WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:09.359 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.500 Join us. 00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:21.780 Last week we read the account of Jesus healing a blind man as Pastor Derek helped us see 00:00:21.780 --> 00:00:30.780 Jesus entering into real world suffering and showing us that nothing in our story is wasted. 00:00:32.299 --> 00:00:40.680 Jesus heals this specific blind man in a unique way and on a particular day that creates controversy 00:00:40.680 --> 00:00:44.680 in the rest of John chapter 9 which we're looking at this morning. 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:54.780 He does this because Jesus wants to teach us something about spiritual blindness and spiritual sight. 00:00:55.600 --> 00:01:00.100 Before we work our way through that story let's read the end of it. 00:01:00.460 --> 00:01:07.799 One of the best ways to understand the main points of biblical narratives is often to look 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:14.659 at the end, the climax of the story or sometimes there's a summary at the end of a primary 00:01:14.659 --> 00:01:19.759 point from the author or in this case it's from Jesus himself. 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:27.000 So let's start reading at verse 39 after the climax where the formerly blind man believes 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:33.019 in Jesus and falls at his feet in worship Jesus summarizes what he's showing us. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:43.799 Jesus said for judgment I came into this world that those who do not see may see and those 00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:50.640 who see may become blind. Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things and said to him 00:01:50.640 --> 00:02:00.620 are we also blind? Jesus said to them if you were blind you would have no guilt but now that you say 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:13.560 we see your guilt remains. Jesus came he says to cause this great reversal that the blind 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:22.680 see and the seeing become blind. He's shown us that physically right as he heals this blind man. Now he is 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:34.719 teaching us this about spiritual sight. Spiritual sight comes when we see our own blindness and then see Jesus. 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:45.979 Jesus. This week during spring break my family went up to Kentucky and then we went down underground to a dark cavern. 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:53.639 It was very very dark. I wish that I could create how dark it was in here so you could experience it but 00:02:53.639 --> 00:03:03.159 the windows are too great. Maybe you've been in an underground cavern where you can't see your hand right in front of your face. 00:03:03.219 --> 00:03:09.259 You know what that's like? And it's just completely pitch black dark and that's what it was like. 00:03:09.319 --> 00:03:15.679 It was so dark there were lots of rocks around lots of cliffs places you could trip and fall. 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:25.300 We had to walk a very long way through this underground cavern so they gave each of us these very handy headlamps. 00:03:25.460 --> 00:03:32.420 Have you ever had one of these before? You turn it on and you can't even tell if it's on right now. 00:03:32.480 --> 00:03:37.760 It's so bright in here but you turn your headlamp on and so every time you walk through the cavern 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:44.000 you're able to see where you're going and not end up falling into great injury. 00:03:45.359 --> 00:03:52.620 As I was wearing this I thought about what it would be like to try to find my way through that cavern with the light off. 00:03:54.239 --> 00:04:02.000 How crazy I would be to think yeah I can do this. I'm not going to get hurt. I'll never fall in total darkness. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:10.479 I would have been hurt very quickly if I tried to pretend that I could do it on my own without the light. 00:04:12.039 --> 00:04:24.860 Sight came and life and safety when I admitted that I couldn't find my way around in the dark on my own and clicked on the light. 00:04:27.540 --> 00:04:30.500 Now again that's pretty easy to understand physically right? 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:32.779 That's obvious. 00:04:33.800 --> 00:04:42.060 Just as Jesus has given us physical sight to this man born blind we can understand that. 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:52.500 But in these conversations Jesus is showing us that we are all spiritually blind and maybe that's a bit harder for most of us to see. 00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:59.019 To admit that I don't understand everything about God. 00:04:59.100 --> 00:05:00.980 I even doubt sometimes. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:09.660 To realize that most naturally and many days I live for myself. 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:12.060 For my glory. 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:15.899 That's not spiritual sight. 00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:22.199 To confess these kinds of struggles and in that moment finally see. 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:31.539 We're going to let the story itself be our outline today but I'll give you a couple of questions to ponder as we go. 00:05:33.539 --> 00:05:38.180 Do I really see my own spiritual blindness? 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:40.399 If so how? 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:42.060 What does that look like? 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:54.199 Do I see him for who he truly is? 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:58.379 Consider those questions as we read this story. 00:05:59.379 --> 00:06:01.100 It starts in verse 13. 00:06:01.100 --> 00:06:07.120 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 00:06:07.760 --> 00:06:11.879 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 00:06:11.879 --> 00:06:16.300 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. 00:06:16.900 --> 00:06:21.360 And he said to them he put mud on my eyes and I washed and I see. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:28.960 So some of the Pharisees said this man is not from God for he does not keep the Sabbath. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:30.580 You hear what's happening right? 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:37.360 Immediately the religious leaders, the experts, they're looking for reasons to discredit Jesus. 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:46.000 It appears that Jesus has violated, likely on purpose, one of their man-made Sabbath regulations. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:53.540 Either about mixing clay for pottery possibly or anointing eyes or healing on the Sabbath when it's not life or death. 