Embrace the affliction of truth

Embrace the affliction of truth.

John 9:6-12

May 5, 2024

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This past week was an amazing time to get away and do something I never in a million years thought I would be able to do. Nate and I went to Moab UT and rode dirt bikes on some awesome trails. Some of it was amazing! And other parts reminded me just how fragile I am getting. I still need to live on a healthy dose of Ibprophren and ice packs. But, in all of the wrecks, in all the close calls of riding dirt bikes in the most challenging terrain UT has to offer, I would not change the bumps and bruises for the memory!

There are other situations that I am thinking about the lead-up to an event that may be miserable at first, but the result is worth the pain. Here are some ideas that came to mind.

I think we all can think of situations when doing the hard thing to get to a desired goal is a test of our level of commitment to that goal. In our passage today Jesus finds a man who was born blind in a position of desperation, and he wasn’t even looking for Jesus. Over the last couple of weeks, we discussed the importance of this one act of healing.

Three weeks ago, we talked about where suffering comes from. Is suffering a result of sin, correction by God, or judgment? Then, two weeks ago, we looked at the importance of doing the work that our Lord has given us and not being idle. If you missed these messages, you can get them on YouTube. This week, we will see a command given by our Lord followed by tangible obedience that results in a predetermined outcome (God’s outcome). The outcome was not the man’s! It was God’s.

1. There is a command given. (9:7)

Vs 6 “Having said these things, He spit on the ground and made mud with the salvia. Then He anointed the man’s eyes with mud Vs7 and said to him “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent).

There is a direct, Divine imperative with a specific direction in this passage. Notice, these are not a suggestive statement or one that leaves room for negotiation much like a teen would when you tell them to mow the lawn. Rather it is very clear:

Go: hypago: To move away from a place into another direction in a specific way to “wash” or nipto meaning to wash off or purify. The direction is specific, the means are specific but the location has even more specificity. Our Lord directs the man to go, wash in the pool of Silome. Interestingly, John records the Hebrew meaning of the title, Silome. You have to ask, why include this in the text for all generations?

The pool of Siloam was a well-known reservoir, or artificial pond, in a valley close to Jerusalem, remarkable for a supply of water from an intermittent spring. The pool received waters from the Spring of Gihon through Hezekiah’s Tunnel [1] It is first mentioned in Nehemiah 3:15, and afterwards in Isaiah 8:6.

Water for the Pool of Siloam was channeled through Hezekiah’s tunnel from the Gihon spring. The Pool of Siloam was the source of the water used in the water-pouring ceremonies during the Feast of Tabernacles. It was of major importance to the day-to-day operations within the city as well. The key is why John defined the name in Hebrew though.

Agustine (the early church father) said that it was named by John because “This was a most suitable and proper pool for Jesus to name. It was fitting that He who was ‘Sent of God’ should work a miracle in the pool called ‘Sent.’

The more we read God’s Word, the more it opens up to us. Nothing that is recorded is arbitrary or accidental, even down to the name of a pool. Remember, John the apostle, the one writing of this account has a particular purpose. He is not one of the synoptic Gospels. Matthew, Mark, and Luke who wanted to tell what Jesus did. John wants us to know WHO Jesus is. So, the One, sent by God, uses the appropriately named pool named “sent” to send a loud message.

The man who was healed was the one who carried this message in obedience. He did not particularly obey, negotiate, or challenge, but humbly went.

2. Obedience has a result.

Vs 7 “So he went and washed…came back seeing”

I have said this many times but it is worth reminding each of us. Salvation is not work-based. It is an act by, for, and THROUGH the LORD. Remember Pat’s sermon last week when he drew our attention to the fact that salvation is from the Lord.

Jonah 2:9 “But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

Dr. Lawson would add, that when it comes to the process of salvation, the only contribution we add is our sin. God does the saving through His Son, Christ Jesus, the perfect payment for our contribution (sin). Now, we do have a responsibility. Our response must be what the blind man did. He “went and washed.”

I need to be very clear. The water did not heal the man. The walk to the pool did not heal the man. The only thing that healed the man was and is Christ. The man responded to that Divine instruction. He obeyed and did not negotiate or add his own version of ideas. We often do this with the Lord. When we disagree with God’s plan, we will try to show God that our ideas are far better. Allow me to use a Biblical example.

Turn with me to 2 Kings 5:10 In this passage we are introduced to someone who was not willing to be obedient. Naaman was a commander of the army of the king of Syria. The king of Syria heard that there was a prophet in Israel who could heal his top general. So, the king of Syria sends a letter to the king of Israel (who was way smaller than Syria) telling him, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that YOU may cure him of his leprosy.”

I love how the Word of God records the king of Israel’s response. “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy?” This is a total freak-out! But, when Elisha, the man of God heard of the kings panic he said, send Naaman to me. The story goes that Naaman didn’t even see Elisha but instead, Elisha sends a message to him saying, go wash in the Jordan river seven times and you will be healed.

