“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks this question twice within the chapters and verses of Mark’s gospel. The first instance occurred when James and John asked Jesus to grant their request for places of honor in God’s kingdom. Not knowing what they were asking, theirs was a request motivated by status and inward focus.
The second instance of Jesus asking this question occurs within the text before us. On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus heard the cries of Bartimaeus as he pleaded for mercy. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. Bartimaeus knew Jesus was the Messiah; he had faith that the son of David was truly the Son of God. In faith, he requested that his sight would return.
What do you want Jesus to do for you? Are you hoping to have your wants and desires filled according to your ideals? Or do you pray that God will have mercy and give you sight clear enough to see Jesus for who he is, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? Recognize Christ within your midst. Call out to him in prayer.
Prayer: Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
In the Beginning 