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 reduced him to begging to sustain his life. Anyone could easily
discern what the man’s need was – he needed to see.
Why did Jesus ask, “What do you want me to for
you?” Jesus operated with supernatural discernment. He knew what was happening
in people’s lives even when they were not near Him. He knew what people were
thinking. But He couldn’t even figure out the obvious need of the blind man.
Why did Jesus ask His question? Not very beggar
wants to be healed. Begging is what they know and are comfortable with, perhaps
the only way they’ve ever made a living. Jesus was asking the man to be sure he
knew what he really wanted.
Jesus wanted to draw attention to what He was
about to do – heal the man. 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.
Jesus wanted the man to ask for what he wanted.
Jesus wanted the man to spell it out to focus the man’s mind and heart on what
he really needed.
Are you sure you really want what you are
asking of God? 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
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