WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.360 Well, if you have your Bible with you, you can open it up to the Gospel of John. 00:00:09.700 --> 00:00:11.640 The Gospel of John, chapter 9. 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:14.599 We're making progress. 00:00:14.980 --> 00:00:17.559 We made it out of chapter 8, now we're into chapter 9. 00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:26.039 And things are already been interesting, but they're getting even more interesting as we go. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.439 John, chapter 9, and we're starting in verse 1. 00:00:39.299 --> 00:00:41.200 John, chapter 9, verse 1. 00:00:42.259 --> 00:00:47.460 As Jesus went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:54.179 Now, the way that John starts out this section, we don't get a lot of detail as to when this happens. 00:00:54.179 --> 00:01:01.000 It's possible that this took place immediately or soon after he slipped away from the temple courts, 00:01:01.119 --> 00:01:03.780 which we heard last Sunday as they tried to kill him. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:08.079 Jesus has been here in Jerusalem for the Festival of Tabernacles. 00:01:09.019 --> 00:01:12.659 And the next major event in the story comes in chapter 10, verse 22, 00:01:12.819 --> 00:01:15.719 and that's the Festival of Dedication, or Hanukkah. 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:19.379 And there's about a three-month span in between those two events, 00:01:19.379 --> 00:01:23.479 and so this happens somewhere in the middle, in between those two things. 00:01:23.879 --> 00:01:29.159 And we do know that Jesus is still here in Jerusalem at this time. 00:01:30.099 --> 00:01:31.619 So John 9, verse 1. 00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:36.959 As he went along, Jesus, he saw a man blind from birth. 00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:43.819 Notice who saw the man that was blind from birth. 00:01:43.819 --> 00:01:48.879 It doesn't say they, as in Jesus and his disciples, but he. 00:01:49.619 --> 00:01:52.919 Jesus was the one who took notice of this man. 00:01:54.039 --> 00:01:57.139 This man was likely begging, as we'll learn from verse 8. 00:01:58.599 --> 00:02:00.500 Jesus took notice of this man. 00:02:00.619 --> 00:02:01.539 He saw him. 00:02:02.519 --> 00:02:05.179 And that right there is beautiful. 00:02:05.180 --> 00:02:11.099 How many of us are tempted to look away when we catch a glimpse of someone with a disability 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:14.040 in front of us or coming towards us? 00:02:15.200 --> 00:02:23.819 How many of us see but don't really see or pay attention to the poor man begging in the street? 00:02:25.740 --> 00:02:28.800 Jesus saw people in those situations. 00:02:31.480 --> 00:02:33.540 He saw a man blind from birth. 00:02:33.539 --> 00:02:37.819 His disciples asked him, 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:40.639 Rabbi, who sinned? 00:02:41.239 --> 00:02:43.479 This man or his parents? 00:02:43.819 --> 00:02:45.239 That he was born blind? 00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:49.459 Now I'm going to guess that if Jesus hadn't seen this man, 00:02:49.539 --> 00:02:53.500 the disciples would have probably been content to just walk right on by him 00:02:53.500 --> 00:02:56.060 without really giving any thought to him. 00:02:56.139 --> 00:03:00.639 But because Jesus first sees this man and focuses in on this man, 00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:05.399 the disciples also turn and focus on this man. 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:12.119 But the first thing out of their mouths, it seems, is not the most sensitive or compassionate thing, 00:03:12.119 --> 00:03:13.359 is it? 00:03:14.519 --> 00:03:15.839 They have a question. 00:03:17.259 --> 00:03:18.119 Who sinned? 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:21.319 This man or his parents? 00:03:21.819 --> 00:03:23.259 That he was born blind? 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:29.000 At best, they're simply curious about the cause of his being born blind. 00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:33.780 And at worst, they're being self-righteous and judgmental here. 00:03:33.780 --> 00:03:37.500 I don't know just what's going on in their hearts as they ask this, 00:03:37.699 --> 00:03:41.199 but it seems clear in the minds of the disciples 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:45.500 that this man was born blind as a punishment from God 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:47.960 for somebody's sin. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:52.139 And they want to know whose sin was it? 00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:54.259 Whose fault is it? 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:59.219 For whose sin is this man being punished with blindness? 00:03:59.219 --> 00:04:05.520 Now, it's difficult to imagine just what they're thinking here. 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:07.520 They kind of got two questions. 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:10.159 Is it his fault or is it the parent's fault? 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:12.659 I don't know how it could be his fault. 00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:17.660 How could a man be born blind as a punishment for his own sin? 00:04:18.579 --> 00:04:22.860 He hadn't even had the opportunity to sin prior to his birth. 00:04:23.540 --> 00:04:26.740 Although apparently there was this whole discussion amongst the rabbis 00:04:26.740 --> 00:04:29.759 about whether a pre-born child could sin in the womb. 00:04:31.460 --> 00:04:34.079 Or did the disciples think that maybe he was born blind 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:36.560 as a punishment for sins that he would later commit? 00:04:37.860 --> 00:04:38.680 I don't know. 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:43.460 Or was it because of his parents that he was born blind? 00:04:43.660 --> 00:04:44.780 Something that they did. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:47.340 Again, what do they mean by this? 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:51.920 Maybe they're thinking back to some of those passages in the Old Testament 00:04:51.920 --> 00:04:55.819 where God says that he will punish the children of people 00:04:55.819 --> 00:04:58.080 who are wicked to the third and fourth generation. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:02.920 And even that opens a whole other discussion about what does that even mean? 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:06.040 Does God do that? 