"What do you want Me to do for you?"

The Lord Jesus Christ said this to a blind man who came to Him. Mark 10:46-50

The blind man replied, "Master, I want to see!" Mark 10:51

Aren't we all in need of something?

Some may think and say that they're rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing. Revelation 3:17

A few may think and say that they're righteous: not like other people are, extortioners, unjust, or tax collectors. Look, Matthew 6:2, 16 they fast twice every week and give tithes [10 percent] of all that they possess. Luke 18:9-12

Sometimes we believe that we know what we need or want so our prayers mention these things, for ourselves and for others. Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:1-2

A paralyzed man was carried by four friends to Jesus so that He would heal him. Mark 2:3

They believed that this is what was needed and their desire brought creative access to the Lord through the roof of a house. Mark 2:4

Jesus saw their faith in their actions Mark 2:5 because faith without works is dead. James 2:20, 26

But the Lord knew that the paralyzed man needed something more than only healing for his body.

Jesus said to him, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:5

Some were offended at Jesus Who claimed to have power on earth to forgive sins. Mark 2:6-7

The Lord could forgive and heal, which He did. Mark 2:8-12

At another time, a man crippled for 38 years also wanted healing and believed in it but couldn't obtain it. John 5:2-7

Jesus healed him. John 5:8-9

Later, the Lord found this man in the temple and warned him, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you." John 5:14

The warning about the danger and power of sin John 8:34; Romans 6:20-21; 7:5; 1 Corinthians 15:56; Hebrews 3:13 was what he really needed but didn't know it until Jesus spoke to him.

When Jesus asked the blind man, "What do you want Me to do for you?" Mark 10:51 most could have thought that this was unnecessary to ask.

Why?

Because he was a blind beggar. Mark 10:46

It would have been obvious to all that he needed to receive his sight and be given money or provisions until he could find a job to support himself.

What needs and wants did Jesus see in the man that the Lord could have satisfied?

What else could he have needed other than to see?

What else could WE need and want that isn't obvious to others or even ourselves?

Did the blind man also need forgiveness for his sins?

Did he also need a purpose in life beyond living in a sightless world on roadsides begging to be able to survive?

What about us?

Do we want to know that we're making a difference? Jude verse 22

Do we need to know that our sins are washed away because of what Jesus did for us? Hebrews 9:14; Revelation 1:5

Do we want Him to increase and ourselves to decrease? John 3:30

Do we need the Father to watch over His garden's branches so that we bear much fruit? John 15:1-2, 5

Do we want to know Christ and the power that raised Him from the dead, to share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death so that we have hope that we'll be raised from the dead? Philippians 3:10-11

Do we want to know that the Lord is our Shepherd and we shall not want? Psalm 23:1

Do we want to have all sufficiency in all things because of the Father's favor? 2 Corinthians 9:8

Is Jesus saying to you and me today, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

Maybe our answer could be,

"Lord, I'm not sure what to ask. You know all things. I want to follow You and be useful. Usually, I don't feel very useful in my little world of work and homelife. Please give me what I REALLY NEED. Please put Your desires into me and fulfill your purpose. Thank you."

Jesus said to the blind man, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:52

The blind man received his sight, which is what he wanted, Mark 10:51 and began to follow Jesus even though Jesus told him, "Go your way."

In other words, you received what you wanted. Now, go and do what you want, too.

The blind man who had been given his sight CHOSE to FOLLOW Jesus.

May we also be so pure --

Receive what we've asked according to His will 1 John 5:14-15 and follow the Lord. John 21:22

Your thoughts?

R. Jason