“What Do You Want Me To Do?”

Hello Friends,

Welcome to a new month! Just a few weeks ago, we began a new season, and now we are beginning a new month. September has been packed up, and October has taken its place. Which means… pumpkins, leaves changing colors, apple picking, bonfires, fall festivals, cooler mornings, and Halloween! Here in Oblong, it means the Annual Fall Follies event: food trucks, tractor pulls, costume contests, scavenger hunts, live music, marching band competitions, and the longest nighttime parade in Illinois. What do you like most about October?

As you think about your answer to that question, I invite you to think about the following acronym for October. October is not just about festivals, costumes, and candy: it is actually another month that gets us closer to Jesus.

O – open your heart to God’s daily grace

C – choose peace over worry

T – trust his timing in every season

O – overcome fear with faith

B – bless others with kindness

E – embrace his Word as your anchor

R – rest in his unfailing love

Okay, enough about October! Let’s get into today’s topic which involves a question asked by Jesus to a blind beggar outside of Jericho named Bartimaeus.

Throughout his ministry here on earth—approximately 3 to 3.5 years as indicated by John’s timeline in his Gospel which explicitly mentions at least three different annual Passover feasts—Jesus asked about 307 recorded questions across the four Gospels. The Gospel of Matthew records 91 questions, Mark records 67 questions, Luke records 96 questions, and John records 50 to 53 questions.

Jesus enjoyed asking questions, but he also had a knack for not always providing an answer. It is noted that of the 183 questions asked to Jesus, he only answered three of them. Do you know which three he answered? First in Matthew 22:23-40 and Mark 12:28-31, Jesus is asked which commandment is the greatest to which he answered directly by quoting the greatest commandment to love God and neighbor. Second, when asked how to pray in Luke 11:1-4, Jesus answered directly by sharing the Lord’s Prayer. Third, when the high priest asked, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” while on trial in Mark 14:61-62, Jesus directly answered by saying, “I am.”

307 questions is a lot of questions!! And every question Jesus asked came with a purpose, which is true for the question Jesus asked Bartimaeus. He asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” This is sort of the same question that James and John ask as well. (You’ll see, soon!) For some people, this question becomes a genie in a bottom or even a wishbone.

For some people, the best thing about having chicken for dinner is the “wishbone.” After you finish eating, two people each hold one side of the wishbone, close their eyes, and make a wish. Then they pull on the wishbone until it breaks apart. The one who gets the biggest piece is supposed to have his or her wish come true.

Have you ever wished for something? On the count of three, say out loud what you wish for: 1, 2, 3…

Sometimes we make a wish without thinking about what would happen if our wish really came true.

Now have you ever planned to have a picnic and it rained? Perhaps you sat and watched the rain and grumbled to yourself, “I wish it would stop raining.” What if that wish came true and it really stopped raining FOREVER? There would be no grass, no trees, no flowers. Rivers, lakes, and streams would dry up, and all life would begin to disappear. This world would be a miserable place if it stopped raining, wouldn’t it?

James and John were two brothers who were disciples of Jesus, but before that, they were fishermen. One day, the two of them came to Jesus and said to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus replied.

“In your glorious Kingdom, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one at your right and the other at your left.” You see, they thought Jesus was going to set up an earthly kingdom, and they wanted to sit beside him on the throne. They wanted to share in his glory and greatness.

Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking.” Then He explained that whoever wants to be great must be a servant of all. He said, “For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give My life as a ransom for many.” 

I don’t think that being a servant was exactly what James and John were wishing for! As a matter of fact, they wished for something more: to be great.

Sometimes you and I may say, “I wish I could be more like Jesus.” But is that really our wish? If we really want that wish to come true, we must live as servants the way Jesus did. Only then can we be truly great and show God’s love to the world.

So, if Jesus asked you, “What can I do for you?” what would you say?

Let’s Pray: Dear God, help us to mean it when we say, “I wish I could be more like Jesus.” Please show us each day how to become a greater servant to those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Your Friend, Holy Spirit!