DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
WHAT DO YOU WANT? | Day 33 of 40 (LENT)

“What do you want me to do for you?”

Hold up.
Did I just read that right?

“What do you want me to do for you?”

No mistake. That’s what it says.
Jesus actually asked that???
Twice. In the same chapter?

How would you answer that question?
If God’s Son asks you, “What do you want me to do for you?” or “What do you want?”, what would you say?

A job?
A house?
A child?
A spouse?
Peace?
Love?
All of the above?

What do we want?
What are we asking the Maker of the world to do for us?

C’mon, Bible scholars. It’s Friday. Let’s have some fun.
Let’s look at the text.

Day 33:
Look at: MARK 10: 46-52

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” ^52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

This passage is pregnant. I just don’t have enough space on this blog to do it justice. But let’s just give the summary:

Bartimaeus is blind. He wants to see. When he hears that Jesus (the One who has done miracles and can actually restore sight) is passing by, Bartimaeus starts shouting. Can’t you see this blind beggar lighting up the side of the road hollering for Jesus. HOLLERING! And he won’t stop. He is making so much ruckus that folks insist that he shut up. No. Not Bartimaeus.

His faith kicks in. Besides, what does he have to lose? Really? If blind Bartimaeus has heard that Jesus can heal, why would he not ask him to heal?

What is it that stops us from asking the Lord for what we want? Pride? Fear of rejection? Lack of faith? Is it that term “WANT”? Would it make us feel better if Jesus asks Bartimaeus “What do you NEED me to do for you?”

After all, Jesus is not Santa Claus sliding down a chimney or a Genie whose belly we rub and get 3 wishes. Would it sound more ‘spiritual‘ if Jesus asks, “What do you need?” But that’s not what the text says. That word ‘WANT’ translated in the original language, is “wish, desire, purpose, will to have”. Jesus is literally asking, “What do you desire?”

Can you understand that we who have the privilege and responsibility of publicly unpacking God’s Word on a weekly basis would be cautious to say, “Jesus is asking, What do you desire?” ‘Cause, we don’t know what folks are gonna come up with! Westerners could hear this scripture and think God is supposed to give them a Rolls Royce or Maybach just cause they wish or desire it.

Is this a wide open request?
Will Jesus give us anything we want?
I’m glad you asked.
Let’s back up a few verses. Same chapter.

Look at: MARK 10: 35-45

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” 43 …whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Context makes all the difference in the world.
Will Jesus give us anything, anything, we want?

Jesus restores Bartimaeus’ sight. Why doesn’t he give James and John the honor of sitting on his right and left in glory? Don’t they deserve it? They are 2 of the 3 in Jesus’ inner circle (Peter’s #1). They have left family, career, everything to follow Jesus and have been at His side for 3 years. Jesus has just shared with them that in Jerusalem, He will suffer many things and die and rise again (Mark 10:32-34). Surely, since Jesus is going to rise again, He could hook James and John up with some key positions in glory, right?!

Where’s their Bentley, Jesus?

I’m making light. There’s nothing wrong with a Lamborghini or Bugatti or Porsche, or any material possession, in and of itself, for that matter. And don’t be too impressed that I’m rolling off the names of expensive car manufacturers. Cars are not my thing. I just GOOGLED ‘Most expensive cars’ and this Forbes list came up, pictures and all.

Now, shoes on the other hand… My dear friends gifted me a slammin’ pair of designer heels for my B-day and it was on! I’m still rocking boots my dad gave me Christmas as well as these insane booties from my mother-in-law. And what made these gifts so special is that they came at a time when I cut way back on wishes and wants. I haven’t bought a new pair of shoes in probably a couple of years. All my sister-friends are gasping and clutching pearls. I confess. Sacrifices have to be made. Right now, it’s all about Hollywood Christian Ministries and Hope in the Hills, a bible fellowship we’ve started. That’s it. So maybe I should rephrase my “want/desire/wish” question:

Where are my Stuart Weitzmans, Jesus? Or Christian Louboutins? (His name is Christian!)
Just kidding!

The point is, when Jesus’ disciples selfishly ask Him for fame and fortune, He responds differently than when Bartimaeus asks in faith.

I love the way Mark records Jesus’ contrast.
Same question: “What do you want Me to do for you?”
Different answer.

Bartimaeus gets “Your faith has healed you.”
James and John get, “You don’t know what you’re asking.”

Ultimately, Jesus explains to His disciples that whoever wants greatness must be willing to serve. We’ve been exploring “Upside Down D!” (Discipleship). Here’s a prime example. The way up is down. The way to glory is through humility.

Jesus is not upset with us for hollering at Him from the side of the road. If we learn anything from blind-then-healed Bartimaeus, it is to shout and keep shouting until Jesus stops and calls for us. And when Jesus asks, “What do you want Me to do for you?”, we can rest assured that whatever we ask in faith, He is able to do.

The real question is, “What are we asking for?” or even, “Why?”

Are we seeking fame and fortune to sit next to Jesus on His throne so that all people can bow down and worship us? If that’s the case, we might get hit with one of those, “You don’t know what you’re asking!” or “Greatness is preceded by servitude”.

I’m sure Jesus reserves the right to respond to our requests according to what’s truly in our hearts.

What do we want Jesus to do for us?
What do we want?
Why do we want it?

Just some thoughts to ponder as we head into Holy Week.
One week to go until Easter. I hope this series has been a blessing to you.

Best,
Naima

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DAILY PRAYER (LENT):
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.