What Do You Want Me to Do for You?

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Jesus and his followers came into Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, together with his disciples and a sizable crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son, was sitting beside the road. When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!” Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him forward.” They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.” Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.” Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way.
Mark 10:46-52 CEB





The Gospel of Mark is full of healing stories, to the point where the gospel glosses over some of them because there are so many. One of the reasons why this healing story unique is that Bartimaeus performs an active role in his healing! There’s a previous healing story in Mark of a man with blindness, and this man takes on a passive role when Jesus comes to him. Bartimaeus is different; he cries out to Jesus, leaps up when Jesus calls him and has the wisdom to ask for his sight to be restored.
            Bartimaeus taking an active role in his healing matters. When he hears that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by, he immediately cries out for mercy in the face of strong opposition from the surrounding crowd. In the midst of a crowd determined to silence him, Bartimaeus is persistent and courageous. He does not cease his cries for mercy. He has a strength rooted in hope, a hope that salvation is coming, a hope that is found in Jesus Christ. And so Jesus calls him forward, much like he calls the disciples and asks Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus’ answer is groundbreaking. Literally verses prior, we see a similar situation being played out with James and John who ask Jesus to place them at his right and left when he is glorified. James and John get the answer wrong to Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” They present a request born out of selfishness. And Bartimaeus, the beggar with blindness gets it right. He asks to see again and Jesus grants his request.
How can we be more like Bartimaeus? We can have a strength rooted in hope to call out to God and trust that God will hear us. We can consider what it means to be wise in our requests to God; do we ask for selfish things or things that will ultimately glorify God? What do we need to ask of God so that we can “see” again?

Read More: Mark 10:32-44

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