“What Do You Want Me To Do For You?” – Part One
Mark 10:35-52
February 8, 2004
Purpose: When Jesus asked the same question, first to James and John and then to Bartimaeus, Bartimaeus received because of his faith. When we ask in faith, so can we.
Introduction –
There’s a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge.
He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, “O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge.”
Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull when he saw one. So, he led the man through the streets, to the sea, and into chest deep water.
“What do you want?” Socrates asked.
“Knowledge, O wise Socrates,” said the young man with a smile.
Socrates put his strong hands on the man’s shoulders and pushed him under.
Thirty seconds later Socrates let him up, “What do you want?” Socrates asked again.
“Wisdom,” the man sputtered, “O great and wise Socrates...wisdom.”
Socrates pushed him under again. Thirty seconds passed…thirty-five…then forty.
When Socrates let him up, the man was gasping for air. “What do you want, young man?”
Between heavy, heaving gulps the fellow wheezed, “Knowledge, O wise and great and wonderful…”
Socrates jammed him under again. This time for almost a minute, and then he let him up “What do you want?” came the familiar question.
Without any hesitation the young man answered, “Air! I want air!”
It was then that Socrates looked sympathetically at the young man gasping before him, “When you want knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge.”
(M. Littleton in Moody Monthly, June 1989, p.29)
Telling the Biblical Story
In our passage this morning, we see Jesus asking the same question as Socrates. First, he asked it of two disciples, and then to the blind man.
In the encounter with James and John, they came looking for prestige and recognition, Jesus told them that it was not for Him to give.
They asked for preferential treatment, Jesus replied that the kingdom of God doesn’t work that way. And in the midst of uproar among the disciples over James and John’s bold request, Jesus reminded his disciples that in the kingdom, those who wish to be great must serve, those who wish to be first, must be a slave.
In short, if you want prestige, power, and recognition in the kingdom, you don’t ask for it (like the young man visiting Socrates) you earn it by being baptized as servants just as Jesus came to serve, giving his life as a ransom for many.
But then there’s the rest of the story…
We now hear from the blind man. Screaming at the top of his lungs to get Jesus’ attention as he walked down the dusty road.. He’s not looking for prestige or recognition. He’s only looking to be healed.
So when the crowd, probably including the disciples, tried to quiet him, he became even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” was his cry.
And when Jesus stopped and called the blind man forward, the question reappeared again, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
The blind man simply answered…. “I want my sight.”
The words “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” was heard by the blind man, but then, in that very instant, Bartimaeus saw as well as heard.
The blind man got what he wanted, the disciples did not. Why?
Practical Application…
Today, there are millions of people praying to God for something. And one of the greatest challenges to our faith is when we don’t get what we’re praying for.
When June Ailman Yoder was with us to preach on this passage, she left Jesus’ question hanging with each of us. She asked us to picture Jesus standing right in front of us asking “what do you want me to do for you?” And she reassured us that it is okay to ask for what is really on our hearts and to expect Jesus’ response.
This morning, I don’t want to negate that, but clearly, this Scripture shows us that the disciples didn’t get what they wanted, but Bartimaeus did.
Could it be that this miracle was another teaching moment for the disciples, including ourselves?
James and John, I am sure, heard that Jesus used the same question with the blind man as he did with them. Can you imagine standing there having that inside information?
And we know that Jesus never asked a question that he didn’t already know the answer to. So, what made this blind man’s request so different?
Was it the way he asked? No, both the disciples and Bartimaeus addressed Jesus with respect.
Was it what they asked for? Maybe, but in both cases it was something that would personally benefit.
Was it a timing thing? No, the scripture doesn’t indicate what time of day it may have been.
The only clear difference we have in these two portions of scripture is Jesus’ response to the request.
To the disciples, he gave them a lecture on kingdom dynamics. To the blind man, he simply said, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” And if we look at the other times Jesus healed, we see that he said these words often.
It was in faith that kept Bartimaeus shouting. It was in faith that he stood up and went to Christ.
It was in the sincerest faith that he asked for his sight.
Jesus replied “your faith has made you well.” And it was done.
As Christians, we need to realize that in our faith we have something awesome:
We have a love that no one can fathom.
A life that can never die.
A righteousness without tarnish.
A peace that surpasses all understanding.
A rest that can never be disturbed.
A joy that can never be diminished.
A hope that can never be disappointed.
In our faith we have,
A glory that can never be clouded,
A light that can never be darkened,
A purity that can never be defiled,
A beauty that can never be marred,
A wisdom…that can never be baffled,
And resources that can never be exhausted. (Paul Fritz, www.sermoncentral.com)
In short, because our faith in Jesus Christ, we already have it all…for all things are possible…we can seek it and find it, ask for it and it shall be given, we can knock and the door will be opened…it’s a faith thing.
I was in line at McDonalds with my family the other day when it hit me. We often come to Christ with our requests as if we’re ordering a super-value meal. “Yes, I’ll have a reassurance sandwich, with a side of prosperity, and a large, refreshing dose of hope to wash it all down. And super-size it!”
Just like the young man who came to Socrates, and James and John in their request to Jesus, we come wanting it all without putting anything of ourselves into the mix. But the blind man, laid it all on the line, ignoring the crowd, he stood up, and made his way to Christ on faith and received his request.
I’ve come to realize in my own life that when we ask in faith…we don’t disappointed if we don’t get what we prayed for, we know that Jesus has something better in store.
When we ask in faith…we’re willing to be servants instead of people who lord ourselves over others.
When we ask in faith…we give up control because we know that God has it under control.
Chuck Swindoll once said that “Nothing under God’s control is ever out of control.” Praise be to God.
It’s like the words of a Steven Curtis Chapman song that says,
“If the truth were known, and a light were shown, on every hidden part of my soul,
Most would turn away, shake their heads and say, he’s got such a long way to go.
If the truth were known, you would see, that the only good in me is Jesus. Oh, it’s Jesus.”
Next week we’re going to continue this series by talking about loving ourselves in order to love others.
And the week following, we’re going to look for those unanswerable answers.
But this morning, I want to leave you with this…
Where is your faith at this morning?
When the cave-ins of life have occur, have you been so busy looking for reasons, that you’ve missed God’s comfort?
When you’ve needed some answers, have you been so busy looking, that you’ve missed a faith-growing moment?
When you’ve wanted something so much, prayed for it so hard, and not received it, have you been so busy looking for explanations, that you’ve forgotten Jesus’ presence, which will never leave nor forsake.
“What do you want Me to do for you?” – Jesus asks us.
When we reply in faith, his answer will always be, “Go your way, (for) your faith has made you well.”
Will you join me in prayer?
Gracious God, we rely on our faith in you. Forgive us when we don’t.
Gracious God, we rely on our faith in you. Help us when we don’t get expected answers.
Gracious God, we rely on our faith in you. Strengthen our faith, so that when you ask the question, we
can reply with a servant’s heart.
Lord, be our vision. Today we only see dimly. Help us to put our faith in the One who sees our past,
our present and our future clearly.
We ask this in faith, and in the miraculous nature of your Son Jesus Christ, Amen.
Closing Song - #451 – Be Thou My Vision
Benediction
Grant us, O Lord, that what has been said with our lips we may believe in our hearts,
and that what we believe in our hearts, we may practice in our lives;
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Note: If for any reason you did not find this sermon helpful or would like to make a comment or ask a question, please feel free to contact me at gb@clergy.net. Your input will help me personally and my congregation as I learn Spiritually and professionally.
