 made, 00:13:09.260 --> 00:13:10.480 and we 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:11.020 are facing 00:13:11.020 --> 00:13:11.480 his 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.220 judgment 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:13.980 and the 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:14.540 certain 00:13:14.540 --> 00:13:15.320 reality 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:16.759 of eternal 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.720 separation 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:19.200 from God 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:19.600 and all 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:19.960 that is 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:20.320 good. 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:21.920 Our 00:13:21.920 --> 00:13:22.580 condition 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:23.680 is 00:13:23.680 --> 00:13:24.420 serious. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:25.960 And just 00:13:25.960 --> 00:13:26.460 as it was 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:27.279 with leprosy, 00:13:27.420 --> 00:13:27.980 so with us 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:28.580 it will take 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:29.300 a miracle 00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:30.759 to cure 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.240 us by 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:31.720 ourselves. 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:32.279 We cannot 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:32.980 change that 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:33.440 condition. 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:34.820 And that's 00:13:34.820 --> 00:13:35.180 where the 00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:35.879 Bible offers 00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:36.460 such good 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:37.000 news to 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.340 us, 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.399 because it 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:39.100 presents to 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:39.420 us this 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:40.840 miracle of 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.379 God's 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:41.759 saving 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.360 grace. 00:13:42.819 --> 00:13:43.360 And we 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.000 see that 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.439 at the 00:13:44.439 --> 00:13:45.279 cross of 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:45.759 Jesus, 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:46.740 where Jesus 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:47.419 will give 00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:48.100 his own 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:48.519 life, 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:49.539 he will 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:50.000 die so 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:50.379 that we 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.340 might live. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.360 He will 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.299 take on 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.159 himself our 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:54.840 sin and 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:55.700 its punishment 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:56.500 so that we 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.620 might be 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:58.480 forgiven. 00:13:59.439 --> 00:14:00.059 He will 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:01.279 face being 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:02.639 abandoned so 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.279 we can be 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.340 adopted into 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:05.100 the family 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:05.819 of God, 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:07.220 restored to 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:07.720 the life 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:08.519 that we 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.100 were made 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:09.559 for. 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:11.399 So there 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:11.720 is good 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.159 news even 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:12.439 as we 00:14:12.439 --> 00:14:12.799 see the 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:13.299 bad news 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:13.519 of our 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:13.659 own 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.100 condition. 00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:16.860 So having 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:17.240 looked at 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:17.799 the faith 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:18.179 of the 00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:18.559 leper, 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.340 it's important 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:20.699 that we 00:14:20.699 --> 00:14:21.199 look at 00:14:21.199 --> 00:14:21.819 the deep 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:23.019 restoration 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:25.600 of Jesus. 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:26.779 There are 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:27.360 two highly 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.139 significant 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:29.179 details for 00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:29.699 the leper 00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:31.039 and for 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:31.600 us to 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:31.980 take out 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:32.379 of this 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.079 short 00:14:33.079 --> 00:14:33.379 reading. 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.079 The first 00:14:34.079 --> 00:14:35.759 is the 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:37.579 touch of 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:38.180 Jesus. 00:14:38.180 --> 00:14:38.780 Verse 00:14:38.780 --> 00:14:39.300 three, 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:40.320 Jesus 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:41.040 reached out 00:14:41.040 --> 00:14:41.620 his hand 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.420 and touched 00:14:42.420 --> 00:14:43.120 the man. 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.160 I am 00:14:44.160 --> 00:14:44.520 willing, 00:14:44.660 --> 00:14:45.160 he said, 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.000 be clean. 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:48.520 Immediately he 00:14:48.520 --> 00:14:49.280 was cleansed 00:14:49.280 --> 00:14:49.580 of his 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:50.160 leprosy. 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:52.059 some of 00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:52.319 you I 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:54.179 know are 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:55.439 finding as 00:14:55.439 --> 00:14:55.819 the days 00:14:55.819 --> 00:14:56.159 and weeks 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.399 go by that 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:57.860 this is a 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:58.259 time of 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:59.279 real hardship 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.579 because you 00:15:00.579 --> 00:15:01.500 feel starved 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:02.219 of company 00:15:02.219 --> 00:15:03.459 and maybe 00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:04.179 especially 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:05.339 starved 00:15:05.339 --> 00:15:05.839 of 00:15:05.839 --> 00:15:07.500 contact. 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.419 We have 00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:11.019 in our own 00:15:11.019 --> 00:15:11.939 personal experience 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:12.779 stories and 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.919 we know 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:14.839 from news 00:15:14.839 --> 00:15:15.579 reports stories 00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:16.699 of babies 00:15:16.699 --> 00:15:17.419 being born 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:18.519 and families 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:18.939 who cannot 00:15:18.939 --> 00:15:19.419 visit, 00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:21.259 loved ones 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.039 being buried 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:24.179 and friends 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:24.699 and family 00:15:24.699 --> 00:15:25.259 members that 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:25.979 can't gather. 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:28.379 Friendships 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:29.519 are being 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:30.179 missed. 