00:06:54.980 --> 00:06:57.460 And so many of the experts see an open and shut case. 00:06:58.639 --> 00:06:59.840 He broke God's law. 00:07:01.100 --> 00:07:03.379 He's not from God. 00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:09.959 But at least a couple Pharisees are saying, hold on, it's not that easy, y'all. 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:11.600 It's not that simple. 00:07:11.980 --> 00:07:13.659 We can't just dismiss him like that. 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:18.579 How are we going to explain the miraculous signs that Jesus keeps doing? 00:07:18.899 --> 00:07:20.699 He's displaying this power. 00:07:20.860 --> 00:07:22.019 Look, verse 16. 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:28.879 But others said, how can a man who is a sinner do such signs? 00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:31.920 And there was a division among them. 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:34.140 What to do? 00:07:35.379 --> 00:07:40.520 Maybe they think, let's get the one eyewitness, so to speak. 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:43.120 Let's see if we can get him on our side. 00:07:43.400 --> 00:07:49.639 If the formerly blind man says, Jesus is a fraud, is a charlatan, we'll be set. 00:07:50.900 --> 00:07:57.000 So they said again to the blind man, what do you say about him since he has opened your eyes? 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:00.920 And he said, he is a prophet. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:06.259 Now that would be the obvious answer, wouldn't it? 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:08.360 To have power like this. 00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:11.120 This is what prophets did when God sent prophets. 00:08:11.339 --> 00:08:17.480 He sent them with this power to bring signs that validate their message. 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:22.860 They could just all agree that this guy is clearly from God. 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:27.240 But the religious leaders want another answer. 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:31.319 They want to be the ones who know better. 00:08:31.580 --> 00:08:35.759 Who decide what is from God based on their wisdom. 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:39.139 Maybe there hasn't even been a miracle at all. 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:41.460 All of this can be explained scientifically. 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:43.860 Maybe there's nothing special going on here. 00:08:44.180 --> 00:08:49.360 Verse 18, the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:55.320 until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:58.879 is this your son who you say was born blind? 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:01.400 How then does he now see? 00:09:02.540 --> 00:09:08.460 And his parents answered, we know that this is our son and that he was born blind, 00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:12.080 but how he sees, we do not know. 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:14.379 Nor do we know who opened his eyes. 00:09:14.680 --> 00:09:16.019 Ask him, he is of age. 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:17.480 He'll speak for himself. 00:09:18.420 --> 00:09:21.660 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews. 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:26.060 For the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be the Christ, 00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:28.220 he was to be put out of the synagogue. 00:09:29.680 --> 00:09:31.820 Therefore his parents said, he is of age. 00:09:32.400 --> 00:09:33.019 Ask him. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:36.400 The parents don't help at all, do they? 00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:42.740 They affirm that something miraculous has indeed occurred and everyone hears their affirmation. 00:09:43.679 --> 00:09:49.100 Of course, they stop short of saying much about this Jesus, don't they? 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:54.919 Because the experts have already made it clear that those who follow him will not be welcome 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:56.100 in this society. 00:09:56.299 --> 00:09:59.620 And they wriggle out of that part an understandable concern, 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:06.299 given how devastating it would be to be left out of the synagogue and the communal society 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:07.740 of that day. 00:10:09.320 --> 00:10:11.100 So what do the religious leaders do? 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:15.899 They go back to the first witness, to the formerly blind man. 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:20.299 They're going to tighten the screws and get the answer they need to stay in control of things. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:22.120 So this time they just tell him the right answer. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:22.440 Okay. 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:23.940 Verse 24. 00:10:24.900 --> 00:10:28.560 So for the second time, they called the man who had been blind and said to him, 00:10:28.780 --> 00:10:29.920 give glory to God. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.900 We know that this man is a sinner. 00:10:33.520 --> 00:10:37.460 And he answered, whether he's a sinner, I do not know. 00:10:38.660 --> 00:10:44.860 One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:49.000 There's that beloved line. 00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:51.639 What a beautiful testimony. 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:53.500 Here's what I know. 00:10:54.659 --> 00:10:58.399 Once I was blind, now I see. 00:10:59.139 --> 00:11:02.379 He doesn't give a theological treatise on the person of Jesus. 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:07.340 He doesn't explain to them how he is fully God and fully man at the same time. 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:12.940 He doesn't even defend Jesus' Sabbath observance and tell them how it was okay for Jesus to heal 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:14.060 him on a Saturday. 00:11:15.260 --> 00:11:22.080 But he gladly shares what Jesus has done to transform his life. 00:11:22.380 --> 00:11:29.540 I hope all of us who have had Jesus show up in our darkness, in our suffering, and give us light 00:11:29.540 --> 00:11:30.440 and life. 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:34.060 I hope all of us have the joy of testifying to that reality. 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:37.040 You know you don't have to go to seminary in order to do that. 00:11:37.180 --> 00:11:38.140 You're aware of that, right? 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:42.919 You can share your story of God's grace in your life all the time. 