'What do you want me to do for you?'

If you're reading this in an email, scroll down to the very last link and click the link to view in your browse

"So Jesus answered and said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?'   Mark 11:51
Please read Mark 11:46 - 52

Jesus is coming. He's just outside of Jericho and already people are lining the road in anticipation of Him passing through. The authorities are pleased that such a dignitary is coming through the town. They have heard so much about what Jesus of Nazareth has been doing. They're hoping to see Him in action.
The crowds are getting thicker now and people are bustling to get to the front to get a better view. There's a beggar sitting in the gutter, covered in filth. His name is Bartimaeus and he is blind. No one's taking much notice of him. He's just after money after all is said and done and there is far more important things to look forward to than bothering with him. 
I hear him asking what all the fuss is about and someone tells him that Jesus is passing through any minute now. He comes alive then and starts shouting at the top of his voice, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.' People around him are telling him to shut up, but he carries on shouting, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.' 'Keep that beggar quiet,' says one of the crowd, 'He's a total embarrassment. Go on, get away from here before we move you.' Bartimaeus takes no notice and carries on shouting. Tempers are rising now and some try to kick him.

Suddenly, Jesus is there and hearing Bartimaeus shouting, looks around and asks for him to be brought to Him. 'Hey, beggar, Jesus of Nazareth is calling for you.' With that Bartimaeus jumps to his feet and pushes through the crowd towards where he thinks Jesus is. 'Hey watch it, beggar,' shout some of the crown, 'stop pushing us around.' There's a look of determination on the man that I have never seen anywhere. He's desperate and despite tripping up several times, he eventually reaches where Jesus is. People are laughing at him.

'What do you want me to do for you?' Jesus asks him. 'Rabonni, that I may receive my sight.' I hear Jesus saying to him, 'Go your way; your faith has made you well.' And with that, his sight is restored. He can see. Jesus has healed him. He can see. Tears are rolling down my cheeks. I've never seen anything like it. The beggar is leaping around and trying to hug Jesus. The crowds have changed their tune also, they're now shouting with joy and excitement, probably because they've seen a miracle. The place is in uproar.

This is how it would have been that hot morning near Jericho. A desperate man, who couldn't see knew he probably had only one chance to meet with Jesus and nothing was going to stop him from doing this. He didn't care what others felt about him. He knew that Jesus could restore his sight if only he could get to Him. He trusted Jesus and He'd never even met Him. He knew Jesus was the answer.

What about you? What would you ask for if Jesus said to you, 'What do you want me to do for you?' Have you the faith that this beggar had? This desolate, outcast that no one cared for? Or are you going to let Jesus pass by and then have a life time of regret. He's here right now and He is asking you the same question He asked Bartimaeus. How are you going to answer Him?

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard 

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com