One day Jesus was leaving the city of Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd. Sitting beside the road was a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he began to shout:
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
The crowd tried to silence him, but Bartimaeus only shouted louder. Finally, Jesus stopped and said something remarkable:
“Call him.”
They brought the blind man to Jesus, and then Jesus asked him a question that might seem surprising:
“What do you want Me to do for you?”
(See Mark 10:51)
At first glance, the answer seems obvious. Bartimaeus was blind. Of course he wanted to see! Yet Jesus still asked the question.
Why?
Because Jesus often invites us to express our faith clearly and personally.
Jesus Still Asks This Question
In a sense, Jesus asks every one of us the same question today:
“What do you want Me to do for you?”
It’s a simple question, but it forces us to think deeply. Many people live with vague hopes and unfocused prayers. But Jesus invites us to bring specific requests before Him.
Throughout the Bible we see this pattern:
- Hannah prayed specifically for a child.
- Solomon asked God for wisdom.
- The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray.
- Bartimaeus asked for his sight.
God welcomes clear and honest requests.
What Do You Really Want?
If Jesus stood in front of you today and asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?”, how would you answer?
Would you ask for:
- Wisdom for an important decision?
- Healing in your body?
- Freedom from a persistent sin?
- A deeper relationship with God?
- Salvation for someone you love?
- Courage to follow God fully?
Sometimes we hesitate to ask because we feel unworthy. But notice something about Bartimaeus: he had nothing to offer except faith and desperation. That was enough.
Bartimaeus Asked Boldly
Bartimaeus cried out loudly despite the crowd trying to stop him. He refused to be quiet because he knew this might be his moment.
When Jesus called him, the Bible says he threw aside his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
His request was simple and direct:
“My Rabbi, I want to see.”
And Jesus answered immediately:
“Go, for your faith has healed you.”
Instantly, Bartimaeus received his sight.
Jesus Welcomes Honest Prayer
Sometimes we make prayer complicated, but at its heart prayer is simply coming to Jesus with our needs and our faith.
Jesus is not bothered by our requests. In fact, He often initiates the conversation by asking what we need.
He wants us to speak honestly.
The Greatest Request
Of course, the most important request anyone can make is this:
“Jesus, forgive my sins and lead my life.”
When a person sincerely asks for mercy and salvation, Jesus never turns them away.
The blind man asked for physical sight and received it. But when we come to Christ, He gives us something even greater:
spiritual sight and eternal life.
A Question Worth Answering
So today, take a moment and consider the question Jesus asked Bartimaeus:
“What do you want Me to do for you?”
Bring your request to Him with humility and faith.
Cry out like Bartimaeus if you must.
Jesus still stops for people who call on Him.
And often, the moment we honestly ask is the moment everything begins to change.
