YOUTH STS LESSON 151_ THE 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).
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 qu”stio’ 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
fore-shadow 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.