What Do You Want?
Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”
This is a huge question. Jesus asked blind Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” We can also answer this question.
About the Story
Today, we will be looking at a tale found in the book of Mark 10:46-52. A little background on this story Jesus had been travelling around and changing people’s thoughts on many things.
That’s right, previously in this same chapter, Jesus sets some new standards for marriage and talks about divorce as well.
Later, the disciples scold parents for bothering Jesus and bringing their children to him to be blessed, but instead, Jesus scolds the disciples for not letting the children come to him.
Then he tells a very religious rich man to sell everything he has! Which seemed crazy to everyone who heard his instructions!
He then predicts his death, which confused people because he was supposed to be the saviour, and how could Jesus save if he was dead?
Then he tells his disciples that if they want to be a leader, they need to learn to serve. All these things were backward thinking, and then we get to our story – in which Jesus asks someone a colossal question, What do you want me to do for you?
We shouldn’t stop asking and maybe even expressing our true feelings about how desperate we are for Jesus to intervene and then patiently and respectfully come to him again and again until he responds. After all, he won’t be annoyed with our persistent and desperate requests.
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Application
I think there is a couple of lessons that stand out to me as we tell this story! First, you will not annoy Jesus with desperate attempts for him to hear from you. Others were annoyed at Bartimaeus but not Jesus. He had compassion for him and gave Bartimaeus his full attention.
Right, Jesus always has time, even for people who society sees as unimportant or insignificant. Just look at the stories earlier in the chapter. Jesus blesses children. Another time, he tells the disciples that they got it wrong when they were competing or desiring for the best position in heaven one day! What is the second lesson?
I think we can be just as bold Bartimaeus and tell Jesus precisely what we want from him!
Indeed, the things that we want Jesus to do for us may not feel, to us, as significant as Bartimaeus’s request but let me assure you that he wants you to answer his question. What do you want me to do for you?
Question Bradon. What if Jesus’ response to us isn’t as miraculous as in this story? I mean, Bartimaeus was healed, and it was a drastic life-changing event!
You are right; not all of God’s responses are going to be seen as miraculous though some are! First, I think we are to be grateful for the response we do get from Jesus. Second, I believe Bartimaeus can relate. He was likely blind for a long enough time that he became super desperate. Also, Bartimaeus had probably asked many to help and asked God for healing, but he did not get what he wanted until this moment. He had lived with something he didn’t want for a long time.
So, we shouldn’t stop asking and maybe even expressing our true feelings about how desperate we are for Jesus to intervene and then patiently and respectfully come to him again and again until he responds. After all, he won’t be annoyed with our persistent and desperate requests.