2 Kings 5:11

“11 But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. [2]”

We later learn that he was convinced to obey. But, church how often do we demonstrate partial obedience to what God is instructing us to do? Our attitude to the command is on us. Our obedience to the instruction is our responsibility. If we 100% obey, the results are 100% real. They are tangibly real. I am speaking to myself here.

Have been guilty of knowing God’s direction and instead of obeying, I took what He told me to do and added my own flair to it. You know what the result was? Failure, hurt and ultimately God’s correction. The sad thing is that the usual default is to blame God because the outcome is not good? How dare we! Partial obedience is 100% disobedience!

In desperate situations, we often only obey because we have no other options. Isn’t it interesting that when God paints us into the corner, we have no other option but to obey, and then, when we take those steps of faith, God shows us that the outcome is good?

I want all of us to see this principle! When we are young in the faith, we will often respond to God only out of fear (I don’t want to go to hell, I need healing, my loved one is not well…) But, as our relationship deepens, our obedience moves from desperation and fear to acting obediently out of love.

Please allow me to make this real. If you call yourself a believer and do not obey the Words written in this book, I would say, you do not love the one who wrote it. Your half-obedience is 100% disobedience. If you call yourself a believer and have never been directed to follow the Words of this book, then you need to have some desperation now!

I want to reassure all of us. Perfection is not attainable this side of eternity, but your projection is crucial. One must be trending toward holiness in their sanctification. The fruit of salvation is a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied"

But, if you call yourself a believer and you say that you are failing at keeping these Words and it seems like every step you take is wrong. Take heart, believer! He who went to the cross has overcome your failures! Christ is teaching you to love Him. Keep walking in obedience!

I was very hard on my boys when they were little. Matter of fact, I heard many well-meaning brothers and sisters say, “Dang Von, you and Heidi are hard on your kids.” But, for the most part, my kids obeyed because they feared dad. But now I do not use as much fear. Fear moves into reverence. Proverbs 13:24 speaks about the discipline of a loving father. Because our relationship has matured, I direct out of love as much as possible because they are brothers in Christ with me.

If you are saved it is a similar relationship with your Father in Heaven. When you and I are not obedient, He will correct His children. Sometimes with tough love while others with gentle demonstrations of grace. BUT a true follower of Christ will never be left in a position of disobedience.

Right obedience looks like the man born blind. Jesus rubs dirt in his eyes, (I have to wonder how comfortable that was even though the eyes didn’t work) and then look at what he did. He went!

Vs 7 “So he went and washed and came back seeing.”

What do you think he looked like with functional eyes? Imagine being there watching this. A man who has never seen the color of the sky, the green of a tree, the amazing wonder of Herod’s temple which He had heard all the people talking about. Imagine him taking in all of the wonders of life for the first time. When Jesus healed, it was a creative act of complete healing just as he “ex nihilo” creation into existance. No physical therapy, no gradual fixes. No, complete and total. Imagine the power of His hand on the one who obeys!

As amazing as new sight must be, obedience does not come free of charge. When everyone around him should have been celebrating and joyfully singing for joy over what happened, the joy quickly turned to affliction. Remember the pictures at the beginning? It is always fun at the start but then the reality of life sets in.

3. Embrace the affliction of truth. (This week)(HP)

A few years ago I went on a diet. I was so committed to it that it affected every part of my daily living. Everything that I loved was put on hold. No pizza, chips, and salsa, lays potato chips, and Pats chocolate coffee cake (well I cheated for that one). You know who was the hardest to deal with when I was on this diet? You know who gave me the hardest time because somehow my good decision for my health affected them? My family! They were the hardest on me! I felt like I was living Mark 6:4 where a prophet is not dishonored except in his hometown.”

Vs The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?[3]

I can guess that when you fix a person’s eyes they will look different. I get it. But it is not like Jesus gave the man a new face! He fixed His eyes and they still questioned if it was him! He continually had to say, “No, it’s me guys.” I keep wondering, how in the world could you miss that it was him? How could they assume anything but what was looking them in the face? Their presuppositions were damning their hearts.

Matthew 13:13-16

13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

“ ‘ “You will indeed hear but never understand,

and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

15 For this people’s heart has grown dull,

and with their ears they can barely hear,

and their eyes they have closed,

lest they should see with their eyes

and hear with their ears

and understand with their heart

and turn, and I would heal them.’

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.[4]

Jesus tells His disciples why the parables. This is an act of judgment, but not as you may think. Jesus knowing their hearts, and knowing they will never come to faith uses the parables to some as mercy, lest their punishment be increased; with a clearer understanding of the truth.....that's the context in the next verse explains eyes that see and ears that hear...

