Topical Bible: Glorifying God: Blind Man

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The account of the blind man who glorified God is a significant narrative found in the Gospel of John, chapter 9. This account not only highlights the miraculous healing power of Jesus Christ but also underscores the theme of glorifying God through the works of His Son.

Biblical Account

In John 9:1-12, Jesus encounters a man who was blind from birth. The disciples inquire about the cause of his blindness, 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.

Jesus proceeds to heal the man by making mud with His saliva, applying it to the man's eyes, and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man obeys and returns with his sight restored. This miraculous healing serves as a testament to Jesus' divine authority and power, leading to the glorification of God.

Reaction and Testimony

The healing of the blind man causes a stir among the people and the Pharisees. The neighbors and those who had seen him begging are astonished and question whether he is the same man. The man affirms his identity and recounts the miracle, saying, "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).

The Pharisees, skeptical of the miracle, interrogate the man and his parents. Despite their disbelief and attempts to discredit Jesus, the man boldly testifies to the truth of his healing. He declares, "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 testimony becomes a powerful proclamation of God's work through Jesus, bringing glory to God.

Spiritual Insight

The narrative of the blind man extends beyond physical healing to convey spiritual truths. Jesus uses this miracle to illustrate the concept of spiritual blindness and sight. In John 9:39, Jesus states, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind" . This pronouncement highlights the spiritual awakening that comes through faith in Christ, contrasting it with the spiritual blindness of those who reject Him.

The blind man's journey from physical blindness to sight parallels the spiritual transformation experienced by believers. His willingness to testify to Jesus' work in his life exemplifies the call for Christians to glorify God by sharing their own experiences of His grace and power.

Theological Implications

The account of the blind man underscores several theological themes. It affirms the sovereignty of God in using human circumstances to manifest His glory. The man's blindness was not a result of sin but an opportunity for God's works to be displayed. This challenges the notion of suffering as solely punitive and invites believers to view their trials as potential avenues for glorifying God.

Furthermore, the narrative emphasizes the role of Jesus as the Light of the World, bringing both physical and spiritual illumination. The healing of the blind man serves as a sign of the Messianic age, fulfilling prophecies such as Isaiah 35:5, "Then the eyes of the blind will be opened" . Through this miracle, Jesus reveals His identity as the promised Messiah, inviting all to believe in Him and glorify God through their faith.

Practical Application

The account of the blind man encourages believers to trust in God's purposes, even in the midst of suffering or adversity. It calls Christians to bear witness to God's work in their lives, glorifying Him through their testimonies. By acknowledging Jesus as the source of spiritual sight, believers are empowered to live as reflections of His light in a world often shrouded in darkness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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