Glorifying God: The Blind Man
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The account of the blind man who glorifies God is a profound narrative found in the Gospel of John, specifically in John 9. This account not only highlights the miraculous healing power of Jesus Christ but also underscores the theme of glorifying God through the transformation of one's life and testimony.

Biblical Context

In John 9, Jesus encounters a man who was blind from birth. The disciples question Jesus, asking, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2). Jesus responds, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him" (John 9:3). This statement sets the stage for the miracle that follows, emphasizing that the man's condition was an opportunity for God's glory to be revealed.

The Miracle

Jesus proceeds to heal the man in a unique manner. He spits on the ground, makes mud with the saliva, and applies it to the man's eyes. He then instructs the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man obeys, and upon washing, he gains his sight (John 9:6-7). This miraculous healing is a testament to Jesus' divine authority and power, and it serves as a catalyst for the man's journey of faith and testimony.

The Testimony

After the healing, the man becomes a living testimony to the power and glory of God. His neighbors and those who had seen him begging are astonished and question how he gained his sight. The man simply declares, "The man they call Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes. He told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and then I could see" (John 9:11). His straightforward testimony points directly to Jesus as the source of his healing.

Confrontation with the Pharisees

The Pharisees, skeptical of the miracle, interrogate the man and his parents. Despite their pressure, the man boldly maintains his testimony, asserting, "Whether He is a sinner I do not know. There is one thing I do know: I was blind, but now I see!" (John 9:25). His unwavering stance in the face of opposition further glorifies God, as it highlights the transformative impact of Jesus' intervention in his life.

Spiritual Insight

The narrative culminates in a deeper spiritual revelation. After being cast out by the Pharisees, the man encounters Jesus again. Jesus reveals Himself as the Son of Man, and the man responds with faith, saying, "Lord, I believe," and he worships Him (John 9:38). This act of worship is the ultimate expression of glorifying God, as the man not only receives physical sight but also spiritual insight, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.

Theological Implications

The account of the blind man serves as a powerful illustration of how God's works are displayed through human weakness and suffering. It challenges the notion that afflictions are always a result of personal sin, instead presenting them as opportunities for divine intervention and glorification. The man's journey from blindness to sight, both physically and spiritually, exemplifies the transformative power of encountering Christ and the resultant call to glorify God through one's life and testimony.
Nave's Topical Index
Luke 18:43
And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Blind Man of Jericho.
... And the blind man said unto him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.". ... And
straightway he received his sight, and followed him in the way, glorifying God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the blind man of jericho.htm

Quinquagesima Sunday. And Jesus Said unto Him, Receive Thy Sight ...
... And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. ... [Jn.8:12].
God said, let there be light: and there was light. ... "O poor blind man, be of ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/quinquagesima sunday and jesus said.htm

Cii. Bartim??us and his Companion Healed.
... { ^b thee?} ^a 33 They say { ^b And the blind man said} ^a unto him, Lord, that
our eyes may be opened. ... b in the way. ^c glorifying God: and all the people ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cii bartimaeus and his companion.htm

And Jesus Said, to Judge the World am I Come...
... Can a demon haply open the eyes of a blind man? ... [2582] But Jesus said, This sickness
is not unto death, but for the glorifying of God, that the Son of God ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxxvii and jesus said.htm

Saving Faith
... which were most admirable, for he followed Jesus in the way, glorifying God. ... neither
did she with a loud voice glorify God as the restored blind beggar did ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/saving faith.htm

C. The Last Stages. Chs. 17:11 to 19:28
... it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by ... 43 And
immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the last stages chs.htm

Man's Passions and God's Purpose
... legends of a race, instead of glorifying, should blacken ... over all this foaming torrent,
God's steadfast bow ... As blind instruments, even in their rebellion and sin ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mans passions and gods purpose.htm

Man's Chief End
... good to others, to be eyes to the blind, feet to ... This man must needs bring glory
to God; for he shows to ... I am hearing and praying, I am glorifying God; while I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 mans chief end.htm

A Day to be Remembered
... The blind man said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight ... Christ likes not blind followers:
"and followed him ... Glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/a day to be remembered.htm

Blasphemer, or --Who?
... he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.26 ... they were all amazed, and
they glorified God, and were ... They were blind to the pathos of the story, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/blasphemer orwho.htm

Resources
Why does God love us? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong to participate in extreme sports? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong for a Christian to view or listen to Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) triggers? | GotQuestions.org

