WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:07.459 Hello everyone, we'll be reading from John chapter 9 today, starting from verse 1 and 00:00:07.459 --> 00:00:10.620 stopping at verse 14 and then jumping ahead to verse 24. 00:00:11.259 --> 00:00:13.240 So if you'd turn with me to John 9. 00:00:14.179 --> 00:00:21.760 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth, and his disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:24.820 this man or his parents, that he was born blind? 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:31.260 Jesus answered, It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God 00:00:31.260 --> 00:00:32.579 might be displayed in him. 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:36.820 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. 00:00:37.620 --> 00:00:39.780 Night is coming when no one can work. 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:43.980 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:48.719 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:54.640 Then he anointed the man's eyes with mud and said to him, Go, wash in the pool of 00:00:54.640 --> 00:00:56.200 Siloam, which means sent. 00:00:57.020 --> 00:01:00.000 So he went and washed and came back seeing. 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:07.299 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, Is this not the man 00:01:07.299 --> 00:01:08.500 who used to sit and beg? 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:10.299 Some said, It is he. 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:12.939 Others said, No, but it is like him. 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:15.579 He kept saying, I am the man. 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:20.079 So they said to him, Then how were your eyes opened? 00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:26.959 He answered, The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, Go to 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:28.039 Siloam and wash. 00:01:28.420 --> 00:01:31.000 So I went and washed and received my sight. 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:33.900 They said to him, Where is he? 00:01:34.439 --> 00:01:35.599 He said, I do not know. 00:01:36.379 --> 00:01:40.439 They brought him to the Pharisees, the man who had formerly been blind. 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:45.340 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 00:01:45.340 --> 00:01:48.400 Moving ahead to verse 24. 00:01:51.400 --> 00:01:56.659 So for the second time, they called the man who had been blind and said to him, Give glory 00:01:56.659 --> 00:01:57.219 to God. 00:01:57.300 --> 00:01:59.040 We know that this man is a sinner. 00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:02.680 He answered, Whether he is a sinner, I do not know. 00:02:03.080 --> 00:02:06.300 One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. 00:02:07.180 --> 00:02:09.520 They said to him, What did he do to you? 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:11.020 How did he open your eyes? 00:02:11.020 --> 00:02:15.219 He answered them, I have told you already and you would not listen. 00:02:15.880 --> 00:02:17.140 Why do you want to hear it again? 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:19.360 Do you also want to become his disciples? 00:02:20.100 --> 00:02:24.960 And they reviled him, saying, You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 00:02:25.800 --> 00:02:30.700 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes 00:02:30.700 --> 00:02:30.980 from. 00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:34.620 The man answered, Why, this is an amazing thing. 00:02:34.820 --> 00:02:37.879 You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:42.819 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God and does 00:02:42.819 --> 00:02:44.319 his will, God listens to him. 00:02:45.159 --> 00:02:49.879 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:53.479 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. 00:02:54.819 --> 00:02:59.240 They answered him, You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us? 00:02:59.919 --> 00:03:01.079 And they cast him out. 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:06.900 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him, he said, Do you believe in 00:03:06.900 --> 00:03:07.659 the Son of Man? 00:03:08.580 --> 00:03:11.379 He answered, And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him? 00:03:12.140 --> 00:03:16.040 Jesus said to him, You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you. 00:03:17.040 --> 00:03:18.719 He said, Lord, I believe. 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:20.060 And he worshipped him. 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:27.020 Jesus said, For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and 00:03:27.020 --> 00:03:28.960 those who see may become blind. 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:34.620 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, Are we also blind? 00:03:35.200 --> 00:03:38.980 Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no guilt. 00:03:39.620 --> 00:03:42.740 But now that you say, We see, your guilt remains. 00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:58.360 Father, I know that my words have no power, but your words do. 00:03:59.020 --> 00:04:05.240 And so I pray that you would fill us all with your spirit, and I pray that your spirit would 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:08.280 help me to be clear and point to Jesus. 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:14.800 And as we just sang, I pray that for each one of us, you would convince our hearts that 00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:18.319 your mercy is greater than the darkness. 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:20.259 In Jesus' name I pray. 00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:20.720 Amen. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:29.800 Well, I'm sure you're all equally as excited as I am that the English Premier League has 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:32.019 started again this week. 00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:40.599 Now, if anyone tells me the score of Liverpool's game last night, I'm not sure what I'll do. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:42.500 Like, it's not going to be pretty. 00:04:42.699 --> 00:04:44.620 Like, you've seen me cry up front enough. 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:46.799 Like, you don't need to see me cry again. 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:48.099 Don't tell me the score. 00:04:50.659 --> 00:04:57.000 Now, a number of years ago, there was some tough things going on in my life, and I'm not 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:05.399 going to go into the details, but what I thought was sure and certain and reliable was now just 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:08.139 confusing, uncertain. 00:05:09.540 --> 00:05:14.620 I knew it was a difficult time, but I didn't realise how much it was affecting me until one 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:16.920 night, playing soccer with friends. 00:05:16.920 --> 00:05:24.480 We were at Spears Point Park with the synthetic, like, it was perfect, it was a clear night, 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:28.460 stars were out, with friends, playing soccer. 00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:34.120 Like, this is my lovely time, my idea of a lovely time. 00:05:34.200 --> 00:05:34.960 It's probably not yours. