I was ready to sit down and contemplate more of Jesus’s promises in Matthew today. But most of the way through these I found the question, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Prayer Requests

Jesus asks two men this question. And it strikes me today as the question that he is always willing to ask. Yet, I am pretty sure that I spend little time actually pouring out the real issues that I want his help with. I ask for his help when I am frustrated and ready to scream at the dishes, the broken washing machine, the third store that still doesn’t have what I need, the parking space that isn’t apparent. I ask for guidance with this blog, the topics, each article, each Bible Study and devotion. I lift up the requests of my small group and my friends and family.

Personal Question

I am struck by this question because it is personal, as our relationship with him is personal. I know Jesus and choose Jesus. In all of his infinite power, he chooses the individual. He wants us. He wants me. He wants you. God came to the garden every evening to talk to Adam and Eve. He came to them. He wanted to hear from them what was going on and what they had done, what they needed or thought. He still does. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asks.

This question comes from Matthew 20:32, in the account of the healing of two blind men. We may see a blind person or a deaf person and think that we know what they need from God. How often we label people, ‘the guy with a limp’ or ‘the lady whose husband has Alzheimer’ or the boy with Down’s syndrome,’ with their visible difficulties. But Jesus was concerned with our inner disposition, our life of sin and salvation. Jesus does not presume to know what these men want or need. He asks the men what they want.

He already knows

I am beginning to consider that I must empty myself of the things ‘he already knows’ and the things that I ‘already asked for’. Just as Jesus repeats things that are important, so too we need to repeat things that are important. But I also ask myself if I have been vulnerable with him. When was the last time that I asked him for something personal? Have I taken for grated that ‘if it is his will’ then he will do it? Have I neglected the asking, seeking, and knocking? Have I found, has the door opened as is promised?

What do I want from Jesus? What can he do for me? Part of me says ‘You have given me eternal life, peace, joy, hope. What more could I ask for!?’ But that is not what a relationship is. That is not getting personal. What do I want? What do I want deep down? I know that is what God has placed in my heart to desire: that is doing his will and doing what I desire as well. That is being his partner as he longs for and as I do. That is his being my Lord and me naming him so. There is great power in the question, all if his power is represented there, all of his goodness and compassion, all of his character is in this question. He came for us, personal, individual.

No ordinary man

In Matthew 20:33, the men reply, ‘Lord, we want our sight.’ They knew this was no ordinary man who was passing by. The two men cried out to ‘Lord. Son of David’ (verses 30-31). They understood who Jesus was (and is). He invites them to ask for anything, be it loose change or bread or a roof over their heads. They were by the roadside, likely begging for a living, money was their likely objective when they went to the roadside that morning. But now, with the Messiah in front of them, they ask for that which no other can provide. No shyness, no sense of being unworthy to even ask, no listening to others who rebuked them. They boldly ask what they long for. Their deepest desire is to see. Then they follow him.

They knew him, they got personal with him. They followed him.

Get personal with him

I think I need to get more personal with Christ. Oh, as I said above, I ask for all kinds of things. But is that all? What would sit down with my friend over coffee and describe as what I long for? That is what I need to bring to him. Today.

So, I’ve put together 12 verses of encouragement that go along with our study of Matthew, from chapter 11-22. Some are promises and others are his powerful words to find strength and comfort in. They are in color and are 8x10 inches, which is (or at least used to be) a standard printing size (It is also a good size for both US and EU paper sizes to print at 100%). Feel free to print and post at will or save the file to pull out and scroll through when you need a pick-me-up.

Matthew 11-22 Printable Verses

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