Monday Thought -- July 25, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ He called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Lord, I want to see,’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.” (Luke 18:35-43)

This man’s need was obvious – he was blind. His blindness put him in a position of great distress, so much so that he was reduced to begging in order to sustain his life. Anyone who walked by could easily discern what the man’s need was – his sight needed to be restored so he could provide for himself.

So, why did Jesus ask, “What do you want me to for you?” Jesus was brilliant and He operated with supernatural discernment. There are stories from Jesus’ life in which he knew what was happening in people’s lives even when they were not near Him. There are stories in which He revealed that He knew what people were thinking. Yet in this story it seems that He couldn’t ever figure out a need so obvious that everyone could tell what it was.

Perhaps there are other reasons Jesus asked His question. Not very beggar really wants to be healed. They have become accustomed to begging. It’s what they know and are comfortable with, perhaps even the only way they’ve ever made a living. Perhaps Jesus was asking the man to be sure he knew what he really wanted.

Perhaps Jesus wanted to draw attention to what He was about to do – heal the man’s blindness. Stopping and taking the time to ask the question would have gathered the crowd around the blind man. More people would see the miracle and praise God because Jesus paused to question the man.

Perhaps Jesus wanted to man to ask specifically for what he wanted. No general request would be sufficient. Jesus wanted the man to spell it out – not for Jesus’ sake – but to focus the man’s mind and heart on what he really needed.

Are you sure you really want what you are asking God to do? Are you asking for your own benefit, or are you truly interested in bringing praise to God? Have you taken the time to focus your mind and heart so that you can ask God specifically?

His, by Grace,

Steve