The Question

   “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10: 51)

This was the question Jesus asked the blind man Bartimaeus (see Mark 10: 46 – 52).  He asks the same question of us today.  It is the most important question we will ever be asked.  Our response needs to be carefully considered.

   Bartimaeus asked to receive sight and it was granted him.  Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Mark 10: 52)  But he did not just go his way after he gained sight.  Instead he, “immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.” (Mark 10: 52)  Rather than take Jesus’ gift of sight and living for himself he chose to follow Christ.

   Are we blind?  In many ways we are.  We are blinded by the lures of this world and the temptations of Satan.  We also need the gift of sight.  The sight that shows us the many gifts of God that we receive each day.  We need the sight that lets us see Him in everyone we meet.  We should pray for the sight to see God’s path for us; the path that leads us to our heavenly home.

   When the archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear the savior of the world she asked how that was possible.  He answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;” (Luke 1: 35).  This is what we should ask of Jesus; that the Holy Spirit come upon us and we be overshadowed by the power of God.

   A simple question with so many possible answers.  What will you ask for when Jesus asks what you want from Him?

Jesus, let the Holy Spirit fill me and make me holy.

Let the love and mercy of God envelope me.

Let me share that love and mercy with all.

Amen