00:15:31.599 --> 00:15:32.139 Important 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:33.120 events 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:34.339 are being 00:15:34.339 --> 00:15:34.919 cancelled 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:35.519 because we 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.259 cannot be 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.740 close together 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:39.419 and sometimes 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:40.039 that two 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:40.319 metre 00:15:40.319 --> 00:15:41.240 separation 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:43.759 can feel 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.079 like a 00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:44.360 Grand 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:44.799 Canyon, 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:45.399 can't it? 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:47.720 I wonder 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.679 how long 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:49.759 had this 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:51.079 man been 00:15:51.079 --> 00:15:51.899 facing the 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.519 reality 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:54.079 of no 00:15:54.079 --> 00:15:54.639 contact 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:54.899 and 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:56.220 total 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:56.819 isolation. 00:15:57.579 --> 00:15:58.179 Imagine 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:58.840 his 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:00.240 unending 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.600 loneliness. 00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:02.840 We have 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:03.779 hope that 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.000 it will 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.620 return. 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:05.819 This man 00:16:05.819 --> 00:16:06.840 had no 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:07.259 hope 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.159 outside of 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:08.579 a miracle. 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:10.000 So in 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.439 Jesus' 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.480 touch 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:13.679 there is 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:14.240 mercy 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:16.860 compassion, 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.700 there is 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.480 love 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:20.919 and there 00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:21.879 is welcome. 00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:23.259 There is 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:24.080 so much 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:25.139 going on 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:25.720 here 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:27.720 and it 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:28.820 reminds us 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:29.779 that we 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.500 are made 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.659 for relationship 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:33.460 and Jesus 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:34.379 our creator 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.500 knows that 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.700 and he 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:37.460 lovingly 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.060 brings 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:39.519 restoration. 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:39.720 relationship 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:47.059 with God. 00:16:47.699 --> 00:16:48.240 And what 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.759 has Jesus 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.340 come to 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:49.579 bring? 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:49.879 Jesus 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.919 brings to 00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:51.539 this man's 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:52.120 life the 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:53.179 very presence 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:54.019 of God 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:54.579 because he 00:16:54.579 --> 00:16:54.860 is the 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.220 son of 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.139 God and 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.699 he brings 00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:57.460 the touch 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.000 of God, 00:16:58.079 --> 00:16:58.539 the healing 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.220 touch of 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.199 God into 00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:01.279 this man's 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:01.699 life. 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:03.779 And let 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:04.359 me say 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:05.900 that Jesus 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.680 wants to do 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.400 that for 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.060 you too. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:09.740 Jesus 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:10.200 doesn't 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.800 change. 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:11.519 He is 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.060 still 00:17:12.060 --> 00:17:13.540 willing to 00:17:13.540 --> 00:17:14.680 respond to 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.300 our need 00:17:15.300 --> 00:17:16.120 if we 00:17:16.120 --> 00:17:16.640 come to 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.340 him in 00:17:17.340 --> 00:17:17.780 faith. 00:17:18.820 --> 00:17:19.480 And so 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:19.820 we are 00:17:19.820 --> 00:17:20.700 invited to 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:22.000 ask him 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.700 for the 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.180 help that 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.500 he is 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.720 willing to 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.620 provide. 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:27.700 The second 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.500 thing to 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.860 notice about 00:17:29.860 --> 00:17:30.320 the deep 00:17:30.320 --> 00:17:31.240 restoration of 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:32.300 Jesus is 00:17:32.300 --> 00:17:32.680 perhaps the 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.620 surprising detail 00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:34.220 of verse 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:35.120 four. 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:36.279 when Jesus 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:36.759 said to 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.079 the man 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:37.500 see that 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:37.879 you don't 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.579 tell anyone 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:39.219 but go 00:17:39.219 --> 00:17:40.439 show yourself 00:17:40.439 --> 00:17:40.799 to the 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.319 priest and 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:41.899 offer the 00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:42.719 gift Moses 00:17:42.719 --> 00:17:44.299 commanded as 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:44.939 a testimony 00:17:44.939 --> 00:17:45.559 to them. 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:45.979 So what's 00:17:45.979 --> 00:17:46.799 this about? 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:48.259 You see 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:48.959 Jesus could 00:17:48.959 --> 00:17:49.579 have sent 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:50.019 the man on 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.439 his way 00:17:50.439 --> 00:17:50.899 as it were 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:51.219 saying well 00:17:51.219 --> 00:17:51.479 go and 00:17:51.479 --> 00:17:51.899 enjoy your 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:52.319 family. 00:17:52.639 --> 00:17:53.039 That's a 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.539 wonderful thing. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.059 Be part of 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.579 the community 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.139 is a great 00:17:55.139 --> 00:17:55.459 thing. 00:17:55.959 --> 00:17:56.239 Perhaps 00:17:56.239 --> 00:17:56.719 find a 00:17:56.719 --> 00:17:57.139 job. 