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:46.779 We love sharing stories of God's grace here at Southwood. 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.279 Come let us know. 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:51.659 We'll figure out the best way to share yours. 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:57.919 But it may be that that's going to be at work or with a neighbor. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:04.939 And the joy of sharing your personal story, even if it costs you. 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:09.980 And let's be clear, this man is facing the same serious consequences that just frightened 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.840 his parents, right? 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:16.680 Even if it costs you, the joy is worth it, isn't it? 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:21.220 To share of who Jesus is and what he's done for you. 00:12:23.260 --> 00:12:26.460 Well, then this guy starts getting a bit testy. 00:12:26.560 --> 00:12:29.280 The formerly blind man has an attitude. 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:29.900 Listen. 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:30.039 Listen. 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:33.559 They said to him, what did he do to you? 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:35.360 How did he open your eyes? 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:40.500 And he answered them, I have told you already and you would not listen. 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:42.259 Why do you want to hear it again? 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:44.639 Do you also want to become his disciples? 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:46.519 Ouch. 00:12:47.579 --> 00:12:49.639 They don't like that very much. 00:12:49.699 --> 00:12:50.679 They didn't find that funny. 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.220 You chuckled. 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:52.120 They did not chuckle. 00:12:52.120 --> 00:13:02.320 And they reviled him, saying, you are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:08.980 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we don't know where he comes 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.399 from. 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:14.080 And the man answered, why, this is an amazing thing. 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:16.720 You do not know where he comes from. 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:18.899 And yet he opened my eyes. 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:24.840 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:26.659 his will, God listens to him. 00:13:27.319 --> 00:13:33.399 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:37.519 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. 00:13:39.819 --> 00:13:42.720 And they answered him, you were born in utter sin. 00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:44.220 And would you teach us? 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:45.860 And they cast him out. 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:46.340 Wow. 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:53.080 This man has been blind his whole life. 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:56.820 But he sees clearly, doesn't he? 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:59.980 He's connecting some obvious dots. 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:04.960 His spiritual vision is becoming 20-20. 00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:10.860 What he's saying is it requires unprecedented power to give sight to a blind man, right? 00:14:10.920 --> 00:14:12.000 We can agree with that. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:15.899 That power would have to come from God. 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:21.940 Anyone with that power then is clearly from God, for God, not against God. 00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:25.659 And Jesus has demonstrated that power in his life. 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:29.460 The clear conclusion is what? 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:33.200 Jesus is from God. 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:41.340 But even faced with that clear conclusion, the experts reject Jesus. 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:48.020 And this man born in sin who would dare to teach the teachers. 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:49.940 Don't correct the experts. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:53.100 What's their rallying cry here? 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.440 What do we hear them saying? 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:58.200 We know, verse 24. 00:14:58.200 --> 00:15:02.860 We know, verse 29. 00:15:04.020 --> 00:15:09.980 The religious leaders are convinced that they see spiritually. 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:15.280 So any suggestion that they might have a blind spot must be rejected. 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:25.000 Any teaching, any teacher that contradicts their authority or that tweaks their pride must be cast out. 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:30.039 We know God has spoken to Moses. 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.879 They got that one right, didn't they? 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:36.399 Also, we know that Jesus is a sinner. 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:40.379 One out of two. 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:44.679 We're disciples of Moses. 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:47.600 We keep the law, right? 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:55.919 Reminds me of the parable Jesus told in Luke chapter 18 of two men that come into the temple to pray. 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:57.659 The first one is a Pharisee. 00:15:58.019 --> 00:16:03.399 And he stands and prays proudly of all the wonderful religious things he has done. 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:04.340 Obeying. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:06.299 Tithing. 00:16:07.820 --> 00:16:08.340 Fasting. 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:14.040 And then in the far corner of the temple is the tax collector. 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:16.500 With his head down. 00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:18.580 Can't even look up to God. 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.860 Beating his chest. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.660 Cries out what? 00:16:21.180 --> 00:16:24.120 God have mercy on me. 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:25.620 A sinner. 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:37.540 And Jesus explains that that second humble way is actually the appropriate way to relate to God. 00:16:38.340 --> 00:16:42.120 Not the prideful performance way. 00:16:44.040 --> 00:16:48.040 But these experts are disciples of Moses. 