What do you want me to do for you?

            Depending on who’s asking that question, the reply sprouts from a multitude of possibilities. If a parent is asking a young child, the child’s reply may simply be, “Help me tie my shoe.” If a store clerk is talking to a customer, the reply might be, “I want help picking out some items.” But what if the person asking that question was the Lord of the Universe, the King of kings, the One who holds all power in the palm of His hand? What would your reply be then?

            This is the scenario we find twice in Mark 10. The first episode involves two young disciples, James and John. Some feel they were teenagers at this time, which there is some good arguments to support that idea. They come to Jesus (though Matthew 20 reveals they actually sent their mom) and ask Jesus to do whatever they ask Him. This may seem bold, yet on other occasions in the gospels Jesus encourages his disciples to approach God the Father with boldness in His name and He would do whatever they ask.

            Jesus replies, “What do you want me to do for you?” James and John proceed to ask that they may sit on His right and left hand in His kingdom. They are asking for the highest seats of power and authority in Jesus’ kingdom. Quite a bold request. Jesus doesn’t seem to rebuke them for their request, but instead helps them understand that they don’t really know what they are asking, He then goes on to clarify what leadership looks like in His kingdom. Leadership is not about being served, but rather serving and sacrifice. That’s a far cry different from the world’s perspective and even James and John’s perspective at that time. Jesus ultimately informs them that those positions are not for Him to grant, but rather His Father. So He does not fulfill that request, but neither did He rebuke their boldness in asking.

            The episode immediately after this involves a blind man named Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus, like James and John, calls out to Jesus wanting Him to do something for him. Jesus replies in the same way He did to James and John, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus asks for his sight.

            Now in one sense that can seem like a bold request. It required faith to believe that Jesus could do a miracle. Bartimaeus had heard of Jesus’ other miracles and believed that Jesus would do one for Him. So there is an element of boldness in that he believes Jesus can do a physical miracle, but Jesus could do so much more. I’ve often wondered if Bartimaeus sold himself short on this one. Jesus just asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” That seems open ended and Jesus' two disciples were willing to ask for the highest seats in the kingdom after Jesus said that. The thief on the cross asked to be remembered in Jesus’ kingdom and Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” But Bartimaeus asked only for his physical sight. Jesus, in His mercy, granted that to Bartimaeus, but I wonder if Jesus was ready to do far more in His life.

            What about you and me? Do we sell ourselves short in our prayers? Are we crying to the Lord asking Him to do something for us, but He’s willing to do so much more? Might He be saying to you right now, “What do you want me to do for you?” What will be your reply?

            “And Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’” Mark 10:53