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:40.840 Now, the ball went out for a goal kick, so I had this moment of pause, just staring at 00:05:40.840 --> 00:05:45.060 the stars, and just this wave of sadness came over me. 00:05:46.920 --> 00:05:55.140 It was just in that moment I was like, oh, oh, this is really affecting me. 00:05:57.780 --> 00:06:03.900 A few days later, I went to Warners Bay by the foreshore, coffee in hand. 00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:08.980 I'm not really knowing what I was searching for, but I started reading John's Gospel. 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:11.000 I just started reading. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:15.180 Now, I did not come away with this aha moment. 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:18.939 This is the key to unlock my problems. 00:06:19.540 --> 00:06:20.920 Here's what I need to do. 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:22.980 I did not come away with that. 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:25.120 I was still sad. 00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:38.920 But it's really hard to put into words the strength, the peace that came, just seeing Jesus afresh. 00:06:40.280 --> 00:06:41.639 It was the person of Jesus. 00:06:41.840 --> 00:06:47.000 There was something steadying about that. 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:54.019 Whatever else was chaos, I know him, and he knows me. 00:06:59.540 --> 00:07:05.279 We come this morning to the second I am claim of Jesus. 00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:15.599 Last week, we saw him feeding the 5,000, claiming that he can feed our spiritual hunger. 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:17.119 I am the bread of life. 00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:21.099 And now he's saying that he's the solution to our spiritual blindness. 00:07:21.100 --> 00:07:25.800 I am the light of the world. 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:37.120 So as we come into this story, I think a way to see what's going on in this story is just listen out for what people claim that they know. 00:07:37.300 --> 00:07:38.780 They know for sure. 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:45.040 Okay, so Jesus comes across this man who's been blind from birth. 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:46.400 We don't know how old he is. 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:49.740 We know he could be in his 40s or older. 00:07:49.740 --> 00:07:50.900 He's an adult. 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:54.139 He can testify in court for himself. 00:07:55.420 --> 00:07:58.720 Jesus makes mud with his saliva. 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:00.180 It's strange. 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:05.819 Puts it on his eyes and sent him to a pool called, which the name means sent. 00:08:06.980 --> 00:08:12.100 Now, I think the name is significant because it becomes the heart of the question that they're going to be debating. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:16.060 Is Jesus sent from God? 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:24.540 Now, his neighbors, they had walked past this beggar. 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:25.459 He's a blind man. 00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:26.139 He can't work. 00:08:26.220 --> 00:08:26.939 So he's been begging. 00:08:27.660 --> 00:08:30.459 They walk past him every day, all his life. 00:08:30.680 --> 00:08:31.699 They know him the best. 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.580 And they're divided. 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:34.799 It's him. 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:36.840 It just looks like him. 00:08:36.960 --> 00:08:38.019 Like, how is this possible? 00:08:38.299 --> 00:08:38.860 They're divided. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:42.960 And so they take him to the experts, the religious experts of the day. 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:52.019 Now, please don't be thinking that these ancient people were primitive in their understanding, 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:58.259 thinking that mud and saliva and washing could cure blindness. 00:08:59.480 --> 00:09:01.440 We do eye surgery today. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:07.180 The man, the neighbors, the religious experts, they're not focusing on that. 00:09:07.320 --> 00:09:09.060 They're focusing on the person, Jesus. 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:16.159 But the experts who know their Bibles well, they're suspicious. 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:18.599 Well, most of them are. 00:09:18.699 --> 00:09:21.899 There seems to be a minority group who are amazed. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:24.439 But most of them are thinking, something fishy is going on here. 00:09:25.239 --> 00:09:26.019 They call in the parents. 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:28.119 We didn't read this bit, but they call in the parents. 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:31.259 They don't believe he was blind from birth. 00:09:31.259 --> 00:09:34.240 But the parents come in and they say, yes, this is our son. 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:35.919 Yes, he was blind from birth. 00:09:36.059 --> 00:09:37.500 But they sense the danger. 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:40.299 And they're like, we don't know what's going on here. 00:09:40.360 --> 00:09:40.960 Talk to him. 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:50.740 Because they knew that the experts had already decided, if you follow Jesus, you're excommunicated. 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:52.899 Leave. 00:09:54.059 --> 00:09:56.659 Cut off from the community, which is a big deal. 00:09:57.200 --> 00:09:59.539 You're treated as if you were cut off from God. 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:06.459 So let's take stock of what the experts know. 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:08.719 They've got the testimony of the man. 00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:10.319 I was blind and now I see. 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:15.639 They've got the testimony of the neighbours who knew him best. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:17.879 They've got the testimony of his parents. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:18.740 This is our son. 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:21.099 He was born blind. 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:31.139 Now, according to the law of Moses, these experts had plenty of evidence to establish this matter. 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:34.779 But here's their conclusion. 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:41.779 We know this man, Jesus, is a sinner. 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:45.039 That's their conclusion. 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:45.779 We know. 00:10:50.039 --> 00:10:52.220 He can't be sent from God. 00:10:53.059 --> 00:10:54.839 Now, why are they so sure? 00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:58.860 Not because of what he did, but when he did it. 00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:01.799 He did it on the Sabbath rest. 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:09.639 Now, rabbinical teaching was that only God can work on the Sabbath. 00:11:09.979 --> 00:11:13.699 Like the sun still needs to rise on the Sabbath day. 00:11:14.079 --> 00:11:17.819 God is always working, bringing light and life to his world. 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:26.640 But his people need to rest on the Sabbath to remember that their life is from God. 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:33.760 That they were delivered by Moses from Egypt to be God's worshipping people. 00:11:34.900 --> 00:11:37.820 God can work on the Sabbath to give life. 00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:39.780 Everyone else must rest. 00:11:41.660 --> 00:11:42.700 Jesus healed. 