²⁹ As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. ³⁰ Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³¹ The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³² Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³³ “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

³⁴ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

Nancy and Ray Kane led a small group workshop with us about a year ago.  Nancy read the story of the man sitting next to the road three times and we reflected upon it.  Then she asked us, “What would you ask Jesus for?”  The variety of requests from the group was astounding, but in effect all of the group was asking for healing.  All of the group was asking for mercy.

If life runs its course all of us suffer and die as sin decays our bodies and our lives waste away.  Some have the effects of sin more apparent in their lives.  It need not be the effects of their own transgressions, it can just be the corruption which spreads throughout Creation from Adam.  How are you suffering from the consequences of sin?  How have poor choices that you have made had effects on your family, career, or your body?  How has the corruption of sin from Adam affected your genetic stock, your ability to do what you would like, or your ability to understand life?  In which area would you most like Jesus to show mercy?

Questions

1. For what do the blind ask?
2. What does the crowd say?
3. What do they receive?
4. For what would you ask?
5. What do you believe Jesus’ response would be?