part 1: eyes of faith john chapter 20. what do our eyes really “see?” can we trust our eyes?

Part 1: Eyes of FaithJohn Chapter 20

What do our eyes really “see?” Can we trust our eyes?

Literary Structure Sections Repetition

Motifs Phrases Words References back to earlier material

Key Message

Second (and Subsequent) Generations John 20:31

“…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.” (ESV)

Five Sections Mary, Peter, and John at the Tomb Mary at the Tomb The Disciples (minus Thomas) in the Upper

Room The Disciples with Thomas in the Upper Room Future Generations

Repetitions Motifs

Unbelief Setting Evidence Questions and Doubts More evidence Understanding Belief Commission Witness

Repetitions Phrases

“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

“Stooping to look in.” “[I / We] have seen the Lord.”

Repetitions Words

“Saw” “Seen” “Look” “Seeking” “See”

“Showed” “Signs” “Believe” “Believed” “Believing”

Repetitions References back to earlier material

Burial cloths Lazarus “Whom are you seeking?”

First words of Jesus Question to mob sent to arrest Jesus

“Week” motif Gathering of first disciples in John 1-2 Crucifixion week

Commission and Holy Spirit John 13-17

Part 1: Eyes of Faith Part 2: Open Tomb Part 3: Locked Door Part 4: Signs, Sight, Faith

Found in John Chapter 9 The man is born blind Disciples wonder who is at fault Jesus puts mud onto the man’s eyes The man goes to wash at Siloam The man returns seeing People don’t believe he is the same man

The man tells his story The man tells his story, again Pharisees deny the sign (miracle) Pharisees try to get real story Parents deny the sign (out of fear) Pharisees try to force man to deny sign The man questions Pharisees’ motives

Pharisees continue to deny The man testifies to his faith Pharisees throw man out of fellowship Jesus finds the man Jesus confirms the man’s faith The man worships Jesus Jesus discusses spiritual blindness

When did the man begin to believe? As soon as he heard Jesus speaking to His

disciples How did the man come to believe?

He had already heard about Jesus First-hand, second-hand, etc. reports

It wasn’t through sight – he couldn’t see! The words of Jesus gave hope

The blind man Had no basis for believing other than what he

had heard Chose to believe based on indirect evidence A new perspective of God gave him hope Experienced healing Becomes a witness His faith is validated Had more faith than the disciples Had more faith than those that “knew” God

First person to believe is John Does so based on indirect evidence

Mere presence of Jesus does not lead to belief Mary must hear Jesus’ words The disciples must see Jesus’ wounds

Observing miraculous signs doesn’t necessarily lead to belief

Physical presence of Jesus doesn’t necessarily lead to belief

How does faith come about?

A combination Evidences of God’s power God’s promises God’s acts to bring healing and salvation Answers to questions about God Personal encounter with the risen Christ The story of God’s love and grace Human witnesses to the above

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

John 17:20-23 (ESV)

“The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

John 17:20-23 (ESV)

Jesus said to him [Thomas], “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:29 (ESV)