"What Do You Want Me To Do For You?" - Jesus Matthew 20:29-34

Two Blind Men Receive Sight

29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 

Large crowds continue to follow Jesus with each step of he and his disciples on their way toward Jerusalem, which was about 10 miles from Jericho.

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!”

The accounts in Mark and Luke mention only Bartimeus, but that doesn't mean there weren't two blind men.  It could be Bartimeus was the louder or more outspoken of the two.  Though they couldn't see Jesus, they could certainly the hear the commotion about Jesus when he went by.  

They called out to Jesus saying, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us."  They not only call Jesus "Lord", but also the "Son of David", a messianic title.  Instead of just saying "heal us", they ask him to have mercy on them.  

"The blind men probably echoed the whispered murmurs of the crowd that was sweeping by, or, in any case, used (as did the woman of Canaan, Matthew 15:22) the most popular and widely diffused of the names of the Messiah. They were beggars, and they appealed to the pity of the King." (Guzik)

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!”

The crowd was seemingly embarrassed by the two men and told them to be quiet.  But this did not dissuade the men, who only cried out in a louder voice with the same words that they had said before.  

"The earnestness of these men was marvelous; they were desperate to be healed, and ignored the crowd that tried to quiet them (they cried out all the more)." (Guzik)

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

Jesus obviously heard them and stopped in his tracks.  Another version said Jesus, "Stood still". 

"Nothing could stop Him on His journey to Jerusalem; yet He stood still to answer a persistent plea for mercy." Matthew 20:32

He called the two men to himself and asked them what they wanted him to do for them.  As mentioned before, Jesus often asked people what they wanted before he healed them.  

"Jesus asked this question with full knowledge that these men were blind. He knew what they needed and what they wanted, but God still wants us to tell Him our needs as a constant expression of our trust and reliance on Him." (Guzik)

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

Again, they call him, "Lord" continuing to show their respect and trust in who Jesus said he was.  They are clear in asking him they want their sight back.  Though it would have been quite obvious this was what they needed, there is obviously something to the importance about asking God to give us specifically what we need.  

"They were humble in prayer, casting themselves upon, and referring themselves cheerfully to, the Mediator's mercy. They showed faith in prayer, by the title they gave to Christ. Surely it was by the Holy Ghost that they called Jesus, Lord. They persevered in prayer. When they were in pursuit of such mercy, it was no time for timidity or hesitation: they cried earnestly. Christ encouraged them. The wants and burdens of the body we are soon sensible of, and can readily relate. Oh that we did as feelingly complain of our spiritual maladies, especially our spiritual blindness!" (Henry)

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

Jesus felt deeply for their situation aned healed them by touching their eyes.  No sooner did he touch their did,they receive their sight.  And then immediately they followed Jesus.  They trusted in Jesus as their Lord for healing, and now they were trusting him with their whole lives by following him. 

Mark and Luke's gospels add, "Your faith has healed you!" 

When you or someone you care about has a need for healing, do you pray boldly for them?  Do you ever feel Jesus is too busy for your prayers?  Why did Jesus stop to help the blind men?  Do you have compassion on others when you see their deep needs?  If Jesus asked you, "What do you want me to do for you?" What would you say?