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:58.859 But Jesus 00:17:58.859 --> 00:17:59.500 knows that 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.179 is not 00:18:00.179 --> 00:18:02.219 enough for 00:18:02.219 --> 00:18:03.239 true restoration 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.180 because still 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:04.819 when his 00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:05.220 body is 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:05.740 healed still 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.059 there will 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:06.240 be 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.000 discontent 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.299 still there 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:08.559 would be 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:09.240 disappointment 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:10.299 and ultimately 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:11.900 death would 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:12.200 come. 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:14.720 So verse 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.359 four is 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.240 showing us 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.099 that Jesus 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:17.660 wants the 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:17.980 man's 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.539 restoration 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.200 to be 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.460 deeper. 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:19.920 How do 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.279 we see 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:20.500 that? 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:20.980 Because his 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.900 first priority 00:18:21.900 --> 00:18:24.299 is that the 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:25.740 man go to 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.740 the temple. 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.299 The man 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.380 offer a 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:30.279 sacrifice to 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:30.539 God. 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:31.839 So here's 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.059 what's 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:32.460 happening. 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:33.500 The 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.140 miracle 00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:35.700 that Jesus 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.200 works of 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:36.839 healing the 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:38.079 man makes 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.440 praise and 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.019 worship 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:41.039 possible. 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.279 In 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.180 stretching out 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:43.720 his hands 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.460 to heal 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.359 the leper 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:46.279 he is 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.220 restoring the 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.099 man to 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:48.920 his place 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:49.920 among the 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:50.400 people of 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:50.680 God. 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.460 Now he 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.099 can worship 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:52.980 again. 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.259 And that's 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:56.920 the greatest 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.940 restoration that 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.440 Jesus can 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:58.759 bring. 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.680 As we 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:01.299 bring this 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.660 to a 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.180 conclusion 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.100 let's 00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:04.519 think about 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.080 us 00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:06.320 receiving 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:06.759 this 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.360 deep 00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:07.880 restoration 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:08.320 of 00:19:08.320 --> 00:19:08.620 Jesus. 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:11.240 It's 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:12.279 tempting I 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.580 think to 00:19:13.580 --> 00:19:14.740 seek God 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.480 in a 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.259 crisis 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:18.019 for some 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.420 kind of 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.120 boost 00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:20.660 to see 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.220 us through 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.039 and then 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:22.279 we'll go 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:22.680 back to 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:22.980 the way 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.720 things were. 00:19:24.820 --> 00:19:25.279 But this 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.820 little story 00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:26.600 here reminds 00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:27.060 us that 00:19:27.060 --> 00:19:27.960 God, 00:19:28.080 --> 00:19:28.640 that Jesus 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.900 wants to 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:30.480 go deeper. 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.200 He would 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:32.960 change your 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:34.599 heart and 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:35.339 change your 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:36.140 desires, 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:36.720 not just in 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.120 the short 00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:37.539 term, 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:38.799 but for 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.240 the long 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.680 term and 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.200 for all 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:41.299 eternity. 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.860 He wants 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:43.500 to bring 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.440 a deeper 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.339 healing, 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.380 maybe to 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:46.599 one that 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:46.860 you didn't 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.640 even realise 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:47.980 that you 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.240 needed. 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.200 Maybe to 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:50.940 help illustrate 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.460 this, 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:53.519 I was 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.680 thinking about 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:56.120 last winter. 00:19:56.119 --> 00:19:57.699 So I 00:19:57.699 --> 00:19:58.099 have had 00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:58.459 asthma 00:19:58.459 --> 00:19:59.319 since 00:19:59.319 --> 00:19:59.819 childhood 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.219 and last 00:20:00.219 --> 00:20:00.500 winter, 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.019 I got a 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.259 fairly 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:02.079 significant 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.139 chest 00:20:03.139 --> 00:20:03.779 infection 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.459 and after 00:20:04.459 --> 00:20:04.919 a few 00:20:04.919 --> 00:20:05.819 days 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:07.819 I dragged 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.439 myself to 00:20:08.439 --> 00:20:09.199 the local 00:20:09.199 --> 00:20:09.599 GP, 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.219 effectively 00:20:10.219 --> 00:20:10.699 because I 00:20:10.699 --> 00:20:11.439 wanted relief 00:20:11.439 --> 00:20:11.959 to be able 00:20:11.959 --> 00:20:12.959 to breathe, 00:20:13.419 --> 00:20:13.799 to be able 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.219 to sleep, 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:14.559 all those 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:14.759 kind of 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:14.899 things. 00:20:14.959 --> 00:20:15.279 Well the 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:15.859 nurse and 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.259 the GP 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.879 took one 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:17.219 look at 00:20:17.219 --> 00:20:18.279 me and 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:18.500 they said 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:18.739 yeah we 00:20:18.739 --> 00:20:19.059 can do 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.359 that but 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:19.639 we want 00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:20.019 to go 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.799 deeper. 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.799 So I 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.659 got my 00:20:22.659 --> 00:20:23.659 antibiotics 00:20:23.659 --> 00:20:25.259 and some 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:25.759 time off 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.220 work but 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.339 also over 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.000 the course 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.400 of a couple 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:28.799 of weeks 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:30.319 they did 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.180 some really 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:31.980 helpful things. 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.099 They gave me 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:33.799 new insight 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.279 that I never 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:35.160 had really 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:36.480 about the 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.440 damage that 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:39.200 asthma 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:39.819 untreated 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.539 can do to 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.460 your heart 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:41.940 and to your 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.339 lungs. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.599 They gave me 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:43.839 a new 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:45.460 inhaler and 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.000 gave me even 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.299 a new 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.480 technique for 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.299 taking my 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:49.059 inhaler. 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.140 I wanted 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:50.660 just a bit 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.079 of short 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.879 term relief 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:53.299 but six 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.819 months on 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:54.480 I am so 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.019 thankful, 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:56.220 so thankful 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.440 they wanted 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:57.859 to go 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.200 deeper. 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.779 My quality 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.160 of life 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.799 has been 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.220 enhanced 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.160 no end. 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.759 You might 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.339 want 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:06.720 short term 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.359 comfort 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:09.559 but Jesus 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.619 would want 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:10.980 you to 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.319 go, 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.359 would want 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.039 to go 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.720 deeper 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.480 in your 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:14.779 life. 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:15.799 Jesus 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.519 knows 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.400 your 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:17.759 greatest 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.059 need 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.559 and mine 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.559 love 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.299 and 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:20.399 God 00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:21.299 is 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:22.940 going to 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.539 end 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:23.980 our 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.720 isolation 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.099 from 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:25.480 God. 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.460 That 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:26.779 Jesus 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.039 would 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.339 deal 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:27.559 with 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:27.819 the 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.200 sin 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:28.779 that 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.119 creates 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:29.359 a 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:29.839 barrier 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.539 between 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.000 us 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.500 as sinful 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:31.839 people 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.200 and a 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:32.579 perfectly 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:32.980 holy 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.460 God. 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.379 We were 00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:34.779 made to 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.019 know 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.319 God 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.599 and his 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:35.960 love 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.299 and his 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:36.720 joy 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.759 but sin 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.039 is a 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.359 barrier 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.119 that isolates 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:39.859 Jesus 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.779 wants to 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.220 deal 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.659 with that. 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.019 That's why 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.359 he went 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:42.659 to the 00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:43.259 cross 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.680 and he 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.140 calls us 00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:44.339 to 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:44.740 faith 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.259 so that 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.619 barrier 00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:46.119 would be 00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:46.879 removed. 00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:48.539 And also 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.359 Jesus 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:49.740 knows 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.000 where you 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.559 will find 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.140 deepest 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:51.700 joy. 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:53.119 Deepest 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:53.579 joy 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.099 is found 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.319 in 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.220 enjoying 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:55.500 the 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:55.879 glorious 00:21:55.879 --> 00:21:56.500 love 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:56.960 and 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:57.579 life 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.599 of 00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:58.940 our 00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.460 eternal 00:21:59.460 --> 00:21:59.980 God. 