Monday, May 5, 2025
As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Hearing a crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening. 37 “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him. So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then those in front told him to keep quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to him. When he came closer, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see.” “Receive your sight,” Jesus told him. “Your faith has saved you.” Instantly he could see, and he began to follow him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. Luke 18:35-43
What Do You Want Me To Do For You?
Bartimaeus was a blind man who sat by the road and begged for his existence daily. Most people didn’t pay much attention to him. He was just there – day after day. Until one day when Jesus passed by and Bartimaeus called out to Him. Jesus stopped and asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Bartimaeus was used to being ignored so he probably figured that Jesus wasn’t going to pay any attention to him. Everyone around him treated him like he was not important, that he didn’t matter and that there was nothing they could do for him. His fate was sealed. He had been a blind beggar all his life and he would be for the rest of his life. But Jesus had a different answer. Jesus’ response to Bartimaeus’ question was an instant fulfillment of his request. He asked Jesus to be able to see again and Jesus said, “Receive your sight, Your faith has saved you.” Instantly he could see, and he began to follow him, glorifying God.
He could have asked for anything, but he just wanted to be able to see. And Jesus healed him because of his faith. The Messiah walked by, noticed him in a crowd of people at the edge of the road. He heard him through the din of the crowd, and he cared enough to stop and ask him a question.
How does Jesus’ question to the blind man give us hope and new sight?
The story of a blind man, seemingly insignificant and ignored by so many every day. But Jesus saw him as important enough to stop and listen to him – his cries and his needs. We can have hope because we know that Jesus loves us and hears our cries. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts when they glorify him. He wants us to trust him with our desires. We may never ask out of lack of faith. James 4:2 says that we don’t have because we don’t ask.
Jesus is asking us the same question he asked Bartimaeus. It is a question that we could all answer with a long list of all the things we really need. He knows everything we need just like he already knew what Bartimaeus needed. He knows, but he wants us to ask him anyway. He wants us to call out to him above everything.
What is the greatest need in your life? How have you sought to meet that need in the past? If Jesus were to ask you today, “What do you want me to do for you?” how would you respond?