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:09.939 Or is it that the parents' sins have these consequences, 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:15.080 these natural consequences that ripple down into the third and fourth generation? 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:18.360 Maybe like substance abuse can cause birth defects. 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:21.280 Is that what the disciples are referring to? 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:23.960 Well, we don't know what the disciples are referring to, 00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:26.360 but they have it in their mind that somebody is guilty, 00:05:26.620 --> 00:05:30.240 and that's why this man has been born blind. 00:05:30.500 --> 00:05:31.860 Is it him? Is it his parents? 00:05:33.160 --> 00:05:34.800 Jesus answers their question. 00:05:36.020 --> 00:05:36.600 Verse 3. 00:05:37.960 --> 00:05:42.020 Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, 00:05:42.019 --> 00:05:48.839 but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 00:05:50.279 --> 00:05:54.539 So it wasn't because of some specific sin that this man had committed, 00:05:54.539 --> 00:06:00.099 and it wasn't because of a specific sin that his parents had committed, 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:02.479 that he was born blind, says Jesus, 00:06:02.779 --> 00:06:09.279 but literally in order that the works of God might be displayed in him, 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:12.819 this man was born blind. 00:06:14.239 --> 00:06:16.879 Now for some of us, this is a difficult truth to swallow. 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:21.599 And we can try and fiddle here with what Jesus is saying 00:06:21.599 --> 00:06:23.679 and try to make it come out a little bit differently, 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:27.899 but it's pretty hard to escape the plain sense of what Jesus is saying, 00:06:27.899 --> 00:06:33.319 that this man was born blind for a purpose, 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:38.919 according to the plan and purpose of God, 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:47.939 so that in order that God might cause his works to be displayed in him. 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:52.739 Now just how God brought it about that he was born blind, we don't know. 00:06:53.659 --> 00:06:54.620 Jesus doesn't say. 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:59.079 And of course God never does what is evil or unjust. 00:06:59.780 --> 00:07:03.300 I don't believe that he struck this child with blindness in the womb. 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:09.459 Probably in some way sin and its general effects on human life, 00:07:10.040 --> 00:07:12.959 things like disease and sickness and even birth defects, 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:14.939 is just probably how it came to be. 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:17.259 We live in a world that is broken, 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:23.139 and even now our bodies are subject to death and to disease and even defects. 00:07:23.139 --> 00:07:26.939 Because of what happened long ago in the garden. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:30.579 But I also believe that God could have remedied this. 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:36.839 In that very moment as he was knitting this child together in his mother's womb, 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:40.719 he could have, in an instant, by his power, 00:07:41.539 --> 00:07:43.199 remedied his eyes, 00:07:43.599 --> 00:07:46.339 so that they would have developed normally, 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:48.959 that he could have seen if he had chosen to. 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:51.519 But he didn't. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:58.219 Because he had a purpose for him being born blind. 00:07:59.180 --> 00:08:00.599 A good purpose. 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:03.219 A wonderful purpose. 00:08:03.859 --> 00:08:10.159 Something so wonderful that it would outweigh all the years of groping about in the dark by a thousand times. 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:13.000 And what was his purpose? 00:08:13.220 --> 00:08:13.680 It says, 00:08:14.280 --> 00:08:15.020 Jesus says, 00:08:15.460 --> 00:08:19.080 that the works of God might be displayed in this man. 00:08:20.020 --> 00:08:26.879 So that this man and other people might see what God would do for this man someday in the future. 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:30.560 So let's see what God does for him. 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:32.660 Verse 4. 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:36.160 Jesus continues to speak. 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:36.600 He says, 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:37.879 As long as it is day, 00:08:38.219 --> 00:08:41.059 we must do the works of him who sent me. 00:08:42.219 --> 00:08:43.419 Night is coming, 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:45.819 when no one can work. 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:48.839 While I am in the world, 00:08:49.459 --> 00:08:52.579 I am the light of the world. 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:56.179 Jesus is about to heal this man. 00:08:56.299 --> 00:08:57.100 We all know that. 00:08:57.379 --> 00:08:58.399 But before he does, 00:08:58.459 --> 00:09:00.819 he just has a couple more words that he wants to say. 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:03.659 He wants us to hear before he does this. 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:07.679 He could have just skipped these words and just straight up healed him. 00:09:07.819 --> 00:09:12.779 But I think there's something in these particular words that Jesus wants us to hear 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:18.120 and to understand before we see what he's about to do. 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:19.600 He says, 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:20.839 As long as it is day, 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:23.679 we must do the works of him who sent me. 00:09:25.319 --> 00:09:25.799 Okay. 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:28.379 What does that mean? 00:09:29.839 --> 00:09:30.559 He says, 00:09:30.659 --> 00:09:31.579 Night is coming, 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:33.799 when no one can work. 00:09:35.559 --> 00:09:36.039 Okay. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:38.059 What does that mean? 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:42.000 While I am in the world, 00:09:42.519 --> 00:09:44.579 I am the light of the world. 00:09:46.199 --> 00:09:46.379 Hmm. 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:50.099 Imagine that you're one of Jesus' disciples, 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:51.479 standing there, 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:52.659 as he says this. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:54.519 What do you take from these words? 00:09:54.519 --> 00:10:01.740 What questions are coming into your mind to ask Jesus in this moment? 00:10:03.139 --> 00:10:03.799 At first, 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:07.799 Jesus seems to be talking about how we need to work while we still have the light of day. 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:09.639 And if I'm there, 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:10.740 I'm probably wondering, 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:11.000 well, 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:14.699 what does this have to do with the man that's blind here? 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:17.639 Are you going to do the work of healing him, 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:20.759 and then we're going to keep on working until sunset? 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:24.600 Or is this a lesson of sorts? 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:28.600 Are you giving us a lesson that we need to, 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:35.080 we need to do the work that God has given us to do while we have opportunity to do it? 00:10:37.080 --> 00:10:40.179 But then Jesus says something really metaphorical. 00:10:40.299 --> 00:10:40.639 He says, 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:42.279 while I am in the world, 00:10:42.679 --> 00:10:46.879 I am the light of the world. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:48.960 So, 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:52.419 are you talking about actual daylight? 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:57.259 Or working during a literal day like today? 00:10:57.439 --> 00:10:58.059 Or if not, 00:10:58.100 --> 00:10:59.399 then what does the day represent? 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:00.819 What does the night represent? 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:03.019 Why can't we work at night? 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:06.159 I would have had my hand up for sure at this point. 00:11:06.419 --> 00:11:07.439 What do you mean, 00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:07.779 Jesus? 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:10.159 I got all kinds of questions. 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:13.419 But I don't think Jesus would have stopped to answer them. 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:18.220 Because Jesus is focused in on something here. 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:20.720 And we see this in the next verse. 00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:23.340 While I am in the world, 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:24.860 I am the light of the world. 00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:27.840 Saying these things, 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:30.240 or after saying these things, 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:31.579 he spit on the ground, 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:35.060 made some mud with the saliva, 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:37.280 and put it on the man's eyes. 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:38.960 Go, 00:11:39.540 --> 00:11:40.280 he told him. 00:11:41.040 --> 00:11:43.060 Wash in the pool of Siloam. 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:45.580 This word means sent. 00:11:46.780 --> 00:11:47.759 So the man went, 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:49.280 and washed, 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:51.980 and came home seeing. 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:55.820 Now I have no doubt that the disciples 00:11:55.820 --> 00:11:58.140 probably thought all this was rather weird. 00:11:58.139 --> 00:12:01.259 But now think of this, 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:02.600 all of this, 00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:05.199 from the perspective of the blind man. 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:09.080 I want everyone here just to close your eyes for a second. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:10.120 Close your eyes. 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:14.759 What do you see with your eyes closed? 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:22.500 Imagine that this is all you have seen 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:24.200 for your entire life. 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:27.240 Since the day you remember anything, 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:28.500 this is what you have known. 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:31.840 Oh, the world is rich with sounds, 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:32.580 and music, 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:33.439 and smells, 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:34.279 and tastes. 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:37.080 Everything has a very distinct feel to it, 00:12:37.080 --> 00:12:38.540 but this thing called seeing, 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:40.400 and colors, 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:42.460 and beauty, 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:45.360 sunrises and sunsets, 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:47.460 you've never experienced it before. 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:53.360 Verse 8 says, 00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:56.000 his neighbors and those who had formerly seen him, 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:57.040 begging, 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:58.040 asked, 00:12:58.039 --> 00:13:02.120 isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg? 00:13:03.719 --> 00:13:04.699 So this man, 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:06.459 being blind all his life, 00:13:07.579 --> 00:13:08.939 eventually came to the place 00:13:08.939 --> 00:13:11.199 where his parents were no longer able to support him. 00:13:11.839 --> 00:13:13.259 He was unable to work. 00:13:14.679 --> 00:13:15.620 And so what did he do? 