Sin makes us not just spiritually blind and deaf. Sin makes us physically unable to discern any work of the Spirit. It confuses hearts and troubles the minds of the lost. That is why when we as old sinners turn in obedience, and prepare for the pushback and mockery. Look closely at the text.

a. Be prepared to not be taken seriously. “No, but he is like him…Then how were your eyes opened.”- The neighbors never changed from 2000 years ago to today. The response to a new believer who receives their spiritual sight sounds much like the same. “Oh, isn’t that nice for you dear. Religion is good for you, not me.”

b. Be prepared to be ignored. “Then how were your eyes opened.” Count how many times the man had to tell the story in this chapter. By the end of chapter nine, he is starting to be a bit sarcastic, and rightfully so. But, today, as believers, how many times are we ignored when telling of the healing Christ did for us? Get ready to be ignored.

c. Be prepared to be called a liar. “No, he is like him….Vs 12 They said to him, where is he?” When they said, No, he is like him, with him standing right there saying, “GUYS I AM HIM” we have to see, that they are calling him a liar right to his face. Have you ever been talked over while standing right there? It is demoralizing and demeaning. But, then they ask the dumbest question ever!

Vs 12 “They said to him, “Where is He?” Great, ask the blind guy where something is. He was just learning what dirt looked like and you are asking him to tell you not just who Jesus was, but also, where He is? How dumb.

d. Be prepared to be patient. Church I laid it on thick there on the neighbors for a reason. But, do you all not know that we who are saved were all like these neighbors? At one point we were all spiritually blind. Just because we endure this affliction, we must recognize that those who throw stones may in fact become brothers and sisters.

Act 7:54-8:1

54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Saul Ravages the Church

8 And Saul approved of his execution[5]

We may never be stoned, but we will experience affliction. The thing is you don’t know who is in the crowd. One of the ones throwing stones at you now may be one of the most powerful tools of God’s kingdom in your generation. Saul, who later encounters Christ personally goes on to write 13 of the NT books and because of the work of the Spirit through Him, we have clarity of the doctrines of Grace.

The Word of God makes it clear that if the world killed, crucified, and attempted to crush our Lord, we too will follow in His path. These truths are found in 1 Peter 3:17, 1 Peter 4:19, 1 Peter 5:10, Romans 5:3-4,2 Timothy 3:12, and in 2 Corinthians 12 we see that same young coat holder (Paul) embracing his own suffering for the sake of Christ.

My point is not to make this a sad day. My point is to show you that when we are subject to these trials, we are to take heart! Matthew 5:10 says “blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” When we act in obedience it will cost us our neighbors and old friends. And that is okay! When we obey, it should set us apart!

James 4:4-8:

4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.[6]

We are not allowed to have one foot in disobedience and one in obedience. We as believers have to be 100% all in. It is like applying for a job and never resigning from your last one. Remember what I said, partial obedience is 100% disobedience. It will cost us but the gain is far worth the pain.

Following Christ is conditional. As your pastor, I can honestly tell you I have been tempted to pull hard truths for fear that it will offend ears. But to do that would mean I am keeping one foot in the world and one in the Bible. I believer that strong preaching produces strong Christians. Weak preaching produces weak Christians.

I am held accountable for that! For parents, do you keep back from saying hard truths to your kid’s friends when you have the opportunity? Grandparents, have there been opportunities lost to say or do the right thing for your grandkids?

Look church. This passage is heavy with application! But you may be saying, Pastor, you are saying that I will pay the price for being obedient! YES, I AM! But the rewards are worth it! Allow me to prove my point.

I wish I could put all of your individual pictures before you met Christ up on this last slide. It’s left blank for a reason. I want you to take a minute and think about where you were before Jesus decided to step into your blindness. Look back, in your mind describe that picture. You see, He found you, broken, blind, and needing a savior. Your blindness and hardened heart did not scare Him off. He knew your sin was too great for you to pay for, and at the perfect time, He stepped into your muck, shame, and brokenness to heal a man or woman born blind.

You may be saying, I am not blind, and I don’t need healing. Oh, hear me, please! You are lying to yourself. Your sin has made you blind to the distance and gap between you and your creator. God the Father saw your need and answered it when you could not by sending Christ to heal you. There is no picture of the reward for coming to Christ because no picture could ever capture the nail-scared hands awaiting your welcome when you submit to the knowledge that He is Lord. Jesus is the way, the truth, and life. Come to Him for your debt to be paid and your reward would never be describable.

Conclusion:

This week, we saw our Lord give a command followed by tangible obedience that results in a predetermined outcome (God’s outcome). The outcome for us is still being written. He is directing us to obey with tangible and real results in our future. He is also telling us that we are to embrace the trials in faith. He is showing us that in this life we get an opportunity to walk like He did. But, when our time has come, we will hear those words, well done, good and faithful servant.