00:16:49.040 --> 00:17:00.420 And just like the Pharisee in the parable, their knowledge and their pride are getting in the way of their spiritual sight. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:05.440 Don't answer these questions out loud. 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:09.559 But think honestly how you would answer them. 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:12.960 If you were asked this with no context whatsoever. 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:15.559 Do you need help? 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:19.919 With my finances? 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:22.619 With my homework? 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:23.980 What do you mean? 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.980 With managing life? 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:32.899 Many of us are used to answering no to that question, aren't we? 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:36.259 I'm not the one who needs help. 00:17:38.780 --> 00:17:41.800 How about, do you need to be rescued? 00:17:44.620 --> 00:17:45.640 Not usually. 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:48.780 I'm sure there's somebody out there somewhere who does. 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:52.019 And there's probably a good search and rescue team to go get them. 00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:53.200 But not me. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:59.259 Let me use a spiritual word to give you a little bit more context. 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:02.799 Do you need to be discipled? 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:08.680 Well, you may say, I mostly disciple others. 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:14.079 Well, I mean, I'm no Mother Teresa or Billy Graham. 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:16.759 But I've been around church a long time. 00:18:16.879 --> 00:18:19.019 I mean, my kids might need some of that. 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:19.660 That'd be good. 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:24.400 Be honest. 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:35.560 Many of us feel like pretty good people much of the time in most of the contexts we live in. 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:38.980 And that can be a challenge. 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:45.440 There's an extra challenge for those of us who have that experience to spiritual sight. 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:59.980 If you are often successful in different areas of life, and therefore you're unfamiliar or uncomfortable being the one in need of help, of rescue, of discipling. 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:02.600 It's extra hard. 00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:14.339 I've told you before of a middle school activity where all of us students were blindfolded and led out into a forest and put our hands on a rope. 00:19:14.439 --> 00:19:19.259 And these ropes had been tied so that they were tied around trees in a continuous loop. 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:21.159 So you would just follow the rope around and around. 00:19:21.219 --> 00:19:22.079 But they didn't tell us that. 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:26.419 They told us that if you followed the rope to the very end, you would win and get the prize. 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:32.259 And so what happened was we blindfolded, started following the rope. 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:34.700 They said if we needed any help, just raise our hand. 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:45.700 When a child raised his hand, the whole point of the game was that a leader would come, pull that child aside, take off his blindfold, give them the prize and congratulate them. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:49.060 The whole point of the game was to admit that you needed help. 00:19:49.059 --> 00:20:03.720 Now, which kinds of students do you think were the ones left blind last, stuck in the circle of trees? 00:20:05.399 --> 00:20:11.379 Many of them were the very top students, used to figuring out the puzzles. 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:18.460 Competitive ones like me who knew if we just tried hard enough, we would win and we were going to figure it out, man. 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:22.299 Whew, it's been a long afternoon holding that rope. 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:33.740 We didn't do well at the physical sight game that was won by admitting your need. 00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:44.940 How do we do at the spiritual sight that Jesus says begins by admitting that you don't see? 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:49.420 By seeing your need. 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:56.500 What keeps you from seeing your own spiritual blindness? 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:07.400 Keep thinking about that, but now we reach the climax of the story and it is absolutely glorious. 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:09.880 Verse 35. 00:21:12.280 --> 00:21:15.480 The religious leaders have cast the man out, right? 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.420 Verse 35. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:23.680 Jesus heard that they had cast him out and having found him, he said... 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:34.060 I want to stop here before we read the rest of what Jesus says to him and say something to those of you who have been hurt by religious leaders. 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:38.539 These days we often call it experiencing church hurt. 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:42.359 And I know that's a lot of you. 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:47.700 Increasingly common these days to have experienced that. 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.720 What I want to say to you is this. 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:55.160 Jesus came for you. 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.839 To find you. 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.860 To heal you. 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.700 To help you see. 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:06.160 And see him. 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:09.019 Look at this verse again. 00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:14.039 If you blink, you'll miss how fast Jesus moves to you. 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:18.639 Jesus heard that they had cast this man out. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.759 And having found him, bam! 