00:11:42.820 --> 00:11:44.280 He did this work on the Sabbath. 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:49.399 Now, we've skipped a lot in John's Gospel. 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:51.799 This is the second time Jesus has done this. 00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:57.519 He healed a man who couldn't walk for 38 years on the Sabbath. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:59.600 And they questioned him about that. 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:03.399 And here's how he justifies himself in chapter 5, 17 and 18. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:08.339 My father is working until now. 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:10.699 And I am working. 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:16.699 Let's just say that made matters worse. 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:19.559 Because John goes on to explain, 00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:24.339 This is why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him. 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:27.360 Because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:29.659 but he was even calling God his own father. 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:32.059 Making himself equal with God. 00:12:35.059 --> 00:12:37.799 He's claiming to be greater than Moses. 00:12:37.799 --> 00:12:42.339 He's claiming that he can work. 00:12:44.819 --> 00:12:46.839 Bringing light and life to the world. 00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:50.679 He must be a sinner. 00:12:56.679 --> 00:12:57.159 Now, 00:12:58.079 --> 00:13:00.399 these experts, 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:02.459 they get in this irrational tangle. 00:13:04.299 --> 00:13:05.439 Think about what they're doing. 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:09.060 They're accepting that the miracle happened 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:11.860 in order to conclude 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:14.180 he worked on the Sabbath. 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:17.660 This miracle happened 00:13:17.660 --> 00:13:20.220 and so he broke the Sabbath. 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:21.860 They're conceding it happened. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:26.440 And they're just ignoring the obvious question. 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:27.780 If Jesus can do this, 00:13:27.900 --> 00:13:30.160 what does this mean about where he came from? 00:13:31.660 --> 00:13:33.900 Look at the irony here. 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:34.939 These experts, 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:36.679 the emphasis in this passage is, 00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:38.240 we know. 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:38.980 We. 00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:40.860 We're the experts. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:41.840 We know. 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:42.819 We see clearly. 00:13:43.079 --> 00:13:43.799 Follow us. 00:13:45.559 --> 00:13:46.179 Blind man, 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:47.579 give glory. 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:48.840 Well, he's not blind anymore. 00:13:48.959 --> 00:13:49.259 He's seeing. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:51.980 Give glory to God. 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:52.919 Tell the truth. 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:54.860 Follow our lead. 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:57.220 They're trying to pressure this guy 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:59.460 who has been blind his entire life 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:00.940 into denying the fact 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:03.100 that this man Jesus came along 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:05.240 and he saw light 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:06.620 for the first time. 00:14:06.800 --> 00:14:08.000 They're trying to pressure him 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:09.340 into denying that. 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:13.019 It's good luck. 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:14.720 Good luck convincing him of that. 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:17.019 It's just irrational. 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:23.980 The healed man, 00:14:24.660 --> 00:14:26.560 he starts with what he can't deny. 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:28.399 Whether he's a sinner or not, 00:14:28.459 --> 00:14:28.859 I don't know. 00:14:30.939 --> 00:14:32.159 One thing I do know. 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.699 That though I was blind, 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.519 now I see. 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:45.000 His sight seems to grow. 00:14:45.579 --> 00:14:46.339 Verse 11, 00:14:47.699 --> 00:14:50.259 this man called Jesus opens my eyes. 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:51.099 Verse 17, 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:53.120 he's a prophet. 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:56.360 A messenger from God. 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:57.240 Verse 27, 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.320 he implies, 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:02.259 I'm following this Jesus now. 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:05.960 And then he reasons from Moses, 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:06.920 from the prophets, 00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:07.620 he reasons, 00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:10.860 God only listens to those who worship him. 00:15:11.019 --> 00:15:12.240 And no one's ever heard 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.759 of a man being born blind. 00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:15.080 Seeing. 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:17.160 This has never happened 00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:18.259 since the world began. 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:20.639 Jesus could not possibly 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.740 have done a thing 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:24.620 if he wasn't sent from God. 00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:26.899 He's saying, 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:28.919 there is a greater marvel, 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:31.500 in a sense, 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.539 there's a greater marvel 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:34.480 than that I can see now. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.319 It's the marvel 00:15:36.319 --> 00:15:37.879 that you experts 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:41.120 can't see where he comes from. 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:45.259 Now, 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:45.799 for some reason, 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:46.659 they don't like this. 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:52.100 The experts, 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:53.980 to use a soccer phrase, 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.240 they play the man, 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:56.139 not the ball. 00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:01.039 You're the one born in sin. 