Matthew 20 - What do you want me to do for you?

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Matthew 20

​​“Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The cries of two blind men. The following crowds attempt to silence them, but they cry out even louder and more determined, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Jesus stops.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks.

There is no hesitation. They know what they came for and what they want. “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” They want to be healed; to see.

Immediately their sight is restored. Immediately they follow Him.

The contrast between the blind men and the rich young man from Matthew 19 is not lost on me. The blind men come in desperation. They know they are utterly unable to help themselves. The rich man comes pretty comfortable with his situation, but looking for that one missing thing…assuming it isn’t too costly to get. The blind men, poor in spirit. The young man, rich in worldly possessions.

“Teacher,” the young man calls out as he addresses Jesus. “Lord, Son of David,” the blind men cry out. The young man looking for a little more knowledge; the blind men looking for a Savior.

Sorrowful, the young man walks away from Jesus. Restored, the blind men follow Jesus. Oh, how it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven. The perceived sacrifice is just too much. The perceived need is not quite as deep. But in walking away, the restoration never comes. Because the sacrifice is nothing compared to the reward and the need is so much deeper than realized.

The rich young man looks to his possessions, and clings tighter. The laborers in the parable look to the right and left, comparing work and wages. The disciples look to the future, hoping for royal status and position. The followers of Jesus continue trying to receive rewards according to the world’s standards, while Jesus continues explaining that His kingdom and reward system are unlike any other. It can’t be earned. There will be persecution and suffering. The cost of following is no joke. The first will be last and the last first. The great one is the one who is the serves, not the one being served.

Though Jesus already knows, He asks, “dear child, ______ [insert name], what do you want me to do for you?” He wants to hear it from our own mouth. He already knows what we need. Do we?

God, today I commit to spend time in thought and prayer about specific requests. You know what I need. I want to be in agreement with You over it, and then firmly planted in Your truth, I want to boldly approach You and ask for it. 

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