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Scripture Reading: Mark 10:46–52 (KJV)

46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Devotional

Bartimaeus sat where the people were. He wasn’t waiting for Jesus; he was begging for coins. Yet on an ordinary day in a familiar place, Jesus passed by—and everything changed.

When Bartimaeus heard it was “Jesus of Nazareth,” he cried out for mercy. Others tried to silence him, but he cried “the more a great deal.” Then comes a stunning line: “Jesus stood still.” In a crowd, with many voices, the cry of one needy man stops the Son of God in His tracks.

Jesus asks, “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” He doesn’t assume. He invites a specific request. Bartimaeus doesn’t ask for money, clothes, or comfort. He asks for sight—and receives far more. He’s not only healed; he “followed Jesus in the way.”

The sermon you shared pressed this question on the heart: if Jesus stood before you right now and asked, “What do you want from Me?” what would you say? Many of us would think first of temporary needs—health, finances, relationships. God cares about those. But Jesus’ core purpose is deeper: to save, to cleanse, to give spiritual sight, to transform.

Before we ask Jesus to fix our circumstances, we ought to face this: have we asked Him to save our souls? And if we are saved, are we asking Him for the deeper work—clearer spiritual sight, a heart that follows Him, courage to speak for Him?

Bartimaeus shows us the right priority. He wants to see. Spiritually, that’s what every person most needs: to see Christ as Savior, to see sin for what it is, to see eternity clearly.

Reflection

  • If Jesus asked you today, “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” what is your honest first answer?
  • Is salvation or a closer walk with Him at the top of that list—or somewhere far below other requests?
  • Are you more like Bartimaeus crying out for mercy—or like the crowd, trying to quiet that cry (in yourself or others)?

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
Search my heart and show me what I truly want from You.
If I have put temporary things above eternal things, forgive me.
If I am not saved, draw me to Yourself and grant me repentance and faith.
If I am saved, open my spiritual eyes.
Help me to want what You want—to seek Your kingdom first.
Thank You that when a sinner cries for mercy, You stand still and listen.
In Your precious name I pray, Amen.

Action

Take 5–10 quiet minutes today and answer this question in writing:
“What do I most want from Jesus right now?”

List your requests honestly. Then underline anything that is eternal (salvation, holiness, boldness, spiritual growth). Ask God to reorder your desires so that what matters most to Him becomes what matters most to you.