The Questions of Jesus (Week 3) - What do you want me to do for you?
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Matthew 20:29-35 NLT: 29 As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. 30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31 “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” 34 Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.
Not only were these men blind to what was happening, but the crowd was also blind to them. They couldn’t see Jesus and Jesus followers couldn’t see them.
When we follow Jesus at the speed of being human, it’s easy to fly past people or principles critical to the act of rightly following. We get ahead of Jesus.
Luke 8:14 NLT: 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.
Gal. 5:25 NIV: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Isaiah 1:17 NIV: Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
Jesus’s question invited and elevated the voices of the suffering, overlooked, and oppressed. They had been told to be quiet; now everyone would hear them.
Jesus’s question invited the ones seeking him to name their needs and pain.
Jesus’s question revealed His heart to all of us. “I hear you. What do you want from me? I am listening and I care.”
I Peter 5:7 NIV: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Almighty God, You have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication unto You, and have promised through Your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name You will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of Your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen. — A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