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:06.299 How dare you lecture us? 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:12.500 This is a strange scene. 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:13.419 Picture it. 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:15.259 This is a beggar. 00:16:16.339 --> 00:16:18.699 I doubt he even owned nice clothes. 00:16:20.719 --> 00:16:22.519 And he's standing on his own. 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.319 His parents, 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:25.079 not even his parents, 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.019 are supporting him. 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:28.419 He's on his own. 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:29.779 He's uneducated. 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:30.839 And he's surrounded 00:16:30.839 --> 00:16:32.219 by this learned group 00:16:32.219 --> 00:16:34.679 who have all the power in society. 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:36.339 They can excommunicate, 00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:38.679 cut people off from... 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:40.859 And it's the experts 00:16:40.859 --> 00:16:42.679 who are reacting so strongly. 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:45.379 They're so threatened. 00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:50.539 I think it's their emphasis 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.379 on themselves 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:53.059 that show what's really going on. 00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:54.159 We know. 00:16:55.359 --> 00:16:56.679 How dare you lecture us? 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:01.379 Here's what's really going on. 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:03.439 They can't let go of the idea 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:06.539 that they can already see clearly. 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:13.259 They hate the idea 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:15.360 that they might be blind 00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:17.779 so much 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:18.960 that when they see 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:20.880 this amazing victory 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:22.559 of light over darkness 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.759 in healing this man, 00:17:24.580 --> 00:17:27.360 they ignore it. 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:30.479 and they ignore 00:17:30.479 --> 00:17:32.679 what Jesus is doing. 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.740 That Jesus is giving 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:37.579 what the Sabbath rest was about. 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.979 Sabbath rest 00:17:42.979 --> 00:17:43.719 was to remember 00:17:43.719 --> 00:17:45.319 God created all things, 00:17:46.139 --> 00:17:47.519 including humankind, 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:49.740 which Genesis 2, 7 says, 00:17:49.979 --> 00:17:51.639 from the dust of the ground, 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.459 God formed man. 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:55.140 Maybe, 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:55.860 maybe, 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:57.180 him making the mud 00:17:57.180 --> 00:18:00.059 was just a little signal 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:03.140 that he is the creator. 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.779 Either way, 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.700 what he did, 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:09.740 it's unheard of. 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:11.960 It's an act of creation, 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:14.860 giving sight to a blind man. 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:20.679 And Isaiah the prophet 00:18:20.679 --> 00:18:22.479 says this is exactly 00:18:22.479 --> 00:18:24.519 what the Messiah would do 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:25.699 in chapter 42. 00:18:26.979 --> 00:18:28.359 Thus says God, 00:18:28.459 --> 00:18:28.959 the Lord, 00:18:29.959 --> 00:18:31.299 who created the heavens 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.299 and stretched them out, 00:18:32.379 --> 00:18:33.559 who spread out the earth 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.539 and what comes from it, 00:18:34.979 --> 00:18:35.959 who gives breath 00:18:35.959 --> 00:18:36.899 to the people on it 00:18:36.899 --> 00:18:38.000 and spirit to those 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.779 who walk in it. 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:40.740 I will give you 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.599 as a covenant 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:42.339 for the people, 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:44.299 a light for the nations, 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.500 to open the eyes 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.079 that are blind, 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:47.279 to bring out the prisoners 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.059 from the dungeon, 00:18:48.619 --> 00:18:49.379 from the prison, 00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:52.039 those who sit in darkness. 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:56.519 Much more than physical sight, 00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:58.039 this man receives 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:59.039 spiritual sight. 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:01.819 He believed Jesus 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.819 came from God 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:04.139 and now he takes 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:05.059 one step 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:06.660 more 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:09.660 and he gives 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.400 Jesus 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:12.100 the reverence 00:19:12.100 --> 00:19:13.220 that's only 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.600 appropriate to God. 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:17.019 He bows down 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:18.140 and he worships 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:19.540 this human being. 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.080 He 00:19:25.080 --> 00:19:27.200 was once sure 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.100 that God 00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:29.100 was punishing him 00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:30.960 because of his sin 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:32.340 or his parents' sin, 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.140 someone's sin. 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:35.740 He was once sure 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:37.160 God was against him 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:40.000 and now 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.120 in Jesus 00:19:41.120 --> 00:19:43.559 he's known, 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:44.980 he's seen. 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.920 He can see the grace 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.500 and mercy of God. 