Page 45 - Living Light 89

Friday July 18 - What do you want?
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. Mark 10:51
In the gospels, we see that Jesus often asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” No doubt he was interested in the person’s heart attitude behind their response. Tomorrow, we’ll spend time looking at Jesus’ question to Bartimaeus and his response to Bartimaeus’ reply. Today, let’s consider the contrast between those who were longing for Jesus to heal them, compared with the attitude of the disciples, James and John, who requested a favour (10:35-45).
Mark indicates that on three occasions Jesus healed many people at the same time (Mark 1:32-34, 3:10-11, 6:56), as well as healing individuals. Two blind men received sight (Matthew 9:27-31); a leper was made clean (Luke 5:12-13); a centurion’s servant, paralysed and close to death, healed (Luke 7:1-10); Jairus’ 12-year-old daughter, who appeared dead or close to death, restored (Mark 5:22-42); a disabled man lying by the pool at Bethesda, alone and helpless, able to walk again (John 5:1-9); Lazarus, dead and in the tomb for four days, raised to life (John 11:1-44)!
The above examples were all healing of essential health needs, and hence were not selfish. In contrast, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, asked to sit either side of Jesus in heaven. Jesus told them that this honour wasn’t for him to grant; only God could do that. Although it was something that any one of us might want, it was a self- focused request, placing their own importance above others’.
Lord, I thank you that you are a God of healing. I worship and praise you for your many miracles. Amen.
Saturday July 19 - I want to see!
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has
healed you.” Immediately he received his sight & followed Jesus... Mk 10:51-52
Yesterday, we said we would look at how Bartimaeus responded to Jesus’ question: “What do you want me to do for you?” It’s a very open-ended question which could easily result in numerous requests. I’m still recovering from a life-threatening accident, and in the same situation as Bartimaeus I could easily have said: “...healing from a traumatic brain injury, visual impairment, severe neuropathic pain and numbness...” etc. Bartimaeus brings only his greatest need before Jesus: “Rabbi, I want to see!”
What speaks to me about Bartimaeus’ answer is that, before he even tells Jesus what he wants, he acknowledges him as “Rabbi”. In Hebrew, ‘Rav’ means ‘Master’ and adding the suffix ‘i’ at the end of a word makes it possessive; so ‘Rabbi’ becomes ‘my Master’. Besides honouring Jesus in this way, we observe that though Bartimaeus was blind he had ‘eyes’ to see spiritual realities.
Let’s learn from Bartimaeus about the importance of spending time acknowledging Jesus for who he is and worshipping him prior to asking for our own needs. First thing in the morning I often access YouTube and listen to a psalm being read, followed by prayers which tie in with the content of the psalm. I also listen to worship songs in both English and Hebrew. Let’s spend time praising God and focusing on walking by faith, not only by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Father, thank you for all you have taught me through the heart attitude of a blind beggar. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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