What do you want me to do for you? Luke 18:41-42
41 What do you want Me to do for you? He said, ‘Lord let me receive my sight’. 42 And Jesus said to him. ‘Receive your sight! Your faith (the trust and the confidence that comes forth from your faith in God) has healed you.’ Luke 18: 41-42
The gospel of Luke is the most reliable source in regards to the ministry of Jesus. Luke’s account of all that happened whilst Jesus was here is backed up by eye witnesses from all walks of life and those who were with Jesus on a daily basis and saw all that He was doing.
Luke in his writings to Theophilus, gives a thorough account of everything that happened. He was a converted Gentile from Antioch in Syria, who joined Paul at Troas. He was a man of excellent literary ability, educated with a Greek background and perspective. He was considered the beloved physician of Colossians 4:14. Luke devoted His time to preaching and pastoral ministry and he studied the life of Jesus seriously investigating everything. He was a historian who was well informed. A possible date of His writings are around 60-80AD.
Luke’s account of this time at Jericho reflects on Jesus Himself, and how He was willing to help anyone who crossed His path. The people’s faith at this time had grown stronger and stronger as Jesus had spoken many times, about the Father of whom the Israelites, Gentiles and Greeks were well acquainted. Jesus Himself had made the decision to be obedient to the Fathers plan and the redemption of His people and others, and before entering Jericho He informed the twelve apostles taking them aside and saying to them ‘Listen! we are going up to Jerusalem and will be made sport and scoffed and jeered at, even insulted and spat on. Jesus told them how He would be flogged and killed and rise again. But they understood nothing as though they did not hear His words nor comprehend what He was telling them.
Prior to reaching Jerusalem they were coming close to Jericho. As He came near it occurred that a blind man was sitting on the roads edge begging, and hearing a crowd moving past him. He asked what does this mean. The people standing with him told him Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.
This man who was blind was so excited when he heard who it was, that he started to shout. In a bold voice he shouted ‘Jesus, Son of David, take pity and have mercy on me!’
Jesus hearing the man’s cry, stood still and asked for the man to be led to Him. When he came near Jesus asked Him. “What do you want me to do for you? The blind man answered saying
‘Lord, let me receive my sight’ And Jesus said to him. ‘Receive your sight!' Your faith (your trust and confidence that springs forth from your faith in God) has healed you.’
In verse 43 it goes on the say. ‘And instantly he received his sight and began to follow Jesus, recognising, praising, and honouring God: and all the people when they saw it, praised God.’
If we look at the blinds man’s request for Jesus to ‘take pity’ on him. The blind man in his suffering has obviously heard of Jesus before and is confident that in this moment, ‘so humbling to his spirit’, he cries out not only for pity but mercy as well. Not only was he confident his healing was about to happen, he new the louder he shouted the closer Jesus would come. He unashamedly shouts his request across a crowded street. Everyone in front is horrified that this should happen and reprove him, telling him to be quiet. The blind man ignores their calling and shouts even louder repeating the same words, ‘Jesus, Son of David, take pity and have mercy on me!’ It’s most likely the blind man had all about Jesus ministry and the many haealings Jesus had done. He may have been waiting a long time for an opportunity to be healed. Had he heard Jesus was heading his way. He may have been waiting out on that street for a long time and couldn’t wait to be healed or he may have just been doing his usual begging to meet his daily needs. Either way it appears Jesus was impressed by the blind man’s determination to get close enough to ask.
Throughout Jesus ministry He healed many people. The majority of whom knew He was in the area. The woman with the blood issue. The crippled person being lowered down from the roof top. The soldier who comes forward to Jesus because his daughter is dying at home. It is only when he returns home and discovers the truth that at the very moment he was with Jesus, his daughter had been healed and recovered.
The same has happened here with the blind man. He has stepped forward and yelled enough to be noticed by Jesus. Jesus in response to the request has used His compassion for the blind man to heal him immediately saying your faith has healed you.
Looking at all that has transpired over the entirety of Jesus ministry which is believed to be three years. In such a relatively short time Jesus healed so many people from diseases and mental issues. He encouraged people to live better and to do better. He changed lives dramatically and remained the same from birth as a child to grow with us and experience everything we experienced without sinning, as it was foretold by Zechariah more than five hundred years before Jesus birth here on earth. The old testament writings of Zechariah 9:9 says the following would occur.
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you; He is (uncompromisingly) just and having salvation (triumphant and victorious), patient, meek, lowly, and riding on a donkey, upon a colt, the foal of a donkey.
It appears that having faith enough to ask directly and stepping out are two things that go hand in hand in order to receive your or someone else’s healing or deliverance. Looking back to our past is not what Jesus wants us to do. Looking forward to Him and approaching boldly is what Jesus wants us to focus on. As new testament believers we do not have Jesus here in person to encourage us face to face. It is only through the written words of many about His life and ministry that we get to believe that anything from Jesus is possible if we use our faith.
Therefore what should we be trying to do on a daily basis if we believe we are ‘believers’. The first thing that comes to mind could possibly be that we need to do just that and ‘believe’. Believe as the blind man and have a strong faith (a willingness to be open to receiving) come what may. A willingness to step out and see what will happen (come what may). And a willingness to say. ‘I believe you can do this for me Jesus.’ come what may!’
Thanks for your time and a willingness to listen and obey the Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit.
Christine Stephanie Mammarella
Country Grace Australia
26/02/2025