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:17.539 He sat there on the ground, 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:18.179 and he begged, 00:13:18.719 --> 00:13:21.679 so that he could get enough to live on. 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:25.219 So imagine it. 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.460 And there you are, 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:28.340 sitting in darkness. 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:31.519 And along come these guys, 00:13:32.060 --> 00:13:33.060 and the next thing you know, 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:36.180 one of them is claiming to be the light of the world. 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:38.259 Light. 00:13:39.660 --> 00:13:43.379 That's always a word that you've had a hard time really grasping. 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:45.960 Something you've heard so much about, 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:47.600 but it's never really meant much to you. 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:50.340 And then you hear someone spitting, 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.759 like imagine this, 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:58.899 and the next thing you feel is someone smearing mud onto your eyes. 00:13:59.939 --> 00:14:02.779 And then he tells you to go wash yourself at the pool of Siloam. 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:06.220 This would have been weird. 00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:09.679 But now think about this. 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:12.539 What would it feel like, 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:16.580 after decades of never having seen, 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:21.360 to open your eyes for the first time? 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:24.800 And to have all the colors, 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:25.980 and beauty, 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:28.139 and light of the world flood into you, 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:29.379 and to see it. 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:31.560 To look down into the water, 00:14:31.680 --> 00:14:32.899 and see your own face, 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:33.840 your own reflection. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:38.500 I bet it was the happiest, 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.899 and most joyful day, 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:42.480 of this man's entire life. 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:47.659 Now what was the last thing that Jesus said, 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:50.259 before this man had that experience? 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:53.220 He heard Jesus say, 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:56.639 I am the light of the world. 00:14:58.420 --> 00:15:01.440 Do you think that those words meant a little bit more to him, 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.980 than they did to the disciples? 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:06.399 I think so. 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:08.740 Unlike the disciples, 00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:11.779 this man truly understood what it was like, 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:13.200 in a very tangible way, 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:15.120 to live in darkness. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.759 To be always groping. 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:20.220 Always feeling around. 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.320 Always listening. 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:23.600 Not certain about what was happening, 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:24.940 all around him. 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:28.540 The beauty of light, 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:30.600 and the miracle of seeing, 00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:32.380 is something that we so easily take for granted, 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:32.920 isn't it? 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:37.000 And I think this is why Jesus said what he did, 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:39.620 before he healed this man. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:43.140 As long as it is day, 00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:46.140 we must do the works of him who sent me. 00:15:46.260 --> 00:15:47.220 Night is coming, 00:15:47.800 --> 00:15:48.980 when no one can work. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:51.860 While I am in the world, 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:55.680 I am the light of the world. 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:59.120 So Jesus very intentionally gets them thinking, 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:02.860 about the contrast between day and night. 00:16:03.800 --> 00:16:05.720 And we must work during the day, 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:07.800 and we're unable to work at night. 00:16:08.060 --> 00:16:08.800 And I think, 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:11.060 at least one of the things he means, 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:13.879 this is intended to get us thinking about light, 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:16.480 and how we need it. 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:20.240 We need it to be able to see the world around us. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:24.019 And then Jesus makes that declaration. 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:27.600 I am the light of the world. 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:34.279 I am the one who enables you to see in this world. 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.200 To see, 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.759 to know, 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:41.419 to understand what's really going on around you. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:44.759 This is how seeing works. 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:45.919 Most of you know this. 