In the last Weekly Word, we began looking at questions Jesus asked of His followers and those He encountered. These questions were not asked to gain information, but rather to help people reflect, repent, believe, follow, and trust Him. When we are confronted by Jesus’ questions, what is our response? Are we willing to answer honestly? Questions have a way of reaching the heart.
Jesus still asks questions today through His Word, through prayer, and through the prompting of His Holy Spirit. Are we willing to listen and answer Him?
Today I want to look at another question Jesus asked: “What do you want me to do for you?”
Let’s look at Matthew 20:29-34:
29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”
32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus, in pity, touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
Here were two blind men sitting alongside the road, begging for Jesus to show them mercy. The passage tells us that as soon as they heard Jesus was passing by, they began to cry out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” In doing so, they acknowledged who Jesus was. They had likely heard reports of Jesus healing the sick and performing miracles.
Like many who were disabled in that day, they sat by the roadside hoping to receive alms from passing by. Yet they did not ask Jesus for money; they asked for mercy. They recognized His authority and power as Lord. Although those following Jesus tried to silence them, they cried out even louder.
Jesus noticed them and responded. Rather than immediately healing them, He asked a question: “What do you want me to do for you?” Their need seemed obvious, yet Jesus still asked.
Jesus already knew what these men wanted and needed, but He invited them to articulate their request. He desired that they express their need openly and honestly. In the same way, Jesus wants us to be clear and sincere as we bring our desires before Him.
This question also called forth faith and expectation on the part of the blind men. It revealed what mattered most to them. Their answer came without hesitation: “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes and restored their sight.
If the Lord asked us this same question today, what would we ask for?
Would it be something physical or spiritual? Would we ask for ourselves or for someone else? Would our request focus on something temporary or something eternal?
This reminds me of an incident in the Old Testament found in 1 Kings 3:5-14, where God asked Solomon a similar question:
“Ask what I shall give you.”
Solomon could have asked for wealth, power, long life, or victory over his enemies. Instead, he asked for wisdom and understanding so he could govern God’s people well. His request pleased the Lord.
God responded:
“Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word.” (1 Kings 3:11-12)
Not only did God grant Solomon wisdom, but He also blessed him with riches and honor beyond what he had requested.
In both of these accounts, the Lord responded favorably to those who answered His question in faith. When we bring our needs and desires before Him, we can be confident that He hears us and cares for us.
Let us be open, honest, and specific in our requests. Let us ask in faith and wait with expectation, just as David expressed in Psalm 5:3 (NIV):
“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
The Lord delights in blessing His people according to His perfect will.
When the Lord asks us, “What do you want me to do for you?”, may we have a ready answer. Then, having entrusted our requests to Him, let us wait expectantly, knowing that He is both willing and able to meet our needs—and often to do far more than we could ask or imagine.
In Christ,
David ‘PK’ VanderKlay
