Luke 18 – The Blind Man in Jericho:
Once the blind man finds out it is Jesus who is passing he persistently calls out to Jesus “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”. In return Jesus hears his cry, stops, and approaches him.
I like what Jesus says. But is it what I would say? I don’t think so.
Jesus says, “What do you want me to do for you?”
He doesn’t say, “What do you want?”
I definitely would have been like “What do you want?” Especially since that is how I respond when anyone asks me to do anything. Okay, fine you need something, so what do you want? Best case I wouldn’t ask it in insincerity, but out of sincerity. If you need something I want to help you — so I think: What do you need? What do you want?
Maybe the “…me to do for you?” is implied when I ask the question.
But since I don’t say it I think it says a lot about me.
I don’t say it so it’s like I could potentially avoid the request. Perhaps if the thing is too hard or demanding I simply can say, “Oh, I can’t do that.” Then I could walk away and feel good that I at least asked the person what they needed.
I don’t own it. I don’t own my offer of help. I can back out if the demand is too demanding.
But not Jesus.
Jesus doesn’t come to you and your needs and hear what it is and say “Oh, no I can’t do that”. He owns it from the start. “What do you want me to do for you?” Whatever it is I will do it for you. If you make the request, if you are persistent in your plea, He will hear you, He will respond with an offer of sincere, I-will-do-it-for-you help.
Dear Jesus, hear my plea! Have pity on me! Jesus, I trust in you. Just as you helped the blind man in Jericho please help me with what I need. I need [X]. Please Jesus, have pity on me. And please give me persistence in prayer and a faith that saves. I trust in you Jesus. Hear my plea! Amen.
As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
Give God Your Yes 