“What do you want Me to do for you?”
Twice Jesus posed that question to those who sought His attention.
Here’s the first occasion.
“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want You to do for us whatever we ask.’ 36‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ He asked. 37They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at Your right and the other at Your left in Your glory.’ 38‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?’ 39‘We can,’ they answered. Jesus said to them, ‘You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40but to sit at My right or left is not for Me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.’” – Mark 10:35-40
And the second incident occurred shortly afterward.
“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means ‘son of Timaeus’), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 49Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’ 50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’ 52‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” – Mark 10:46-52
James and John didn’t get what they wanted, but Bartimaeus did. These disciples must have calculated how best to petition the Lord, but the blind man could not prepare. He jumped on an unexpected opportunity to meet Jesus.
“What do you want Me to do for you?”
Both parties had to answer the Lord. His question challenged them to express the desires of their hearts. And that can feel threatening.
“What if God disapproves?” “Will my request offend Him?” “Do I have a right to ask?”
Many people suspect that desires conflict with the spiritual life. You can either pursue your own interests or seek God, but you can’t do both. You have to choose!
Yet according to Jesuit priest Jim Martin, “desire is a key way that God’s voice is heard in our lives.” Do you believe that the Lord cares about you? Do you want to listen to Him? Then you must become aware of your feelings. And you need to vocalize them; you have to tell God what you want because as you do, you invite Him to reply.
“What do you want Me to do for you?”
Through this question, Jesus reveals authority and humility. The sons of Zebedee believed that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. Anticipating that He would set up God’s kingdom, they wanted prime positions in the new administration. James and John recognized Christ’s authority, but they overlooked His humility.
Bartimaeus must have heard reports of miracles, exorcisms, and healings. These stoked hope in his soul–”why not me?” Convinced of Jesus’ authority, the blind man learned about His humble heart, too. Christ didn’t take credit for the healing; instead, He ascribed it to the faith of Bartimaeus. His eyes received sight, but so did his spirit.
“What do you want Me to do for you?”
Ponder Jesus’ question to you. Consider the authority and humility of the Lord. Whether your desires are planned or sudden, Jesus can deal with them. Whether they’re spiritual or material, He can address them.
Don’t hide your heart from the Lord. As you reveal yourself to Him, He discloses Himself to you.
And He answers.
And He acts.
“What do you want Me to do for you?”
Recent Comments