Sent To Serve

Introduction

Jesus was sent by God to serve the people of God. Jesus served the people of God in such a way that people might believe that he himself was equal with God, and that he was the Son of God. How could you not believe the testimony of a man who did the things Jesus had done? That’s what the Gospel of John seeks to address; the belief or lack thereof that Jesus is who he claims to be. In the beloved disciple states his purpose for recording the Gospel narrative. John says,

John 20:31 ESV

31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus performed this work and many other works so that we would believe in him. What better cure is there for unbelief than demonstration? Most of us will struggle with some degree of disbelief at some point. Whether it be in the form of asking God why he allowed certain things to happen in your life. Or in the form of a faith so faint that serving the Lord feels like a burden. When you believe in Jesus you will follow Jesus. John says that he has recorded these events as a remedy for unbelief. If you need help with unbelief then mimic John and start recording some vents. When he brought you out. Write it down. When he brought you over. Write it down. When he brought you through. Write it down. What I love about God is the way he backs up his word with his works. He doesn’t just the talk the talk, he also walks the walk.

This scene in antiquity occurs after Jesus has labeled himself as the Light of the World. After he claims to give light and life he runs into a man whose eyes have never seen the light of day, and fills his optic nerves with light. You should believe that his word is true because his works are proof. After Jesus has been rejected and threatened with stones, because the Pharisees did not accept his word. He attempted to hide himself, but he couldn’t hide what he was about. When he came across a man in dire need of light, he couldn’t help but shine. Because he was sent by God to serve God’s people, when he saw a need the love within him caused him to go to work. Spurgeon says it like this,

“The love within and the need without acted towards one common end, and formed an intense necessity, so that the Savior must work”.

In this scene Jesus modeled for us what it means to serve exceptionally. He also proves to us why we should put our faith in him.

I. SERVED WITH INTENTION

Jesus did the work of God on the behalf of God’s people. His service was very intentional. He was so intentional that he served at the expense of himself and to the benefit of others. His service was so intentional that he never sought glory for himself but he pointed people back to God. He served with purpose. Jesus used this man’s infirmity to show his intention. The text says,

John 9:1–3 ESV

1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Jesus showed his intention and focus by first avoiding speculation. When his disciples asked the question about what or who was the cause of the man’s blindness. Jesus avoided the rumors and went straight to the resolution. While the disciples were busy trying to figure out what the man had done, Jesus was thinking about what he could do for the man. The disciples had the same doctrine as some of Job’s friends. They believed that great suffering was born from great sin. Suffering is not always the result of an individuals sin. Jesus says to them, “this situation is not a result of sin but it is so that the works of God may be displayed in him.” Suffering is an opportunity for God to show you what God can do. Paul said,

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12

Jesus served with the intention of taking the man’s problem and showing him God’s power.

Jesus’s service was not about himself. It was about those he served and the one who sent him. He said that the work’s that are of God must be displayed in the man. I thank God that when I’m in need he puts his power against my problems so that I might be reminded that he is God. Jesus served with the intent of turning a burden into believe. Jesus worked the works so that God would receive the glory and men would receive Grace. People are selfish. They will often do things for you so that they can talk about what they did for you, or so that you can stroke their ego. People work so that their fame will be increased. Jesus works so that your faith would be increased.

II. SERVED WITH URGENCY

Jesus didn’t just seve with intention. He also served with a sense of urgency. Notice what he says in verse 4,

John 9:4 ESV

4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

Jesus understood that his service was not optional and that the timing was sensitive. He basically says that he has to do it, and that he has to do it now. Jesus says, we MUST do the work. He does not say, “maybe I’ll do the work.” He does not say, “ I might get to the work”. He says, “we MUST do the work”. Which leads me to this question: What if Jesus had not done the work?

Let’s just look at this man’s situation for a moment. He was born blind. Being born blind complicated more than just the sensitivity of his optic nerve. Blind people in antiquity were pitied because the eye was viewed as the chief organ. Being blind was viewed as one of the worst things that could befall a man. The majority of blind lived in extreme poverty. Because they could not see they could not work. What would happen if Jesus had not done the work? Well, This man would have died the same way he was born. What would have happened to us if Jesus had not done the work of carrying the cross? We would have died the same way we were born; in iniquity and shaped in sin. What would have happened if he had not stepped in when the devil was trying to do you in? The devil would have taken you out. Jesus says, “we must do the works”. I thank God for a Savior who realizes the seriousness of my situation and is willing to serve on my behalf.

He realized that if he was going to save and we were going to believe, then serving would be a necessity. He also knew that time was sensitive. Jesus says, “we must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no man can work”. Jesus understood that the window of opportunity for him to do what he had been sent to do was closing. He basically tells the disciples that his time of departure was near and he would no longer be able to do the works that he had been doing on Earth. Jesus understood what he needed to do and when he needed to do it. Let that be a lesson for us when we begin to think that God doesn’t know when we need something done.

You can’t hurry God

No you’ve just got to wait

Trust and give him tiem

No matter how long it takes

He’s a God you cant’ hurry

You don’t have to worry

He may not come when you want him

But he’s always right on time

Jesus served with a sense of urgency. He understood the man’s need and when he needed it. The blind man didn’t have to make an eye appointment. Jesus knew when to fix it.

III. SERVED UNCONVENTIONALLY

Jesus used unordinary means to do some unordinary things. Although we are called to serve with Jesus, we can’t serve like Jesus. Jesus had inherited the omnipotence of God. He was able to do things that seem impossible. Jesus works in unconventional ways so that we can have faith in unlikely circumstances. Jesus unordinary works should produce extraordinary faith. Think about the last time Jesus worked it out for you. That should produce a greater measure of faith. Jesus makes a distinction between his work and our work. He used two different pronouns in verse 4. He says we then he says me. We must work, but only he can work like the one who sent him. We all must work. The difference is this. Our works are a product of our faith. His works produces our faith.

In verse 6 Jesus begins working. The Bible says he spat on the ground and made mud with the Saliva. He took the mud and anointed the man’s eyes. He then told the man to go to the pol of Siloam. The man went to the Pool then he came back seeing. If God can restore sight using mud then imagine what he can do with your mess. The Lord can put his super on your natural and do some supernatural things. In John’s Gospel he does not refer to these extraordinary happenings as miracles. He describes them as works. Miracle implies that it was impossible. But God specializes in things that seem impossible. Chapters 1-12 in the Gospel of John are referred to as the book of signs. During this period of the narrative Jesus performed 7 signs

He changed the water to wine in Chapter 2

He healed the official’s son in Chapter 4

He healed the paralytic by the pool in Chapter 5

He fed the 5000 in Chapter 6

He walked on water in Chapter 6

He healed the man born blind here in Chapter 9

He raised Lazarus from the dead in Chapter 11

Jesus did these things so that we might look at him as the promised messiah. God gave us proof so that we could trust in Christ even when it seemed difficult for us to believe at all.

CONCLUSION

God sent Jesus to serve men, so that men might believe Jesus was his son. His works help our faith. His faithfulness should increase our faith in him. His works here on earth should help us believe on him for eternity. His help during our earthly situations should help us to believe in him for our salvation. Jesus service on earth points us to the salvation in heaven. He works right now to build our faith for tomorrow.