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:51.700 He can't, 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:53.500 to use Caroline's phrase, 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:55.380 he can't unsee Jesus now. 00:19:55.380 --> 00:20:04.200 Now I doubt 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:05.700 he couldn't have known 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.360 what it would have 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:07.060 cost Jesus 00:20:07.060 --> 00:20:07.760 to do this 00:20:07.760 --> 00:20:09.480 because we later 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.620 find out in John's Gospel 00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:11.540 that night 00:20:11.540 --> 00:20:12.180 was coming. 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.760 Jesus had to trade 00:20:14.760 --> 00:20:15.760 places with the man. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:21.220 Those claiming to see 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.980 would decide 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:23.240 to snuff out 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:23.860 this light 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:27.740 but Jesus 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.299 chose 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:28.779 to trade 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.199 places 00:20:29.199 --> 00:20:29.939 with this man. 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.639 He let the 00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:32.139 darkness 00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:32.959 have him. 00:20:41.199 --> 00:20:41.719 So 00:20:41.719 --> 00:20:43.579 John's clever, 00:20:43.719 --> 00:20:44.139 isn't he, 00:20:44.659 --> 00:20:45.379 writing this? 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:47.339 You see what he's doing, 00:20:47.459 --> 00:20:47.719 don't you? 00:20:48.939 --> 00:20:50.000 He's letting us 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.679 listen in 00:20:50.679 --> 00:20:51.579 on these people 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.719 forming their conclusions 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:53.440 about Jesus. 00:20:53.600 --> 00:20:54.579 Where is he from? 00:20:56.360 --> 00:20:57.819 Because it makes us 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:58.660 reading it today 00:20:58.660 --> 00:21:00.160 ask ourselves, 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:01.980 who do I agree with? 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.519 Do I more agree 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.220 with those 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.380 who are so sure 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:09.319 that they can already 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:10.620 see clearly? 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.980 They know what God's about, 00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:13.140 they know what the world's about, 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.400 they know what my life 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:14.860 is about. 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:17.180 I've already got light, 00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:18.279 I can see. 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:21.240 Or, 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:23.680 do I despair 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:26.000 of my ability 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.920 to know God, 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:27.700 my ability 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:28.839 to know my purpose, 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.539 my ability 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.299 to know what 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.519 life is about? 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:34.160 Am I willing 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.779 to say 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:36.539 I'm as blind 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.500 spiritually 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:39.660 as this man 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.000 was? 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:53.240 Shifting sport 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:53.859 illustrations, 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.539 sorry for all 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:54.920 the sport 00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:55.819 illustrations today 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.240 for those 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:56.960 who hate sport, 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:59.500 but anyone 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.140 know who Tom 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:00.900 Brady is? 00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:02.400 Okay, 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:02.859 there's a few 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.200 nods, 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:03.779 a few hands. 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.359 NFL, 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.660 American football, 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:08.299 quarterback, 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:10.419 now think 00:22:10.419 --> 00:22:11.180 of the Super Bowl, 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:12.559 how many people 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.240 watch the Super Bowl? 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.079 It's over a billion, 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.539 isn't it? 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.839 You watch this 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:16.579 grand final 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.200 of this sport 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:17.579 every year. 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:19.180 Now he's played 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:20.559 in 10 Super Bowls, 00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:21.000 this guy. 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:23.379 He's won seven. 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:25.559 He was most valuable 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.680 player for five 00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:27.019 of them. 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:29.220 The country 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:30.299 worships him. 00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:33.460 He's got a stadium 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.519 of worshippers 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:36.299 chanting his name. 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.539 Now he had a 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.879 TV interview 00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:42.099 in 2005, 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.859 he'd only won 00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:44.419 three Super Bowls 00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:45.000 at that point, 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:47.599 and he said 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.240 in the interview, 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.919 why do I have 00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:52.039 three Super Bowl 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.460 rings 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:54.680 and still think 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.359 there's something 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.399 greater out there 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:56.799 for me? 