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:48.939 There's a light source, 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:51.319 and light comes from the source, 00:16:51.439 --> 00:16:52.860 and it bounces off of everything, 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:53.959 and into our eyes. 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:55.919 Our eyes are like these amazing, 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:58.419 sophisticated, 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:01.079 satellite receiver balls, 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:02.759 for photons. 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:06.940 Imagine yourself just sitting in a room, 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:10.819 in darkness. 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:14.799 Without a light source of some kind in that room, 00:17:14.899 --> 00:17:16.339 you barely know what's in the room. 00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:20.359 You could be sitting in the middle of the most beautifully decorated, 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:22.960 beautifully furnished room on the planet, 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:24.879 and be completely unaware of it, 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:28.000 if there is no light source in that room. 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:31.599 But the moment that that switch is turned on, 00:17:32.879 --> 00:17:36.159 you see exactly how everything is, 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:37.500 in all its beauty. 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:40.660 How things really are in that room. 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:43.160 This is what Jesus is getting at. 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:48.700 He is the light source that God has provided for the people of the world. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:51.160 And without him, 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:54.779 the people of the world are like people in that dark room. 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.440 We grope about. 00:17:57.599 --> 00:18:00.279 We're trying to figure out what's going on all around us. 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.500 Trying to make sense of life. 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:03.660 Trying to make sense of why we're here. 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:09.140 Of what's the deal with pain and suffering and evil and injustice in our world. 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:17.000 But Jesus is the one who shines like a light being turned on in that dark room. 00:18:17.620 --> 00:18:20.960 Enabling us to see what's really going on. 00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:21.820 What's true. 00:18:22.360 --> 00:18:23.740 The truth of who we are. 00:18:23.840 --> 00:18:27.140 The truth of how glorious and beautiful God is. 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:31.340 How does it work? 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:33.820 Through his teaching. 00:18:34.820 --> 00:18:35.800 His message. 00:18:36.060 --> 00:18:36.740 His words. 00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:38.820 And even the things he did. 00:18:39.060 --> 00:18:39.660 Through all of it. 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:42.020 He is shining light upon everything. 00:18:46.300 --> 00:18:48.800 And we take that light in by listening. 00:18:49.520 --> 00:18:52.560 And watching carefully the things that he did and said. 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:56.359 But what's amazing here to me. 00:18:56.679 --> 00:19:02.679 Is that Jesus proves that he is the one who enables us to see. 00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:05.539 It's no coincidence that he says this. 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:09.819 Right before he does this miracle for the man. 00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:15.299 He proves that he is the one who can enable us to see in the world. 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:18.460 By enabling this physically blind man. 00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:19.879 To see. 00:19:19.880 --> 00:19:23.180 It's amazing what Jesus did that day. 00:19:24.320 --> 00:19:24.700 I mean. 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:27.600 This is not just fixing something that's been broken. 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:29.060 For a little while. 00:19:29.580 --> 00:19:32.500 This is giving a man something that he has never had. 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:32.980 Ever. 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.320 In his life. 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.160 From the day he was born. 00:19:36.300 --> 00:19:37.460 The ability to see. 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:41.900 This is something that no ophthalmologist can do. 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:45.760 An amazing work of God's power. 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:47.420 But it's more than just a miracle. 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:49.160 It's a sign. 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:52.300 And it demonstrates more than just power. 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:56.840 It's a sign that confirms that Jesus is the one who enables us to see. 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:58.900 In the darkness of this world. 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:02.340 That he is the light of the world. 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:06.300 The one who enables us to see clearly in the greater, deeper sense. 00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:08.700 What is true. 00:20:09.540 --> 00:20:10.240 In the world. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:10.280 In the world. 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:10.899 No. 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:18.819 Thank you. 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:26.700 Thank you. 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:35.720 So his neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:38.620 asked the man after he had regained his sight, 00:20:39.580 --> 00:20:41.539 or they asked one another, they said, 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:44.200 Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg? 