Recently I noticed that there are two recorded times when
Jesus asked someone “What do you want Me to do for you?” Both occur in Mark 10
(as well as the parallel passage in Matthew 20). In the first instance, James
and John (and their mother according to Matthew) asked to be honored in Jesus’s
kingdom. In the second, blind Bartimaeus (and another blind man per Matthew)
asked to recover his sight. Two entirely different motives were revealed—pride
and the desire for glory vs. humility and a request for mercy. The request made
by the “Sons of Thunder” made the other disciples indignant and resulted in
Jesus preaching a mini-sermon on servanthood. But the request from Bartimaeus
led to a commendation of his faith and the immediate granting of his appeal.
In He Is Not Ashamed,
Erik Raymond writes:
“Bartimaeus couldn’t do anything for Jesus. He came as a needy man, and Jesus was ready to give. Jesus also didn’t insult him or belittle his condition. Unlike the crowd who looked down on him, Jesus built him up by honoring him. Far from being ashamed of him, Jesus publicly welcomed and dignified the man… He had no interest in personal exaltation; he just wanted mercy”
Jesus responded similarly to the Canaanite woman whose
daughter was demon-oppressed in Matthew 15. She asked for mercy and was
commended for her faith and her daughter was healed. Those who desire mercy
will find it in Jesus.
However, we often come to God with mixed motives. What we
desire may be a good thing: healing from illness, restoration of relationships,
etc. But our wishes may become idols that attempt to push God off His throne. As
is mentioned in this recent episode of the Hope and Help Podcast, can we honestly say, “I want to glorify
God more than I want ______”? There are many things in life I would change if I
had the power, and I wonder what God is doing in and through them. Yet I have
to trust that His way is not only best, but also results in His ultimate glory.
My wishes may bring me comfort or momentary happiness, but they may also rob
God of the glory that is due to Him. (This is one reason the prosperity gospel
is so twisted and unbiblical.)
We have a high priest who experienced weakness and has
sympathy for the weak (Heb. 4:15). We have the Holy Spirit to help us in our
weakness (Rom. 8:26). Our God will not let us be tempted beyond our ability,
but provides a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). He gives us sufficient grace (2
Cor. 12:9). But we have to admit our weakness and rely on Him so that He is the
One who is glorified and not us. His glory may be revealed through healing, or
it may come through trusting Him to carry us when we know we can’t make it on
our own.
God invites us to come to Him and to ask what we want, but
with the understanding that what He gives us is the mercy we need, not
necessarily the “fix” that we desire. Our faith has opportunity to grow when we
have to trust that God’s “No” is for our ultimate good.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of
grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.
4:16).
© 2024 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