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.960 I reach my goal, 00:22:59.099 --> 00:22:59.639 my dream, 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.399 my life, 00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:00.919 and I think, 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:01.379 God, 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.079 it's got to be 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:02.919 more than this. 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.279 This can't be 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:04.839 what it's all 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.799 cracked up to be. 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:10.240 This guy's 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.680 a good looking 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:10.960 guy. 00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:12.899 He's much 00:23:12.899 --> 00:23:13.579 more handsome 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:13.919 than me. 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.180 He's got 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:16.319 everything going 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:16.819 for him. 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.559 I've never been 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.220 asked for a TV 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.539 interview. 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.619 Now the 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.399 interviewer asks 00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:24.619 him, 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:25.700 what's the 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.079 answer? 00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:29.240 I wish I 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:29.419 knew. 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.339 I wish I 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:31.480 knew. 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:35.220 how can 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.700 someone at 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.200 the top 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:38.019 think there's 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.360 got to be 00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:38.720 more? 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.279 I've reached 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.960 my goal. 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.140 Can you 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.620 hear how 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:45.220 lost he 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.460 is? 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:50.860 Whatever 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.480 you make 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:53.160 your goal 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:53.660 in life, 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.539 your purpose, 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.779 your worth, 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.519 it leaves 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.180 you lost 00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.920 and empty 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.640 and fearful. 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:04.299 Now there's 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:04.680 a danger. 00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:05.559 You might 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.039 be hearing 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.720 me say, 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:07.980 those in 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:09.380 church can 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:09.799 see. 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.680 We know 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:11.140 what life 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.539 is about. 00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:12.700 Those 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.660 outside living 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:13.980 for the 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.299 world, 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:14.860 they don't 00:24:14.860 --> 00:24:15.079 know. 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.140 This passage 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:17.680 is saying 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.360 something much 00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:18.960 worse than 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.160 that. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.740 It's saying 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.740 we're all 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:24.880 born blind 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:25.620 to God 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:26.339 and what 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:26.720 life is 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:26.980 about. 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:27.440 All of 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:27.680 us. 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:30.440 all of 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:30.900 us are 00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:31.360 spiritually 00:24:31.360 --> 00:24:32.560 in 00:24:32.560 --> 00:24:33.039 darkness 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.759 thinking 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.420 we know. 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.400 People can 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:37.820 come to 00:24:37.820 --> 00:24:38.660 church their 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:39.320 whole lives 00:24:39.320 --> 00:24:40.120 every week 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:41.779 and the 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.560 preacher, 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.500 the songs, 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.539 the conversations 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.299 are saying 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.240 life is a 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.519 gift, 00:24:46.820 --> 00:24:47.539 life is a 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.100 gift in 00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:48.360 Jesus, 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.080 life is a 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:49.480 gift and 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:49.920 they walk 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.259 out the 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.720 door going 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.420 I've got to 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:52.080 try harder, 00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:52.720 I've got to 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.360 try harder, 00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:53.940 I've got to 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.380 try harder. 