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:47.180 Answer in the original language, 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:49.860 Yes, we think it is. 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.600 Some claim that he was. 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.980 Others said, No. 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:57.120 He only looks like him. 00:20:58.220 --> 00:21:01.259 But the man himself insisted, I am the man. 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:04.960 Well, how then were your eyes opened? 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.920 They asked. 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:13.480 He replied, The man they called Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:17.380 He told me to go to Siloam and wash, so I went and washed, 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.500 and then I could see. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.480 Where is this man? 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.660 They asked him. 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.759 I don't know. 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.559 He said. 00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:29.200 Think about it. 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:34.599 He wouldn't have been able to even describe what Jesus looked like to these people. 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:38.799 It's a beautiful story, and we're going to continue it next week. 00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:40.460 It's part of a larger story here. 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:45.339 But what can we take from what we have seen and heard this morning? 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:47.699 I've got five things. 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:54.099 First of all, and most importantly, do you know that Jesus is the light of the world? 00:21:55.720 --> 00:22:03.039 Do you know that it's by his words that you can see clearly in this life and know the truth? 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:05.420 It's quite the claim to make. 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:06.019 It's quite the claim to make. 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:10.879 But look at what Jesus did to prove that he is the light of the world. 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:15.659 He enabled a man born blind to see for the first time in his life. 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:23.360 And if Jesus can do that, then he can enable us to see clearly in this world, as he says. 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:29.320 So have you accepted and embraced him for yourself as the light of the world? 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:32.919 Number two. 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:37.000 People with disabilities. 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.859 Jesus saw them. 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:44.379 He moved towards them. 00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:45.919 He engaged with them. 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.859 He loved them. 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:50.059 And so should we. 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:55.700 May each of us be known for seeing and moving towards people with disabilities. 00:22:56.139 --> 00:22:57.879 They are precious in God's sight. 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:04.259 Number three. 00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:12.439 Not every suffering or hardship or sickness is the result of a person's sin. 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:15.079 Some of them might be. 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:23.399 God brought sickness upon people in the Bible at various times and places as punishment for specific sins. 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:27.220 And he may do so at times today. 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:40.819 But what Jesus says here, I think, clearly helps us see that not every sickness or trouble or hardship or disability is upon people because of some specific sin that they have committed. 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:48.000 If Jesus basically told his disciples in this moment, you guys are asking the wrong question. 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:50.980 You guys have a wrong assumption here. 00:23:51.179 --> 00:23:58.740 Then we ourselves should stop asking that question about people who we see in our world today who are suffering. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:02.779 Or who are sick or who are going through a rough time. 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:07.039 It could be that God is punishing them for something. 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:09.460 But it also may not be. 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:27.319 May those of us who have received mercy instead of the punishment that we deserve be first to show mercy towards other people and pray God's very best for anyone and everyone, no matter what they have done. 00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:29.220 We've all sinned. 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:33.600 And we all fall short of the glory of God. 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.180 Number four. 00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:51.380 Do you know that God has a purpose for disabilities, sicknesses, suffering, cancer, strokes, and troubles of all kinds? 00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:57.680 God can make any of these things go away with a word for any of us. 00:24:59.020 --> 00:25:02.780 And sometimes, like this man, he does heal us in an instant. 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:09.100 But sometimes he decides not to heal us or not to take it away. 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:18.900 And when he does, we can be absolutely confident that God has a purpose for allowing that to remain in our lives. 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:21.820 Just like he did for this man here. 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:25.280 It may not be exactly the same as it was for this man. 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:32.420 God chose not to heal his eyes as he was knitting him together in his mother's womb. 00:25:34.300 --> 00:25:38.780 Because he had planned that later on, this child would be the recipient of a miracle. 