Reading: Mark 10:35-52

Scripture

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.Mark 10:49-52 (NIV)

Observation

“What do you want me to do for you?” This is Jesus' response to blind Bartimaeus' cries for mercy, and is exactly the same response as the one he makes to John and James in the story immediately before. But something about their attitude was different: Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”What they wanted was a position of importance, to be seated at the right and left of Jesus in glory. And yet despite their forwardness and the inappropriateness of their request, Jesus doesn't rebuke them for asking. He simply explains to them why he can't grant that request, and takes the opportunity to teach them about what it means to be great in the kingdom of God.

Application

Jesus expects me to ask him for things – things I need, and things I'd like him to do. In Matthew 7:7-8, he tells me, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”It's possible that at times I might ask for something inappropriately, but Jesus won't mind. It's an opportunity for him to teach me. On the other hand, to not ask at all – that would be a great shame. What blessing might I miss out on for lack of boldness in asking, or from simply not understanding that the God I serve delights to show his love and kindness to me.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for these two stories. I want to be an “asker”, and to enjoy the riches of your kindness to me. I don't want to miss out on anything you have for me because of my own lack of faith or understanding. Please give me faith, and open my eyes to see you as you really are, and to know your love which surpasses all understanding.