Topical Bible: Glorifying God: Woman With Infirmity

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Topical Encyclopedia

The account of the woman with an infirmity is a profound illustration of faith, healing, and the glorification of God. This narrative is found in the Gospel of Luke, specifically in Luke 13:10-17. It provides a vivid depiction of Jesus' compassion and authority, as well as the appropriate human response to divine intervention.

Biblical Account

In Luke 13:10-17, Jesus is teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. Among the attendees is a woman who has been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She is described as being bent over and unable to straighten herself. The text states, "When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said, 'Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.' Then He laid His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began to glorify God" (Luke 13:12-13).

Theological Significance

The healing of the woman with the infirmity is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates Jesus' authority over physical and spiritual ailments. The woman's condition is attributed to a spirit, indicating a spiritual bondage that manifests physically. Jesus' ability to heal her with a word and a touch underscores His divine power and authority.

Secondly, the timing of the healing—on the Sabbath—highlights Jesus' lordship over the Sabbath and His challenge to the prevailing legalistic interpretations of the Law. The synagogue leader's indignation at the healing taking place on the Sabbath is met with Jesus' rebuke, emphasizing the value of compassion and mercy over rigid adherence to tradition.

Response of Glorification

The woman's immediate response to her healing is to glorify God. This act of glorification is a natural and appropriate response to the divine intervention she experiences. Her praise is a public acknowledgment of God's power and goodness, serving as a testimony to those present. The text notes, "The entire crowd was rejoicing at all the glorious things He was doing" (Luke 13:17), indicating that her glorification of God had a communal impact, leading others to rejoice and recognize God's work.

Application for Believers

The account of the woman with the infirmity serves as an encouragement for believers to trust in Jesus' power to heal and deliver. It also calls believers to respond to God's work in their lives with praise and glorification. The narrative challenges individuals to prioritize compassion and mercy, reflecting the heart of God, and to recognize the importance of glorifying God in all circumstances.

In summary, the account of the woman with the infirmity is a powerful reminder of Jesus' authority, the importance of faith, and the rightful response of glorifying God in the face of His miraculous works.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 13:13
And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Changed Life
... remarkable recovery from a great infirmity, for instead of bondage which had held
this woman for eighteen years we behold her standing upright glorifying God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a changed life.htm

Saving Faith
... and hence the tears; in his the infirmity was uppermost ... The woman, it is said, loved
much, and she ... admirable, for he followed Jesus in the way, glorifying God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/saving faith.htm

John iv. 40-43
... not, it is the fault of their infirmity, not of ... Him through the words of the woman,
the second ... to persist just the same in giving thanks, in glorifying God. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxv john iv 40-43.htm

Miracles of Healing Unsolicited.
... mustard seed and the leaven, may, I think, have immediate reference to the cure
of this woman, and show that he regarded her glorifying of God for her ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/iv miracles of healing unsolicited.htm

Book ix. In the Last Book we Treated of the Indistinguishable ...
... the heretics deceive certain of the unlearned into ascribing to infirmity in the ...
the less to be confessed also Son of God: for by glorifying God through Lazarus ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book ix in the last.htm

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
... God to be glorified, and aim at glorifying him yourself ... answered your prayer, you
really have prevailed with God. ... you had promised to some poor woman that you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/prayer perfumed with praise.htm

Sweet Comfort for Feeble Saints
... that there is such a thing as glorifying God by sweeping ... prays for that boy; she
wrestles with God, and her ... blind, and lame, and halt, and the woman with child ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/sweet comfort for feeble saints.htm

Book iii. The Words of the Lord, I in the Father...
... may be glorified with God, even as He was glorifying His Father ... If God is His Father
and the sole source of His ... The answer is that a woman--and a fortiori the ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book iii the words of.htm

The Father.
... in heaven and on earth is named [980] : glorifying Him with ... that He was begotten
of a man and a woman. ... add yet another testimony in proof that God is called ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture vii the father.htm

Forgiveness Made Easy
... forth his Son Jesus Christ, born of a woman, made under ... God does forgive sin for
the sake of glorifying Christ. ... whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/forgiveness made easy.htm