Glorifying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Glorifying

Glorifying God by David

Glorifying God by Jesus

Glorifying God for his Holiness

Glorifying God for His: Deliverance

Glorifying God for His: Faithfulness and Truth

Glorifying God for His: Grace to Others

Glorifying God for His: Holiness

Glorifying God for His: Judgments

Glorifying God for His: Mercy and Truth

Glorifying God for His: Wondrous Works

Glorifying God is Acceptable Through Christ

Glorifying God: Abraham

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Bringing Forth Fruits of Righteousness

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Confessing Christ

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Doing all to Glorify Him

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Doing all to Him

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Dying for Him

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Faithfulness

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Glorifying Christ

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Patience in Affliction

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Praising Him

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Relying on his Promises

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Suffering for Christ

Glorifying God: All the Blessings of God are Designed to Lead To

Glorifying God: All, by Nature, Fail In

Glorifying God: Angels

Glorifying God: Blind Man

Glorifying God: Centurion

Glorifying God: Christ, an Example of

Glorifying God: Commanded

Glorifying God: David

Glorifying God: Deliverances

Glorifying God: Due to Him

Glorifying God: Faithfulness and Truth

Glorifying God: Gentiles at Antioch

Glorifying God: Grace to Others

Glorifying God: Heavenly Host Engaged In

Glorifying God: Heavenly Hosts Engaged In

Glorifying God: Judgments

Glorifying God: Leper

Glorifying God: Man Sick of the Palsy

Glorifying God: Mercy and Truth

Glorifying God: Obligation of Saints To

Glorifying God: Paul

Glorifying God: Punishment for Not

Glorifying God: Required in Body and Spirit

Glorifying God: Saints should Persevere In

Glorifying God: Saints should Resolve On

Glorifying God: Saints should Unite In

Glorifying God: Saints: Persevere In

Glorifying God: Saints: should Resolve To

Glorifying God: Saints: Unite In

Glorifying God: Shall be Universal

Glorifying God: Shepherds

Glorifying God: The Angels

Glorifying God: The Blind Man

Glorifying God: The Centurion

Glorifying God: The Church at Jerusalem

Glorifying God: The Congregation at Jerusalem

Glorifying God: The Gentiles (Non-Jewish People) at Antioch (Of Syria)

Glorifying God: The Holy Example of Saints May Lead Others To

Glorifying God: The Holy Example of the Saints May Lead Others To

Glorifying God: The Leper Whom Jesus Healed

Glorifying God: The Man Sick With Palsy

Glorifying God: The Multitude

Glorifying God: The Shepherds

Glorifying God: The Virgin Mary

Glorifying God: The Wicked Averse To

Glorifying God: The Woman With Infirmity

Glorifying God: Woman With Infirmity

Glorifying God: Wondrous Works

Related Terms

Presently (25 Occurrences)

Recommend (2 Occurrences)

Reference (23 Occurrences)

Praising (35 Occurrences)

Praise (487 Occurrences)

Immediately (141 Occurrences)

Numbering (35 Occurrences)

Glorification (1 Occurrence)

Whereon (45 Occurrences)

Free-hearted (3 Occurrences)

Reformation (24 Occurrences)

Returned (328 Occurrences)

Profession (9 Occurrences)

Praised (101 Occurrences)

Picked (43 Occurrences)

Proved (49 Occurrences)

Communicating (4 Occurrences)

Announcement (3 Occurrences)

Accordance (118 Occurrences)

Silent (120 Occurrences)

Shepherds (55 Occurrences)

Struck (373 Occurrences)

Glorify (49 Occurrences)

Loud (222 Occurrences)

Age-during (167 Occurrences)

Front (327 Occurrences)

Face (780 Occurrences)

Standing (334 Occurrences)

Laying (87 Occurrences)

Sight (522 Occurrences)

Spoken (631 Occurrences)

Laid (552 Occurrences)

Departed (270 Occurrences)

Risen (169 Occurrences)

Followed (201 Occurrences)

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)

Rose (279 Occurrences)

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)

Voice (651 Occurrences)

Received (312 Occurrences)

Glorious (91 Occurrences)

Fellowship (114 Occurrences)

Bed (142 Occurrences)

Turn (963 Occurrences)

Lay (524 Occurrences)

Towards (416 Occurrences)

Receive (350 Occurrences)

Thyself (352 Occurrences)

Sirach

Healed (106 Occurrences)

Ministry (44 Occurrences)

Wisdom (320 Occurrences)

Solomon (277 Occurrences)

Anem (1 Occurrence)

Glorifying God: The Angels
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