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:56.880 you can 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:57.880 totally miss 00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:58.380 it your 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.060 whole life. 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:10.020 On the 00:25:10.020 --> 00:25:10.520 flip side, 00:25:11.300 --> 00:25:13.760 someone can 00:25:13.760 --> 00:25:14.340 be so 00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:15.480 content in 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:15.840 what they're 00:25:15.840 --> 00:25:16.360 living for 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:16.840 other than 00:25:16.840 --> 00:25:17.880 Jesus and 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.720 then they 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.460 can find 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:19.940 Jesus' 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:22.040 light just 00:25:22.040 --> 00:25:23.000 irresistible 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:24.060 even when 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:24.379 they don't 00:25:24.379 --> 00:25:24.700 want him 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.019 to be. 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.039 So here's 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:32.179 Rosaria's 00:25:32.179 --> 00:25:32.919 story. 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:36.940 As a 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.440 university 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.000 professor, 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.639 as a 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:40.980 professor, 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.480 doing pretty 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:41.859 well for 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.220 herself, 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.200 I tired of 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.980 students who 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.579 seemed to 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.179 believe that 00:25:45.179 --> 00:25:46.039 knowing Jesus 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.759 meant knowing 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.440 little else. 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:48.839 Stupid, 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:49.639 pointless, 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.319 menacing. 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:52.619 That's what I 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:52.940 thought of 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.599 Christians and 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.019 their God, 00:25:54.139 --> 00:25:54.399 Jesus. 00:25:55.939 --> 00:25:56.939 The Christians 00:25:56.939 --> 00:25:57.619 who mocked 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.000 me on 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.740 Gay Pride 00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.259 Day were 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.419 happy that 00:26:00.419 --> 00:26:00.859 I and 00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:01.439 everyone I 00:26:01.439 --> 00:26:01.859 loved were 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:02.219 going to 00:26:02.219 --> 00:26:02.379 hell, 00:26:02.459 --> 00:26:02.939 was clear 00:26:02.939 --> 00:26:03.379 as blue 00:26:03.379 --> 00:26:03.819 sky. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.879 But that 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:06.139 is not 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:06.799 what Ken 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.299 did. 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:08.599 He did 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.219 not mock, 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.839 he engaged. 00:26:12.439 --> 00:26:12.899 So when 00:26:12.899 --> 00:26:13.319 his letter 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.199 invited me to 00:26:14.199 --> 00:26:14.699 get together 00:26:14.699 --> 00:26:15.139 for dinner, 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.019 I accepted. 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.639 Ken and 00:26:16.639 --> 00:26:17.319 his wife, 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:17.879 Floyd, 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.279 and I 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.139 became friends. 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:20.680 they entered 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.320 my world 00:26:21.320 --> 00:26:22.500 and they 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.200 met my 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.580 friends. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.020 We did 00:26:24.020 --> 00:26:24.759 book exchanges, 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:25.300 we talked 00:26:25.300 --> 00:26:26.060 openly about 00:26:26.060 --> 00:26:26.980 sexuality and 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.360 politics. 00:26:27.600 --> 00:26:27.840 They did 00:26:27.840 --> 00:26:28.520 not act as 00:26:28.520 --> 00:26:28.980 if such 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.660 conversations 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.420 were polluting 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:30.660 them. 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:31.860 And when 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:32.280 we ate 00:26:32.280 --> 00:26:32.660 together, 00:26:32.820 --> 00:26:33.600 Ken prayed 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:34.620 in a way 00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:35.140 I'd never 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:35.820 heard before. 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:36.440 His prayers 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:37.180 were intimate, 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.360 vulnerable. 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.780 He repented 00:26:39.780 --> 00:26:40.720 of his sin 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.400 in front of 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:41.560 me. 00:26:41.560 --> 00:26:42.360 He thanked 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:43.080 God for 00:26:43.080 --> 00:26:44.000 all things. 00:26:44.540 --> 00:26:45.180 Ken's God 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.960 was holy 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.800 and firm, 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.680 yet full of 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.200 mercy. 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:49.799 I started 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.279 reading the 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:50.600 Bible. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.000 I read 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.299 the way 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.000 a glutton 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.740 devours. 