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.399 Just like that. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.259 Man, having found him. 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:27.599 Doesn't even tell us about Jesus looking for him, does it? 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:30.799 As soon as he hears, bam, having found him. 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.579 They want him out. 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:37.480 Jesus wants him in. 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:41.220 Don't you doubt that one more day. 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.500 One more minute. 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:46.240 That's how Jesus feels about you. 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.559 I don't know your particular situation. 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:52.220 I'm not telling you that you were right and the church was wrong. 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.420 That's not the point. 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:57.480 If you have wounds from the church, Jesus wants to heal them. 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:58.799 He does. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:01.279 He's coming to you to do that. 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:06.839 He doesn't want anything that you've experienced at the hands of those who represent him. 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:09.700 To keep you distant from him. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:12.440 He is drawing near to you. 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:13.819 Even now. 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:16.139 Even through his word. 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:20.839 Even if you can believe it as hard as it is for your heart to receive. 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.799 At church. 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:25.500 He's drawing near to you. 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:27.279 Come. 00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:29.700 I'd love to talk with you about that. 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:32.080 Let's pray to him together. 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:34.160 I can listen to you. 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:35.019 And I can do that. 00:23:35.080 --> 00:23:36.380 I can run to him with you. 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:38.460 Even if I'm part of the hurt for you. 00:23:41.120 --> 00:23:41.920 Please know. 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:44.440 Jesus' heart for you. 00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:47.580 Jesus makes sure. 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:49.799 That the formerly blind man. 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.220 Sees him clearly. 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:53.480 He doesn't want anything that anybody else has done. 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.539 To confuse him. 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:57.420 About who Jesus really is. 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.420 Having found him. 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.860 He said. 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:03.740 Do you believe in the son of man? 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.580 And he answered. 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.819 And who is he, sir? 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:10.059 That I may believe in him. 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.920 Jesus said to him. 00:24:13.080 --> 00:24:14.960 You have seen him. 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.940 And it is he. 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:19.120 Who is speaking to you. 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.880 Do you hear what Jesus is saying? 00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:22.200 So. 00:24:22.580 --> 00:24:23.059 Gently. 00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:24.720 Gently. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:28.559 Gently and helpfully together. 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:30.059 At the same time. 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.620 Jesus is saying. 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:34.539 Do the man in this way. 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:37.339 Here's what's happened to you. 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.860 And here's who I am. 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:39.259 You. 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:41.160 You don't have all the answers. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:41.879 I get it. 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:43.259 I know that about you. 00:24:43.379 --> 00:24:45.000 You don't even understand fully. 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:45.799 The question. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:47.180 That I'm asking you. 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:48.799 Who the son of man is. 00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:49.779 Listen. 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.519 The son of man. 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.500 Gave you. 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.599 Your sight. 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.519 You have. 00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:55.420 Seen. 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.099 Him. 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.859 And narrows down the list for this man. 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.279 Doesn't it? 00:24:58.279 --> 00:25:00.339 You have seen him. 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.099 And. 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:01.799 And. 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.559 It is he. 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:05.619 Who is speaking to you. 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:07.720 Not only did you have one encounter. 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.680 Where with open eyes you've seen him. 00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:12.359 He has tracked you down again. 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:14.039 To rescue you. 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:16.779 Physical sight that you'd never known. 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:19.779 And now spiritual sight. 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:21.299 That you'd never known. 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:24.639 Until Jesus entered your life. