After Jesus healed the blind man in John chapter 9, he asked him, Do you believe in the Son of Man? And today on Truth for Life weekend, Alistair Begg explains why every individual will eventually have to answer this question. And if your answer isn't yes, then it's no. Find out why the Bible leaves no room for fence straddlers as we continue our study. in John chapter 9.
Essentially, this morning's study turns. between a question and an answer. The question is there at the end of verse 35, do you believe in the Son of Man? And the answer which then comes in verse 38, Lord, I believe. Jesus, we learn from the opening part of verse 35, has sought out this man in order to ask him this express question.
The question is there, do you believe in the Son of Man? And I want to suggest to you three things concerning the question. First of all, I wonder would you agree with me that that what Jesus poses is a vital question. A vital question.
Now, some may immediately want to challenge that assertion. They perhaps want to suggest that it would be more accurate to say, well, it is an interesting question, or maybe we could even upgrade it to an important question, but to suggest that it is a vital question in the scheme of things may be an indication of rhetoric rather than accuracy. And so in light of that, it falls to me in suggesting the vitality of the question that I must have the wherewithal to substantiate the assertion. And so I invite you to turn initially to John chapter 3. to explain why it is that I Um offer this as a question which is vital.
John chapter 3. And verse 13. Jesus says no one has ever gone into heaven. except the one who came from heaven. the Son of Man.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
Now remember what the question is. Do you believe in the Son of Man. What are the implications of belief? Answer. Belief is the open door to eternal life.
Therefore, Jesus sets the question in the context of eternity. If you look at verse 18, you have a solemn statement still in John 3 and in verse 18. Whoever believes in him is not condemned. But whoever does not believe stands condemned already. Because he has not believed.
In the name of God's one, and only son.
So the question of believing in the Son of Man, the question posed to this man once born blind, addresses the whole issue of life itself. And in John's Gospel particularly, there are a tremendous number of statements concerning life. It bursts upon us in the prologue when Jesus is introduced. In him was life. And this life was the light of men.
In John chapter 3, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about eternal life. In John chapter 10, he says, I have come that you might have life and that you might have it in all of its fullness.
Well, in every instance, he was speaking to people who had life. who had physical life. who were alive. pointing up the fact that Jesus' use of the terminology speaks to something far deeper, far more significant than simply our journey through our earthly existence, whether it be 70 years or longer. And to this man, he says, I have a question for you.
Do you believe in the Son of Man? He's asking him whether he has ever entered into the discovery of a life that is in Jesus, a life that once in Jesus goes all the way unhindered into eternity.
Now that of course will be challenged by people. It may even be challenged by some who are listening to me now. The idea of a life that will never end. Yes, that's what the Bible says. That once we discover the resurrection life in Jesus, once his Spirit comes to live within us, even though we die, even though they put us away in the ground, still we will live.
Hence the song we sang concerning Easter. And the reality of that truth brings to the Christian an expectation of what is still to be. while they enjoy the privileges of life in the now.
So that eternal life is not something that we aspire to over there when we get there, but eternal life, the life of which Jesus is speaking, is a life which begins now and continues all the way through into eternity.
Now some years ago, maybe 20 years ago, maybe 25 we'd have to go back, people would have poo-pooed this in general conversation. And most people would have said, especially if they came from a scientific background, I never heard such hogwash in all my life. I am a scientist, I'm a rationalist, I know certain things, I have verifiable data, this is all speculation and spurious nonsense. But I have found, and not exclusively but increasingly, that many of my friends who were once marked by that kind of rationalism are beginning to change their tune. Perhaps there is something more.
Perhaps The Bible has something to say.
Now we know Why is the sneaking suspicion there? Because the Bible says that God has said eternity in the hearts of men and women. In other words, a man and a woman Nose. Intrinsically. That death is not a cul-de-sac.
that death is actually a gateway. And it is for that reason that death When it comes in all of its finality, still doesn't end the conversations that people have about their loved ones.
So that even though they may be unbelieving people, they're still talking about where their loved one has gone, or what has happened to their loved one, or how they felt their loved one with them. Why do they say these things? Why can they never imagine themselves dead?
Okay. Do you ever imagine yourself dead in your coffin? It's impossible. Because you're alive imagining it. You can't imagine it.
He's still thinking life, life, life.
Now, when we bring this back to the man born blind. And the assertion that this is a vital question: what are we seeing?
Well, think about it. This man who'd been born blind might have been ready to conclude that his big problem in life was over. After all, his big problem in life was being blind. And Jesus had come and dealt with his blindness. Therefore, no more blindness, no more big problem.
Let's just get on with our lives. He might have been very quickly within earshot of people who, seeing him now, able to move around and enjoy life in a whole different dimension as they talked with one another about the experience and so on. One of them said just before they parted, Well, you know what everyone says, as long as you have your health. That's all that matters. Which is of course one of the mantras of our day, isn't it?
As long as you have your health, That's all that matters, is not all that matters. Not when you put eternity into the picture. Not when you ask this question: do you believe in the Son of Man, and believing is the gateway to eternity? Then it introduces to our portfolios something that is far more significant.