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.200 I continued 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.779 reading the 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.039 Bible, 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:55.860 all the while 00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:57.380 fighting the 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:58.120 idea that it 00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:58.880 was inspired. 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.100 But the 00:27:00.100 --> 00:27:00.700 Bible got to 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.279 be bigger 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:02.759 inside me 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.220 than I. 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:05.620 It overflowed 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.019 into my 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.400 world. 00:27:06.820 --> 00:27:07.600 I fought 00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:08.360 against it 00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:08.820 with all 00:27:08.820 --> 00:27:09.539 my might. 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:11.400 And then 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.000 one Sunday 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.600 morning I 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.200 rose from 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:13.620 the bed 00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:14.799 of my 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.200 lesbian 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:16.660 lover and 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.000 an hour 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.420 later, 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:18.480 sat in 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:18.860 a pure 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.400 church. 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:21.539 I fought 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.180 with everything 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:22.920 I had. 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.680 I did 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.200 not want 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.539 this. 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:25.640 I did 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.240 not ask 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.680 for this. 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:27.980 I counted 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.720 the costs 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.640 and I did 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.120 not like 00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:30.660 the math 00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:30.940 on the 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:31.480 other side 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:31.700 of the 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.340 equal sign. 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.200 But God's 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.920 promises 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:36.660 rolled in 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.660 like sets 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:38.500 of waves 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:38.980 into my 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.460 world. 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.360 And then 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:42.140 one ordinary 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:42.759 day I 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.200 came to 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.620 Jesus, 00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:44.480 open-handed 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.060 and naked. 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:47.839 Jesus 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.700 triumphed. 00:27:54.919 --> 00:27:55.759 I am 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.259 the light 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.500 of the 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:56.759 world. 00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:57.839 Whoever 00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:58.619 follows me 00:27:58.619 --> 00:28:00.159 will not 00:28:00.159 --> 00:28:00.579 walk in 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.179 darkness but 00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:01.639 will have 00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:02.399 the light 00:28:02.399 --> 00:28:03.200 of life. 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.559 Please 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:05.779 will you 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.139 pray with 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:06.259 me? 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:13.720 Father, I 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.039 pray that 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.279 you would 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.799 help us 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.799 to admit 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:19.460 that we 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:20.180 don't know 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.500 where we're 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:20.819 going. 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:22.539 that even 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:22.859 as a 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.319 society 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.619 we're 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.139 pretty 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.599 lost. 00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:26.980 We don't 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:27.279 know 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:29.419 what life 00:28:29.419 --> 00:28:29.919 is about. 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:32.259 And I 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.019 pray that 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.939 Lord Jesus 00:28:34.939 --> 00:28:35.439 you would 00:28:35.439 --> 00:28:36.379 make yourself 00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:37.240 irresistible 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:37.939 to each 00:28:37.939 --> 00:28:38.220 one of 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:38.460 us. 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.919 Help us 00:28:40.919 --> 00:28:41.299 set our 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:42.819 eyes on 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.119 you. 00:28:44.679 --> 00:28:45.279 And I 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:45.559 pray this 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:45.879 in Jesus 00:28:45.879 --> 00:28:46.179 name. 00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:46.619 Amen. 00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:46.720 Amen. 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:46.740 Amen. 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:46.759 Amen. 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:46.779 Amen. 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:46.799 Amen. 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:46.819 Amen. 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:46.839 Amen.