“What do you want me to do for you?” Imagine standing at the feet of Jesus and he asks you this question. We read of two instances within Mark’s Gospel that this happens. The first occurrence is when James and John asked Jesus to grant them places of honor in God’s kingdom. Not knowing what they were asking, they made 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 Bartimaeus, a man who had lost his sight, cry out to him. Bartimaeus pleaded for mercy. He knew Jesus was his only hope. Even as the people attempted to stifle his cries, Bartimaeus continued making his appeal to Christ.
What do you want Jesus to do for you? Certainly his mercy and grace are sufficient to overcome anything that might stand in the way of joy. Would you ask for healing, faith, or forgiveness? Or would you pray that God will have mercy and give you sight clear enough to see Jesus for who he is, the Lamb of God through whom you have life in abundance?
Recognize Christ as he stands within your midst. Call out to him in prayer and don’t allow any of the powers that defy God to get in your way. He will hear you.
Prayer: Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
In the Beginning 