What Do You Want Me to Do for You?

A contrast of desires.

This is one of those conversations where you’re talking to someone in particular, sharing something important or meaningful to you, and after finishing, they respond with something totally unrelated, as if they didn’t just hear you pour your heart out.

Do something for me, will ya?

Jesus has just shared again—but in more detail this time—regarding his impending trial, death, and resurrection. And James & John are so self-focused, they hear nothing of it. Honestly—read the passage and see the contrast between Jesus’ testimony and the disciples’ request.

Note that Jesus’ question in response to the disciples is the same exact question he asks Bartimaeus:

What do you want me to do for you?

James and John ask for glory — for power, prestige, and proximity to greatness.
Bartimaeus asks for mercy. For sight. For healing.

The first two are close to Jesus already. The last is sitting by the roadside, left out and cast aside. But only one leaves the encounter with wholeness.

And here’s the twist: Jesus doesn’t rebuke James and John for wanting something. He just tells them they don’t understand what they’re asking. The path to greatness is not through control, but through a cross, not on top of the success heap, but stooping low to serve.

The irony is loud: the blind beggar sees more clearly than the disciples. He knows what he needs. He knows who can help. And when his eyes are opened, he follows Jesus on the way — the same way Jesus just said leads to Jerusalem, to suffering, and to resurrection.

In the middle, we have the essence of it all from Jesus himself:

Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, for the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.

Mark 10:32-45

Jesus and his disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, with Jesus in the lead. The disciples were amazed while the others following behind were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he told them what was about to happen to him. “Look!” he said. “We’re going up to Jerusalem. The Human One will be handed over to the chief priests and the legal experts. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles. They will ridicule him, spit on him, torture him, and kill him. After three days, he will rise up.”

James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

They said, “Allow one of us to sit on your right and the other on your left when you enter your glory.”

Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup I drink or receive the baptism I receive?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said, “You will drink the cup I drink and receive the baptism I receive, but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.”

Now when the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with James and John. Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, for the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.”

Jesus and his followers came into Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, together with his disciples and a sizable crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son, was sitting beside the road. When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!” Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him forward.”

They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.”

Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus.

Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.”

Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way.

Psalm 131

Lord, my heart isn’t proud; my eyes aren’t conceited. I don’t get involved with things too great or wonderful for me. No. But I have calmed and quieted myself like a weaned child on its mother; I’m like the weaned child that is with me.

Israel, wait for the Lord—from now until forever from now!

Prayer

God,

Thank you for this new day. I have been loving these clear-aired, cool spring days. They are life-giving to me. Help me, as I breathe it all in, to know your Spirit and connection in creation.

Lord, give me eyes to see your loving mission. Help me to do what’s right for myself, which I am sure is way less than I often strive for. That is, give me eyes for others, justice for me and them according to your divine love.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.