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:01.480 Jesus 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:01.980 knows 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.519 that the 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:02.839 love 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:03.119 and the 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:03.400 joy 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:03.720 that we 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:03.839 are 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.099 looking 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.339 for 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:04.779 ultimately 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.059 can 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.299 only 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:05.519 be 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:05.879 found 00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:06.619 in 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.000 him. 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:08.200 Nothing 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.660 else 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.339 lasts. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:09.759 Nothing 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.220 else 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.900 compares. 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:12.019 So 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.259 this 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.700 Jesus 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:12.940 who 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.600 stretched 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:13.799 out 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:13.980 his 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.480 hand 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.240 to 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.039 restore 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.819 a 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.220 leper 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.059 to 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.759 community 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.279 and 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:19.779 community 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.059 with 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:20.420 God 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:21.200 would 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:21.759 stretch 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:21.980 out 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:22.200 those 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.580 hands 00:22:22.580 --> 00:22:23.160 again 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:24.180 at 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:24.360 the 00:22:24.360 --> 00:22:24.900 cross 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:26.240 so 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.400 that 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:26.620 you 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:27.120 and I 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:27.819 by 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.220 trusting 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:28.480 in 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:28.840 Jesus 00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.640 we 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:29.819 could 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.000 be 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.480 forgiven 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.620 we 00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:31.900 could 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:32.059 be 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:32.340 made 00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:32.779 clean 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.640 we 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:33.920 could 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:34.120 be 00:22:34.120 --> 00:22:34.460 given 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.440 new 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.380 life. 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.180 This 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:38.680 story 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.720 teaches 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:39.940 us 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.080 that 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:40.200 it 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:40.480 takes 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:40.700 a 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.120 touch 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.640 of 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:42.180 Jesus 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:42.799 great 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.460 love 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:44.220 to 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:44.840 produce 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.740 deep 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.980 restoration. 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.600 So 00:22:48.600 --> 00:22:48.840 let me 00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:49.220 encourage 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.400 you 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:49.759 whoever 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.220 you 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.420 are 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:50.759 don't 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.320 settle 00:22:51.320 --> 00:22:52.120 for 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.680 less. 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.880 We're 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.160 all 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:55.940 searching 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:57.560 for a 00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:57.960 love 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.560 and a 00:22:58.560 --> 00:22:59.000 happiness 00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.380 that is 00:22:59.380 --> 00:22:59.779 real 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.100 and that 00:23:00.100 --> 00:23:00.759 lasts 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:02.039 for a 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.360 hope 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:02.680 that we 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.340 can rely 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:03.680 on 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.660 for a 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.100 peace 00:23:05.100 --> 00:23:05.920 that is 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:06.240 deep 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.420 and real. 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:09.420 can 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:09.560 I 00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:09.800 tell 00:23:09.800 --> 00:23:09.940 you 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:10.100 that 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:10.259 what 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:10.420 you're 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:10.720 looking 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.019 for 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.200 is 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:11.720 found 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.600 in 00:23:12.600 --> 00:23:13.180 Jesus. 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:15.680 This 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.120 Jesus 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.580 who is 00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:17.240 willing 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:18.539 and able 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.539 to heal 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:19.860 us 00:23:19.860 --> 00:23:20.660 and to 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.120 restore 00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:21.480 us. 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.400 This 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:22.860 Jesus 00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:23.860 who went 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:24.500 to the 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.019 cross 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:26.480 to bring 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.340 you into 00:23:27.340 --> 00:23:28.360 fellowship 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:29.100 with God. 00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:31.240 So 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.860 come to 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.460 him in 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.000 your need 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.539 whatever 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.220 your need 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.800 is today. 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.700 Come 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:35.960 with 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.399 humble 00:23:36.399 --> 00:23:37.460 dependent 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.000 faith 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.859 and 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:39.419 receive 00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:39.879 his 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:40.799 great 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.139 love.