Jesus the Light of the World

John 9:1-7, 13, 34-41

GOLDEN TEXT: “I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”—John 8:12

TODAY’S lesson presents Jesus as the great Light-giver, both physically and spiritually. Physical sight is used in the Bible as an illustration of spiritual vision. For example, Jesus said, “Blessed are your eyes, for they see.” (Matt. 13:16) The prophet Isaiah wrote, “All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” (Isa. 52:10) A person who is physically blind is represented in the Scriptures as walking in the darkness.

The Scriptures make it clear that during the thousand-year reign of Christ all the physically blind will have their eyes opened. (Isa. 35:5) The limited extent to which the Master opened blind eyes during the period of His earthly ministry was illustrative of the worldwide work of opening blind eyes during the Millennial age. This will be but a part of the general work of human restitution to be carried on during that time in fulfillment of the Word of God which was spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.—Acts 3:19-23

The cause of physical blindness is sin. Not that one thus afflicted is being directly punished for some special and willful sin on his part, or that his parents were directly guilty of overt acts of transgression against divine law. This affliction, rather, is usually the result of original sin—the sin of our first parents—on account of which the entire human race came under condemnation and is dying. It is a part of the curse, and reflects the dying process by which all are finally laid low in the tomb.

Physical blindness is related to the wages of sin in the same sense as other disabilities. Some have weak hearts, others poor digestion, etc. With some the dying process affects the brain cells, and such have to be put into institutions for the mentally weak and deficient. But none of these afflictions are beyond the reach of Christ, who will be the Great Physician of the next age. Even the dead will respond to His restoration powers.—John 5:28,29

Wonderful as is the prospect of physical healing for all mankind when the Kingdom of Christ is established, that great restitution project would fall far short of the divine objective were it not accompanied by a far-reaching program of spiritual healing. A man who has his physical eyesight restored is still in a lamentable condition unless his mind is enlightened with a knowledge of his God. Likewise, one who is cured of a physical heart ailment is not assured of everlasting life unless what the heart represents in the way of affections and interests is purified and filled with the love of God.

So our lesson presents Jesus as the Light of the world in this further and very important sense. The “light of life” referred to in our Golden Text is the essential knowledge of God and His will, obedience to which will result in everlasting life. Jesus is the “Light of the world” because it is through Him that all mankind will learn to know God and how to serve Him. He is, as it were, the living Word of God. He not only brought “life” (for the world) and “immortality” (for the church) to light through the Gospel, but by His own life of perfect obedience to the Father’s will He pointed out the way for others.—II Tim. 1:10

Details of God’s will may vary—they are different for the church than they will be for the world of mankind—but the principle of obedience remains the same, and is fundamental. Jesus pointed the way to obedience. He obeyed God’s will gladly, even though it cost Him His life to do so. This spirit of full obedience, regardless of the cost, must be exemplified by all who will be considered worthy of everlasting life.

Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” (John 9:5) He commissioned His followers to represent Him in the world following His return to heaven. “Ye are the light of the world,” He said to them. (Matt. 5:14) Jesus is that “true Light” which eventually will “enlighten every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:4,9) But that Light has not yet reached all.

It will be during the Millennium that the light will reach all. Then the darkness of men’s hearts and minds will be removed. Error and superstition will be dispelled, and the people will call upon the name of the Lord to “serve Him with one consent.” (Zeph. 3:9) This is truly a glorious prospect. What joy there will be throughout the world when the people are reached and blessed by the “Light of Life.”

QUESTIONS:

When will both the physical and the spiritual eyes of all mankind be opened?

In what sense are the followers of Jesus now the “light of the world”?

What is meant by Jesus’ expression, “the Light of Life”?

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