So when Jesus asked this man, about his need. He's asking him about his need of spiritual sight. This man, although he could now physically see, needed to see Jesus, needed to believe in him. If blindness was the issue, then the story was over. I was blind, now I can see.
Question closed. Case closed. Wrap it up. Why does Jesus seek him out? He seeks him out to ask a question.
And I say to you again. It is a vital question. Secondly, you will notice that it is a specific question. It's a specific question. He doesn't ask the man whether he believes something or he believes anything or whether he's feeling religious or whether he's a spiritual man.
Now Because that's another of our mantras in our day, isn't it? People, as a sign-off, they'll say, well, as long as you have health, or they will say, well, all that matters is you have faith. Doesn't that isn't that what our friends say?
Well, it doesn't matter as long as you have faith. What do you mean as long as you have faith? Faith in what? Faith in whom? Jesus isn't asking, are you a religious person?
Do you believe something? Do you believe anything? No, he's asking a specific question. Do you believe in the Son of Man? Now, Son of Man is a designation that you find throughout the Gospels, over 80 times in the Gospels, many of them here in John as well.
We're not going to delay on the term. A good concordance will help you with that. The term derives from Daniel chapter 7. It runs through the Gospels. You find it again reappearing in Revelation chapter 1.
All that matters for our purposes this morning. Is to recognize that in using this designation, Jesus is indicating. his own heavenly and transcendent nature. It is a designation which contains in it All kinds of notions that run from the Old Testament all the way through into the apocalyptic literature of the book of Revelation. And it is, if you like, Jesus' favorite designation.
With only one exception in 1234, the phrase never appears on anyone else's lips except the lips of Jesus. And what he is saying in this is that he is not a son of man, but he is the son of man. The Son of Man who has come down from heaven, hence his origin is transcendent and divine and unique. but he is the Son of Man who has come down and is connected with humanity. He doesn't speak to us from afar.
He comes down to where we are. And he does not come down to where we are to live life free from the extingencies that face other people. He knows sorrow and disappointment and pain and thirst and so on. And indeed, in Isaiah 53, he is depicted as a man of sorrows and one who is acquainted with grief. It is for that reason.
That men and women who themselves are acquainted with grief and who understand sorrow. will find Jesus a wonderful person to seek out. He is there. And he is ready. That he is willing.
In fact, he is the initiative taker. in reaching out to those who are in the predicament of their lostness. Do you believe in the Messiah of God? It's actually it's a question. That is a very relevant question for many of us this morning because we've been developing our understanding of Jesus, some of us, haven't we?
We started off that there's a man called Jesus. We may, as a result of thinking about things, have concluded that he was actually a prophet of God. But we haven't ever come to the point where we have decided that he is the Messiah of God, that he is none other than God Himself. That's the third aspect I want you to notice. The question is not only.
As it is, but it is also an unavoidable question, a vital one, a specific one, and an unavoidable one. It was unavoidable for the man. And actually it's unavoidable for each of us. Do you? Believe in the Son of Man.
Now the answer to that is either yes or no. Maybe is a null. I don't know is a no. I'd like to think about it some more as a no. an unchecked box is a no.
And the reason I say that it is an unavoidable question is this. That although you may go through all of your life seeking to avoid the impact of this question, you will. When God calls you before him, answer this question. Because the Bible says it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this comes judgment. And the basis of judgment is simply and essentially this.
Have you believed? on the Son of God. Have you believed in the Son of Man? Have you cast all of your hope for forgiveness? For time, for eternity?
Have you reached the point where in casting yourself in believing childlike faith upon Jesus, you're able to say, I know whom I have believed. It's an unavoidable question. See, Jesus is inviting the man to trust in the one who is The revelation of God. And in verse 36, it would appear that the man is eager to believe. He's saying, Jesus, if you can answer just one more question for me, I think the longer I have listened to you, the more I find a reason to believe in you.
In other words, that this is not some great quantum leap into oblivion by this man. There is a growing sense of confidence. This man, whom I had never known, has intervened in my life. He has met me. He has opened my eyes.
He has come and sought me out. He is speaking kindly to me now. He has this question for me: Do you believe in the Son of Man? What shall I say to him?
Well, look at what I'll say to him. Who is he, sir? Why don't you tell me, so that I may believe in him? This isn't the response of the Pharisees challenging Jesus. This is humble.
This is genuine. And the Bible assures men and women that when they come to Jesus in this way, if they seek him, they will find him when they search for him with all of their hearts. And this man clearly desired to believe. Desire to believe. Do you desire to believe?
See you can desire to believe and not yet believe. Do you desire to believe? Do you have questions like the man had questions? Do you have a basic question like this? Who is the Son of Man?
Tell me, because I want to believe.
Well then take a leaf out of the man's book. Go and inquire of Jesus. Go to your Bible. Read John's Gospel. Ask Jesus.
Make yourself known to me, Jesus. Who are you? Are you the person that you claim to be? Because it would appear that to this point the man had never even seen Jesus. Otherwise it doesn't make sense.
that he would say, who is he, sir? Which is the word curios in Greek, translated sir here, translated Lord in verse 38, as a result of his eyes being further opened. Who is he, sir? The man asked. And Jesus makes this amazing declaration in verse 37: you have now seen him.
You have now seen him. I've seen him. That was something he couldn't have said before. It's fabulous, isn't it? Maybe there's a smile on Jesus' lips.
You've seen him. In fact, he is the one speaking with you.
Now don't Miss this. and we'll get ready to stop. But you can't miss this, especially if you're here today. Wondering about the claims of Jesus and saying to yourself, I wonder who is this Jesus? I wonder if I can rely on him.
I wonder if I can trust him. What does he actually say about himself? You will have read literature that tells you that there's nowhere in the Bible you can find that Jesus says, I am God. That is absolutely true. There's no place in the Bible where he says, I am God.
But the whole of the Gospels are permeated. with his self-designation. As none other than Son of God and Son of Man.
Now loved ones. If you're thinking then. which I'm sure covers a significant number of you. Here we find ourselves at the very heart of Christianity. You see, What we are confronted with here is the assertion of Jesus.
Do you believe in the Son of Man? Do you believe in the Son of God? Do you believe in the Christ? Do you believe in the Messiah? That's what He's asking.
Do you believe in the Revealer of God? Do you believe in the one who redeems men and women? The man says Who is he? Tell me so that I can believe. Jesus says You're looking at him.
Do you see what he's saying? I'm God. I'm the Messiah. You're looking at the Messiah, same as John 4. Who gives the living water?
That you don't have to come here and get more water. What is this living water? Who provides this living water? If you knew who it was who was telling you this, you'd ask him, he'd give you living water. Who is this?
We know when the prophet comes. Jesus says, Ego, I'm me. It's me.
Now For those of you who read C.S. Lewis, You remember C.S. Lewis says we have three options essentially. In relationship to such an assertion, either Jesus is deluded Yeah. He just doesn't know what's going on.
Or he is a deceiver. A flat-out liar. Or he is. The incarnate God. Lewis.
in his memorable statement says then Deductively.
So you can Come to him. And Spit at him as a demon. Or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But do not come to him with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great moral teacher. He has not left that option open to us, he didn't intend to.
So, to believe in the one way. is inevitably to close down The other options. Do you believe in the Son of Man. If The Unitarians are right. We are wrong as Christians.
And we are idolaters. Because we have made a man into a God. Therefore, we have broken the first commandment, and we ought to acknowledge before the living God that we're absolutely wrong. If they're right. And the question is.
Have you examined? The book. Jesus? A deceiver? Jesus?
Deluded? Or Jesus. The very person he claimed to be. And then you see the question remains, doesn't it? Are vital?
Specific. Unavoidable question. Do you believe? Yeah, I believe. What?
Some people get off the bus at that stop.
Well, it can't be as simple as that. There's becoming a Christian. Do you believe? Yes, I believe. Oh, you've got to make it harder than that, Alistair.
I mean, anything that simple is very difficult for me. If you could make it very difficult for me, then that would be a lot simpler. Right?
So, when you tell people, come on now, would you believe in Jesus? They're slipping down rabbit holes all over the place. Excuses and reasons for not believing. Do you believe? I always think of my friend Paul when I ask this simple question: how he was in Edinburgh University studying to be a vet.
And uh He was being pressed upon by various people from the Christian Union and invited to different things and given books to read. Are you reading your Bible and have you considered this and so on? And eventually they prevailed upon him in the midst of all of these considerations of the claims of Jesus and they took him to a Christian retreat center. And he told me afterwards how scared he was going into this retreat center and especially having to room with one of these Christian fellows. And before they ended the evening, as they packed their stuff up and were ready for lights out, the fellow from the other bunk said to him, Paul, I just have to ask you: Do you believe in Jesus?
And Paul said, I looked at the guy and I said, I believe. In Jesus. And he said, I mark my conversion. From that moment In that room. in response to that vital specific And in that case, unavoidable question.
It's actually the question for everyone. For everyone. To you. Believe. In the Son of Man.
You're listening to Truth for Life Weekend. That is Alistair Begg with a vital question each of us must answer. And if you're not able to answer Alistair's question with a confident yes, I want to encourage you to visit our website, truthforlife.org. There, you'll find thousands of messages to help answer questions you may have about Jesus. All of Alistair's teaching is free to stream.
And while you're on the website, check out the book we are currently recommending titled The Story of God and Us. It's a book that lays out the chronological storyline of Scripture in an engaging narrative beginning with creation. The author takes you up close, into the action, so to speak, from Genesis to Revelation. For example, as you read about the Garden of Eden, you'll unpack the deceptive strategies of the serpent so you can more readily recognize when Satan uses those same tactics against us. This book is a captivating survey of the entire Bible.
The author points out important lessons for us to take to heart along the way. To find out more about the book The Story of God and Us, visit our website, truthforlife.org. Thanks for studying the Bible with us. Join us next weekend when we'll learn why becoming a Christian isn't simply a decision to clean up your life a bit. It's a complete transformation.
The Bible teaching of Alastair Begg is furnished by Truth for Life. Where the Learning is for Living.