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:27.680 And he said Lord. 00:25:28.040 --> 00:25:29.440 I believe. 00:25:30.520 --> 00:25:32.120 And he worshipped him. 00:25:34.320 --> 00:25:36.060 What a glorious resolution. 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.320 I love this so much. 00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:40.180 This man who has just been kicked out of the synagogue. 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:43.759 Has found a wonderful place to worship. 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.300 Hasn't he? 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.940 At the feet of Jesus. 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:50.460 See this is how glorious Jesus is. 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.740 That our spiritual progress. 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:55.579 Is all about our view of Jesus. 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:58.099 Not our improved performance. 00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:00.980 What those who are spiritually blind need. 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:03.339 Is not a tweaked prescription for our glasses. 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.180 It won't help. 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.920 It's a clear vision of Jesus. 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:09.599 An entirely different focus on him. 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.220 Not on me. 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:12.620 Our faith grows. 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:14.460 As who Jesus is. 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:16.000 And what he's done. 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:17.920 Comes into focus for us. 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:20.480 Watch how it happens through this story with the man. 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:22.039 All the way back in verse 11. 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:23.759 It's a bit fuzzy for him. 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.420 The guy who healed me. 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.740 I don't know. 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:28.420 The man called Jesus. 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:31.480 Verse 17. 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:33.059 He's a prophet. 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.799 In verse 33. 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:39.339 He pronounces Jesus a man from God. 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.659 He recognizes that. 00:26:41.659 --> 00:26:42.680 And by verse 38. 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.180 Where is he? 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.879 Face to face with the Savior. 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:48.639 Helped by Jesus' passionate pursuit. 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:50.500 Patient explanation. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:56.079 The healed man is worshiping Jesus as Lord. 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:58.400 Spiritual sight. 00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:00.140 This is what it's all about. 00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:02.319 Having seen his blindness. 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:06.339 He now sees Jesus. 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:13.599 Do you truly see Jesus? 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:13.839 Jesus. 00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:18.500 I didn't ask if you've been to church before. 00:27:19.659 --> 00:27:25.079 I asked do you see him as clearly as the formerly blind man sees him. 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:31.599 Spiritual sight like that starts with seeing your own blindness and need. 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:33.419 Have you ever had a moment like that? 00:27:33.659 --> 00:27:36.959 A moment when you realize that you weren't okay on your own. 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:39.940 That you didn't have life figured out. 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:42.640 And all the answers to how everything should go. 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:44.279 That you didn't measure up. 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:45.940 Even to your own standards. 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:48.740 If you had that reality check come in. 00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:51.039 Much less to a standard of perfection. 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.559 If you've had one of those moments. 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:58.400 The reality is it's even worse than you realized in that moment. 00:27:58.400 --> 00:28:01.420 Your need is even greater than you understand. 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:11.660 Your spiritual need is so great that the perfect son of God had to die on a cross for you. 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:15.420 But see he did that. 00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:23.060 Because the heart of God displayed perfectly in Jesus is drawn to need. 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:27.060 Just as he rushed to find the man who was cast out. 00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:29.920 Jesus is near the broken hearted immediately. 00:28:30.820 --> 00:28:36.259 His grace is like water running downhill to the low point to fill the hole. 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:42.840 He's like the doctor with the great cure who is eager and excited to find those with a disease. 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:46.959 He's drawn to those who are sick so that he can cure them. 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:52.980 Jesus is the light of the world drawn to the darkness so that he can shine brightly in. 00:28:53.859 --> 00:29:01.099 Just here Jesus shows us the essential condition for spiritual sight. 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:06.759 Is that you know you can't see on your own. 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:10.539 That you realize you're in darkness. 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:18.879 And it is bad news unless the light shines in for you to live. 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:26.960 What does it mean for you to truly see Jesus? 00:29:28.639 --> 00:29:34.899 Roy and Revel Heschen describe it so well in this tiny book called We Would See Jesus. 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.899 Yes, you should read it. 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:37.680 It's short. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:49.360 To see Jesus is to apprehend him as the supply of our present needs and believingly to lay hold on him as such. 