Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Blind Man

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Topical Encyclopedia

The account of Jesus healing the blind man is a profound illustration of divine intervention in response to faith and prayer. This narrative is found in the Gospel of John, specifically in John 9:1-41. The account not only highlights the miraculous power of Jesus but also underscores the importance of spiritual insight and the transformative power of faith.

Biblical Account

In John 9:1-7 , the narrative begins with Jesus encountering a man who had been blind from birth. The disciples inquire of Jesus, "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 shifts the focus from blame to the purpose of God's glory being revealed through the man's condition.

Jesus then performs a unique miracle. He spits on the ground, makes mud with the saliva, and applies it to the man's eyes. He instructs the blind man, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam" (John 9:7). The man obeys, and upon washing, he returns with his sight restored. This act of obedience is a crucial element in the narrative, demonstrating the man's faith and trust in Jesus' command.

Spiritual Insight and Faith

The healing of the blind man serves as a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment. The physical restoration of sight parallels the opening of spiritual eyes to the truth of Jesus as the Messiah. The man's journey from physical blindness to sight is mirrored by his progression from spiritual ignorance to faith. When questioned by the Pharisees, the man boldly testifies, "One thing I do know: I was blind, but now I see!" (John 9:25).

The Pharisees, however, remain spiritually blind, unable to recognize the miracle's significance or the identity of Jesus. Their skepticism and adherence to legalistic traditions prevent them from seeing the truth. In contrast, the healed man's faith grows, culminating in his worship of Jesus when he finally meets Him again. Jesus reveals Himself to the man, saying, "You have now seen Him; in fact, He is the One speaking with you" (John 9:37). The man responds with belief and worship, acknowledging Jesus as Lord.

Theological Implications

This account emphasizes the power of prayer and faith in eliciting divine response. The blind man's healing is not merely a physical restoration but a testament to the transformative power of encountering Christ. It illustrates that faith, even when expressed through simple obedience, can lead to profound spiritual and physical change.

Moreover, the narrative challenges the notion of sin as the sole cause of suffering, presenting an alternative perspective that suffering can serve a greater divine purpose. The account encourages believers to seek God's glory in all circumstances and to trust in His sovereign plan.

In summary, the healing of the blind man is a powerful example of answered prayer, demonstrating that faith and obedience can lead to both physical and spiritual restoration. The narrative invites believers to open their spiritual eyes to the truth of Christ and to trust in His power to transform lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 18:38,41-43
And he cried, saying, Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Healing of the Man Born Blind.
... One, Who had power to open the eyes of the blind - a marvel ... principle more frequently
repeated by the Rabbis, [4165] than that answers to prayer depended on ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the healing of.htm

Prayer --The All-Important Essence of Earthly Worship
... thing I know, whereas I was blind I now ... Do the possibilities of prayer cover all
temporal and ... The answers to these questions are of transcendental importance. ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/iii prayerthe all-important essence of.htm

The Prayer of Faith.
... Why, that God will grant answers to prayer when it is ... Many professors can understand
about the prayer of faith just as much as a blind man does of colors ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture v the prayer of.htm

The Cat came Back
Touching Incidents and Remarkable Answers to Prayer. ... She never strays away of her
own accord, and certainlv no one would steal an old blind cat.". ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/the cat came back.htm

Miracles of Healing Solicited by the Sufferers.
... the man says, "If thou wilt;" the Lord answers, "I will ... but two recorded instances
of the blind praying for ... of this group, the question of prayer generally; for ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/v miracles of healing solicited.htm

The Man that Stopped Jesus
... knows what he wants, and answers without hesitation ... the highest blessing, nor the
truest meaning, of prayer. ... His will.' If any poor, blind Bartimaeus remembers ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the man that stopped jesus.htm

The Resurrection of Lazarus. --The Prayer of Christ. (John, xi. ...
... for him; to class it, in fact, among answers to prayer. But as Christ's whole life
was one prayer, in the ... standing; of the man that was born blind; the raising ...
/.../section 233 the resurrection of.htm

Victory Found
How I Know God Answers Prayer. <. ... I felt much as the blind man must
have felt when he said, "I see men as trees, walking" (AV). ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/x victory found.htm

The Christian Prayer
... greater. We do not look upon Him as a cold abstraction or blind force, but
as a loving, kind Father. ... 21). ANSWERS TO PRAYER. Nothing ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study vii the christian prayer.htm

Answers to Prayer
... her son,"a prayerful, dutiful young man,"and said ... had recorded that He would make
the blind to see ... repeatedly proved that the Lord hears and answers prayer! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm