This is # 209 in the Restoration Series.
Introduction: Restoration. Jesus heals the blind man and Peter makes the great confession that is still the rock of confession to the church. This confession is to be our foundation of faith in Christ Jesus.
I. This is not only the healing of the blind man, but the compassion of friends.
A. Jesus cared not only for the blind man, but his friends.
II. Let us now relive the scene described here. Vs 23a
1. They are the ones that begged Jesus to touch him.
B. When people pray, Jesus listens.
a. They cared enough to want him well.
2. The friends had faith to believe Jesus could heal him.
b. Even after many years of his being blind, his friends still cared for him.
a. They �begged� Jesus to heal him.
b. A lesson in intercession, caring enough to pray [beg]. Ephesians 1:15-16
1. Then Jesus cares enough to receive and act in their behalf. Galatians 6:10
A. Here Jesus has compassion for the blind man.
III. The miracle took place in stages. Vs. 23b
1. There was a big noisy throng of people were there.
2. The man is excited, nervous and bewildered.
B. The wisdom of Jesus.
1. The man was taken aside, away from the crowd.
2. He was put at ease by the presence of Jesus.
A. Note what Jesus did.
IV. The great confession of Peter, who Jesus is. Vs 27
1. He spit on his eyes. [Many believed in the healing power of spit]
2. He put His hands on him.
3. Jesus asked, �What do you see?� Vs 23c
4. The response Vs 24
5. Vs 25 �Look up,� four of his five senses at work.
6. This put his faith in action, seeing, hearing, speaking, feeling Jesus� presence.
A. Note difference between man�s idea of Messiah and God�s idea of Messiah.
V. Jesus was facing the end very, very soon.
1. Men would not object to a Messiah that is a deliverer, savior, provider and protector.
B. Jesus� object was to make sure His disciples saw Him as God�s Messiah and not man�s Messiah.
2. Man wants one to bring a utopian society that will bring justice and plenty for everyone.
3. What man wants is a Messiah that will fit his wants and desires and passions.
4. Man wants a full belly, bodies clothed and housed.
5. They want the good things of the world without paying the price.
1. He made sure they understood God�s way of salvation.
2. God�s utopia was victory after death and life that lasted for all eternity.
A. Time for the disciples to learn that He was building the foundation for His Church.
VI. But what about your confession? Vs 29
1. An assembly of people who would be confessing Him to be the Messiah.
B. The disciple�s response to the question was very important.
2. The question to be asked was one of the most demanding ever asked. Vs 27b
3. The answer determines a man�s eternal destiny.
1. Describe Caesarae Philippi
a. Baal worship, where pagan god Pan was supposed to have been born. [14 temples]
2. It was against this background that Jesus asked this question.
b. First called Panias from pagan god Pan.
c. Herod the Great built a temple to worship Caesar.
d. Herod�s son Philip adorned the temple.
e. Philip changed the name to Caesarae Philippi
a. What men said, �shortchanged�Jesus. Vs 28
3. Today there is some of that same false confession.
b. A great man, one of the greatest.
c. John the Baptist, Jesus had received his spirit
d. Elijah, because he miraculously fed the widow and her son.
e. One of the prophets, one brought back to life
a. Jesus was just a man of great faith
b. A man of great ability to teach
c. The ability to lead men to God and set great moral standards
A. Who do YOU say that I am?
Conclusion: Restoration! This confession is just the beginning of one�s spiritual journey. So much we have to study and learn about Jesus. That is the process of coming to know Him.
B. Three important facts stressed here.
1. �Saith� � To ask, question Jesus kept on asking them. The answer required thought and correct belief and genuine confession.
C. The life of The Church rest on this confession.
2. The answer given was immediate, �Thou art the Christ�, the prophesied Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Matthew 16:16
3. The question was very emphatic; the answer was critical, all-important. It determines a person�s eternal destiny.
1. Who do you say Jesus is?
2. Is He your Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of the Living God?
3. Your confession of Jesus determines your eternal salvation.