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:55.840 The Lord Jesus is always seen through the eye of need. 00:29:57.340 --> 00:30:02.200 He is presented to us in the scriptures not for our academic contemplation and delight. 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:07.840 But for our desperate need as sinners and weaklings. 00:30:08.340 --> 00:30:16.440 The acknowledgement of need and the confession of sin therefore is always the first step in seeing Jesus. 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:21.819 And then when that happens, when we start seeing him, where there is acknowledged need, 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:29.819 the Holy Spirit delights to show to the heart the Lord Jesus as the supply of just that need. 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:34.819 Oh, Jesus, I need your grace. 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.319 Right? 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:39.819 And forgiveness for all of my sins. 00:30:40.639 --> 00:30:42.819 You are the merciful Savior. 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.379 Savior. 00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:43.700 I need your patience. 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:48.639 I need your patience when I fail again. 00:30:48.919 --> 00:30:53.539 And you, Jesus, you're the tender, everlasting Father. 00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:57.599 I need your strength, Jesus, in my weakness. 00:30:58.000 --> 00:31:00.000 You are the mighty God. 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:05.480 I need your wisdom in all my foolishness and confusion. 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:08.839 And you are the wonderful counselor. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:15.440 I need your guidance, your direction of me because I get lost and confused. 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:18.400 And you are the good shepherd, Jesus. 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:20.440 I get anxious. 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:22.460 You're very present with me, Jesus. 00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:24.599 I need when I'm afraid, when I'm anxious. 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:28.380 I need to know you're there and you're the Prince of Peace who comforts me. 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:33.839 Your light, light of the world, gives life in my darkest moments. 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:39.500 Friends, there are so many reminders of our need, aren't there? 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:47.720 That are yet so many more glorious reminders of Jesus' sufficient grace. 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.019 Amen? 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:52.059 That's what our sin and our need is. 00:31:52.819 --> 00:31:58.039 It's to turn our eyes to him again so that he's that much more precious to us. 00:31:58.279 --> 00:32:00.299 That we're that much more desperate for him. 00:32:00.439 --> 00:32:03.299 And he becomes that much more beautiful in our eyes. 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:06.279 And we say, Jesus, it's you that I need. 00:32:07.619 --> 00:32:08.680 Straight to you. 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:10.339 I can go straight to you. 00:32:10.419 --> 00:32:11.200 And I see. 00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:12.419 I finally see. 00:32:17.139 --> 00:32:18.779 Someone said to me not long ago, 00:32:19.919 --> 00:32:23.639 Pastor, I think I know why you get so worked up, so passionate. 00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:27.299 It makes me a little uncomfortable sometimes when you talk about the gospel. 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:35.180 It's not just because you want all of us to be so passionate when we tell our friends and neighbors about Jesus. 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:36.399 It is. 00:32:36.399 --> 00:32:43.339 But you really believe there are some of us in that sanctuary every week who don't really know Jesus. 00:32:43.339 --> 00:32:48.139 I said, you're absolutely right. 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:58.339 I don't want anyone to think that they see Jesus but never really see him. 00:32:58.339 --> 00:33:06.500 To miss how desperately they need him and how completely he meets their needs. 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:08.759 Yes, I'm passionate for that. 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:22.059 And I'm also passionate because I'm also convinced every one of us in here needs to see Jesus as much and as desperately as those who have never, ever seen him before. 00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:40.259 That my having spiritual life this week, that my knowing this afternoon how to experience life is dependent on my truly seeing Jesus again for who he is. 00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:43.179 Not my thinking, now I know enough. 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:46.359 Finally, I've got it together. 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:50.119 I can trust my spiritual instincts. 00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:51.299 No. 00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:52.619 No. 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:54.359 Who are you again, Jesus? 00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:55.319 Who are you? 00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.679 Remind me again. 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:59.619 Tell me again how you'll pick me up if I fail. 00:33:59.899 --> 00:34:04.299 Tell me again how you'll meet me and embrace me even if everybody else rejects me. 00:34:05.159 --> 00:34:09.219 Tell me again how you'll give me life that I can never lose and that never ends. 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:11.880 Tell me again, Jesus, who you are for that. 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:18.079 And Jesus says, I am the light of the world. 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:19.219 I have shined into this world. 00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:29.340 I have shined into this world so that even today, even here, those who realize they do not see may see. 00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:38.299 So that those who have walked in darkness may have the light of life forever. 00:34:38.300 --> 00:34:45.180 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org. 00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:45.879 Thank you. 00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:50.980 Thank you. 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:54.440 Thank you. 00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:54.739 Thank you. 00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:55.359 Thank you.