00:25:39.300 --> 00:25:42.060 A great miracle that would make him a sign. 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:49.019 And would result not only in his own salvation, but in the salvation of countless people all around him. 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:51.960 His neighbors seeing the work of God in his life. 00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:56.179 And people throughout the ages hearing of this and reading this. 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:58.399 Who would be saved through him. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:01.659 God had a great purpose for it. 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:06.820 And so whatever you or your loved ones are going through right now. 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:11.000 Know that God has a purpose for it. 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:15.100 And if you love God and belong to him. 00:26:15.800 --> 00:26:18.880 Then you have his word that it's a good purpose. 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:22.960 As Paul said in his letter to the church at Rome. 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:25.519 Familiar verse, Romans 8.28. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:35.039 And we know that in all things, God works them together for the good of those who love him. 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:36.920 And are called according to his purpose. 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:41.200 And one day, we will look back on all the pain. 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.879 And the suffering. 00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:44.299 And the hardship. 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:46.180 And the health issues. 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:50.379 And we'll see just how God brought something spectacular. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.900 And wonderful from it. 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:55.380 And we'll even thank him. 00:26:56.560 --> 00:26:59.259 For the times when we asked that he would take it away. 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:02.880 And yet he said, my grace is sufficient for you. 00:27:04.060 --> 00:27:06.120 So do not lose heart or be discouraged. 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:10.440 God has a purpose for whatever you're going through right now. 00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.720 Number five. 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.740 Last one. 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:20.120 If Jesus is the light of the world. 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:22.820 If he's the one who enables us to see. 00:27:23.800 --> 00:27:26.920 Then shouldn't we be all the more eager to spend time with him. 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.240 Every day. 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.780 Reading his words. 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.860 Reading about what he did. 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:35.580 Thinking about those things that he said. 00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:39.660 How they apply to everything in life. 00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:43.900 Where are you looking for your answers? 00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:45.320 To your questions. 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.940 Where are you looking for wisdom? 00:27:49.080 --> 00:27:50.700 For perspective in life? 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:54.779 I hope it's not mainly YouTube. 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.460 Or social media. 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.480 Or the news. 00:27:58.080 --> 00:27:59.860 They can make almost anything look right. 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:01.660 By casting things in a certain light. 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:04.559 But Jesus is like the sun. 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.580 When the sun rises. 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:09.100 The whole world around us is brightened up. 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:10.819 And we can see clearly. 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:12.279 Exactly how things are. 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:15.359 So let's seek after his light. 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.920 On any matter. 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.960 Before we look. 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.339 Anywhere else. 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:22.799 Let's pray. 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:29.019 Father in heaven. 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:31.079 Thank you for sending your sun. 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:33.319 To be light for us. 00:28:33.859 --> 00:28:35.639 Thank you for creating this world. 00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.839 This beautiful world. 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:37.819 That we live in. 00:28:39.399 --> 00:28:41.740 And which you've made into a living parable. 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:43.180 For us. 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.980 Thank you that. 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:47.279 We can know the truth. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:49.420 Because of Jesus. 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:53.839 And thank you that you set us free. 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:56.059 You give us hope. 00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:58.899 You give us purpose and meaning. 00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:01.259 And that one day. 00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:03.139 We have the hope of glory. 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:05.799 We can't wait for that day Lord. 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:08.099 Carry us in the meantime. 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:10.240 Make us an encouragement. 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:12.220 To others around us. 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.119 We love you. 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.799 And we pray these things in Jesus name. 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:17.059 Amen.