“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Mark 10:51
As I read through this text, I was again confronted by the words I am always confronted with when I read this text. Jesus asking blind Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?” I am caught up by the fact Jesus is asking not just Bartimaeus but me, what do you want me to do for you? I think about being in the shoes of Bartimaeus. What would I ask for? What is it that needs healing in my life? What would I choose? Would it be to remove the tendency I have toward anxiety? Or since I wear glasses and my vision is less than perfect, would I, like Bartimaeus, ask for my sight?
I also marvel that Jesus didn’t just assume what Bartimaeus needed but asked what he could do for him. He let Bartimaeus inform what Jesus would do. I wonder, does God want me to go to God and tell God what I want…what I need from God? Can I really be in the driver’s seat for my own healing? And then, what does my healing look like? Is it freedom from the thorn I carry or is it peace to accept what my life is and how the events of my life shaped me…for better or for worse.
I also can’t help but wonder, how did Bartimaeus know Jesus was walking by. He was blind. He couldn’t see him. How did he know Jesus was there? The crowds rebuke him wanting him to be silenced. They are embarrassed or at least seem that way as he calls out for Jesus to have mercy on him. Jesus is the one who drives the events as he stops and calls him to come forward. It is here we see the crowd change to cheer him on. Before they were chastising him and now, they encourage him to go…go to Jesus. I wonder if we were to speak up on behalf of others who are being silenced if our voices would encourage them to go in order to get their needs met. I wonder if we would just support one another, encourage each other, if we wouldn’t have a kinder nation of people who recognize the need to be part of a community that supports, loves, and nurtures all people. A community that does not discriminate based on anything but just wants what is best for the other.
I love that while Jesus calls Bartimaeus to him, Jesus doesn’t tell him what he is willing to do for him. Instead, Jesus asks Bartimaeus, what can I do for you? What a gentle way to be present to someone. Questions seem to get to the heart of the matter far more quickly than demands or telling people: “This is what I am willing to do.” Jesus seems to be willing to do whatever it is that Bartimaeus will ask of him. Which is pretty awesome when you think about it.
Here is what I see: I see Jesus bringing Bartimaeus into the conversation. I see Jesus giving Bartimaeus the opportunity to name what it is he believes he needs. In taking the time to stop and ask the question: What can I do for you? Jesus gave Bartimaeus a voice to speak his needs. Bartimaeus is a partner in his healing. He gets to choose what gets healed. Jesus gives us a great example on what it looks like to lovingly help another person. Ask them, what do you need?
Peace,
Beth
BTW…Next week in Thanksgiving week. I will be spending that time with my family so I will not be posting. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. May you all be blessed beyond measure. See you in December!
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