Reflections From Sunday Evening

In Mark 10 Jesus asks three people the question: "What do you want me to do for you?" In the first case he is responding to James and John who come to him with a request. When the question was posed they replied that they wanted to each have a seat at Jesus right and left in the kingdom. Jesus' response: "You don't know what you are asking." The other occasion that comes later in the chapter is directed toward a blind man. When the question was posed the blind man replied "Rabbi, I want to see!" Then Jesus said, "Go. Your faith has healed you." The man was immediately healed. We could debate the merit of each request. We could analyze the request for power and how it was denied. But we could also talk about a request for personal help (healing) and how it was granted. Is the difference the matter of faith? Is the difference the object of the request? What do we not know about the stories? A bigger question might be what would we ask were Jesus to say to us; "What do you want me to do for you?" We might ask for some big spiritual thing like a spiritual "Great Awakening" that would change the face of the nation. Maybe we have a family request that God touch someone's heart. Would you be tempted to ask to win the lottery? Would there be a financial request? Is there a sin that seems to continually get the better of you that you would ask to be overcome? Would there be a justice issue that you would love to see resolved? I suppose this list could go on and on. Maybe the thing to do is have a conversation with Jesus and invite him to search your heart and change your heart. I have this feeling that when our heart is right and our desire is to honor God Jesus would love to look at you and ask, "What do you want me to do for you?" It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve