“He said to the man who was paralyzed — ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.’ And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God” (Luke 5:24-26)
The gospel of Luke records several miraculous healings. These show Jesus’ supernatural power and his mercy towards people in need. Luke 5 is about a paralyzed man who is forgiven and healed, and Luke 18 is about a blind man whose sight is recovered. Both stories end with the remark that the healed man and the crowds that are watching, glorify God.
When these people meet Jesus and experience his salvation work for themselves or see it at work in others, they do not just thank him for it as they would thank an ordinary human benefactor. They realize that God is at work here and therefore praise Him.
Jesus’ goal is to open people’s eyes for the Father’s glory (see John 14:27) and to increase God’s glory even further. This is also the purpose of our life, if we live in accord with Jesus Christ. Romans 15:6 phrases it as follows: “that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Do you glorify God for the wondrous work of salvation that Jesus has done in your life and in the lives of people around you?