YOUTH STS LESSON 151THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

TEXT: John 9:1-41   

MEMORY VERSE: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).

The opening verse of this chapter gives the testimony of Jesus’ feeling to human needs. He knows when we are burdened with needs and He is ready to meet us at the point of our needs “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth” (verse 1). He never closed His eyes to the problem of human suffering because He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). The healing of the man brought another conflict with the Pharisees. Before this time, there had been a long drawn battle between Jesus and the religious leaders. The truth Jesus spoke always, pricked their consciences but they always rejected it. They hated Jesus so much that they would not accept His miracle no matter how glaring the evidences were. The example is seen in our text (verses 26-29).

1.MIRACULOUS CURE OF THE BLIND MAN AND ITS LESSONS (John 9:1-12; Luke 18:35-48; Luke

4:18)

Jesus Christ had faced many oppositions and persecutions from the Jews and the Pharisees. He never allowed these oppositions to distract His attention from His ministry. Though Jesus escaped from this threatening danger, He was still willing to show mercy to this poor blind man.

Question 1: What should be our attitude to those in need and sinners around us?

We must show compassion to those who are in need and lend a helping hand in righteousness according to our ability in the school, neighbourhood, fellowship and the church. To sinners, we must reach them with the gospel message; give them tracts, Youth Life Magazines, Higher Everyday, and handbills to invite them to church programmes. The compassion of our Lord Jesus towards this man was very tender. He saw him and looked upon him with concern. “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” (verse 2).

The question which the disciples asked Jesus is noteworthy. They got to know that this man was born blind. Perhaps, Jesus had told them or they knew it by common recognition. Instead of them to move Jesus to heal him, they asked a very odd question concerning him. They did not understand the fact that the One who was the Light of the world was standing at the doorstep of the blind man’s darkened world. They did not know that the act which they were just about to witness would foreshadow how the Daystar from on high would shine His light into the hearts of all sin-sick and blind souls. As Christian youths and workers, the main lesson is what our attitude should be towards the need of people around us. We are to be positive and see how to help them out and where we could not, we should refer them to our leaders. “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (verse 3). Christ’s answer to the disciples’ question was always appropriate to teach them and to correct their mistakes. We should beware of judging those who suffer affliction. Moreover, sicknesses have various causes including sin (John 5:14), satanic attacks (Luke 13:16), natural disaster, curses and poor hygiene (Deuteronomy 23:12-14).

Question 2: What is our duty as Christian youths to this generation?

Our duty as Christian youths is to shine forth the light of Christ in this dark world. “A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14). The glorious quality of Christ’s claim shines forth in today’s text. The opening of the blind man’s eyes does not only testify to the fact that the Lord is able to give sight to the physically blind but also to the spiritually blind. The blind man symbolises the world in its blindness, loss and sinfulness. In spite of the advancement in technology, religious professions and the claims of this generation, millions are blind spiritually because the god of this world has blinded their hearts (2 Corinthians 4:4). They stumble as they journey through life and fall into the captivity of sinful practices which are the instruments used by the devil to steal, kill and to destroy them. It is only when youths have received their sight from the Lord that they can begin to behold the brightness of the glory of God. Until then, unregenerate youths will continue to suffer in spiritual darkness.

Question 3: How can Christian youths receive miracles from God?

The instruction given to the man to go and “wash in the pool of Siloam” was a test of faith. The blind man must have known that the pool of Siloam could not heal but he went there in obedience to the word of the Lord. The miracle of healing he received was as a result of total obedience. Today, believers can experience great miracles and deliverances by obeying the word of God and appropriating its promises. The pages of the Bible are filled with exceeding great and precious promises for the believer. When we trustingly obey the Lord and take Him at His word, we will experience miracles. The fact that the Lord was able to give sight to the blind man should remind us of the greatness of God’s power. As human beings, we should never feel that our situations are so bad that there is no sign of hope. “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).

MALICIOUS ACTS OF THE PHARISEES AND ITS WARNINGS (John 9:13-34,39-41; 7:21-24; Mark

2:23-28; 3:3-6; Luke 13:14-17; 14:3-6; 11:23; Proverbs 29:25; Isaiah 5:20,21)

“And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see” (verses 14,15). The Pharisees accused Jesus of violating the rules of the Sabbath though His act had been in perfect harmony with the Spirit and the principle behind the letter of the Law of Moses. The Lord healed on the Sabbath on several occasions. He did that to demonstrate the triumph of grace over the Law and to remind us that He was indeed the Lord of the Sabbath. The Pharisees, who held persistently to the letter of the Law, were upset. In their blindness, they accused Him of polluting the Sabbath. Indeed they had omitted the weightier matters of the law while trying to keep the traditions of the elders. They could not bear the light of the truth but did all they could to cover and hinder it. “Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them” (verse 16). There was division in the camp of the Pharisees. God, in His wisdom, often allows disagreeing voices to bring enemies of the gospel to a standstill. He often takes the wise in their craftiness in order to fulfil His plan and purpose. The poor man refused to be silenced nor bought-over by their prejudice but was firm in his conviction of being a witness of the power and grace of Christ. Therefore, with comfort and courage, he proclaimed “I was blind, now I see”. He was bold to upbraid them for their wilful and unreasonable opposition to the evidence of this miracle, neither did he satisfy them with a

repetition of the story, but bravely replied “I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? Will ye also be his disciples?” (verse 27). Youths who have a personal encounter with Christ are often filled with strong conviction and courage in the face of opposition. They should not be of a fearful hearts but should cheerfully tell their testimonies anywhere. The man went further to talk against their ignorance, this made him to be cast-out of the Synagogue.

MINISTRATION TO THE OUTCAST: OUR EXAMPLE (John. 9:35-38; Psalms 27:10; 103:6; Isaiah

49:15; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Acts 15:36)

When Jesus heard of the man being cast out, He went to seek him to encourage and comfort him. This means that Jesus Christ will be sure to stand by His witnesses and those that follow Him, His truth and His ways. Our Lord Jesus knows and observes all the faithful testimonies we bear to Him at any time, and a book of remembrance is written which will be for our credit in heaven and at this present time. Jesus Christ will graciously find and receive those who for His sake are unjustly rejected and cast out by men. Our Lord Jesus examined the man’s faith by asking him: “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?”. The healed blind man enquired concerning the Messiah he was to believe in, professing his readiness to embrace Him and get close with Him. “He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?” (verse 36). It is the work of a minister as well as saved youths to tell people who the Son of God is, that they may believe on Him (John 20:31). Our Lord Jesus therefore, graciously revealed Himself to him as that Son of God on whom he must believe. “And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee” (verse 37). Jesus always reveals Himself to those who sincerely seek Him (John 4:25,26), and He is often nearer to the souls that seek Him. The poor man professed his faith in Christ, “Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him”. He would not doubt anything said by He, who had shown such mercy to him, and wrought such a miracle for him, nor doubt the truth of a doctrine which was confirmed by such signs. It is high time youths sought the Lord, be ready to learn from Him, believe His word, practice and preach it. Christian youths must seek after converts and other believers to encourage and strengthen them in the Lord.