Over my lifetime, I have asked a lot of things of our Lord. All kinds and categories of blessings have made my list of petitions before the throne. I have also gotten in the habit over the years of asking the Lord each day if there is anything special I can do for Him. I have discovered that many times after doing that, He often reciprocates by asking what He might do for me. Don’t think that to be strange; it is actually quite common in the Scriptures.
Let’s suppose that Jesus asked you that question today. How would you respond? What would you like Jesus to do for you today? What do you want from Him? It is interesting that most of us have never really given this a lot of thought. I am sure we could quickly develop a list, but chances are it would be a hastily contrived list, and we might even omit what we really need most. Why? Because although we may have a prayer list, we never assess what might be the most critical need that we have. If you had one wish today, a wish that didn’t interfere with someone’s free will or disrupt God’s master plan, what would it be?
We often rejoice in the abundant life we have in Christ. In Romans 8:37, we read, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
We are often reminded of our countless blessings, which often come without even asking for them. We may feel that asking for more is wrong, and sometimes, it may be.
James 4:3: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
However, it certainly couldn’t be wrong if Jesus is the One doing the asking.
On one occasion, Jesus was heading to Jerusalem, where He would be crucified. As they depart Jericho, they pass by a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus. When Bartimaeus hears that Jesus is nearby, he cries out to Him: “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” (Mark 10:47). Those nearby tell him to be quiet, but he keeps calling out to the Master. Upon hearing the cries of the blind man, Jesus stops and calls Bartimaeus to come to Him. When He gets to Jesus, the Lord asks him: “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” Mark 10:51.
That question, that simple question, from our Almighty God, never fails to astound me. God asked a mere man, “Is there anything I can help you with today?” Do you know what is even more amazing? Jesus sometimes asks me the same question, and if you are listening for His voice, I’ll bet He has asked you also. How would you answer? “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” Interestingly, Bartimaeus knew precisely what He wanted from Jesus and said, “Lord, that I might receive my sight.” And immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus.
Of course, we know that Jesus could not have been ignorant about what the blind man wanted. As a matter of fact, it is unlikely that anyone in the crowd doubted what Bartimaeus wanted. If you had interviewed 50 people and asked, “What do you think Bartimaeus wants?” They would have all thought you were nuts for asking. Yet, Jesus asks, “What can I do for you today?”
If you look at the entire story, this was the second time on this journey that Jesus asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” If you look at Mark 10:35-38, you will find He asked the same thing, this time to James and John. Their answer reveals that they were just as blind as Bartimaeus, just in a different way.
In like fashion, the Almighty Creator has the concern and takes the time to call upon me; amid all my sins and failures, He asks me if He can be my Servant. What amazing love; to be loved by love Himself. So, as we enter the throne room of grace, listen, and you may very well hear Him ask, “What do you want me to do for you?” Then, be very clear about what you want and speak it to Him by faith. And next, just watch what He alone can do!
Let’s look at another occasion where this question would be asked.
John 1:35-38 “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?”
They didn’t answer His question, did they? Jesus asked them, “What seek ye?” Their answer? “Where do you live?” Jesus replied, “Come and see.”
Jesus loves His children so much that I believe He will often ask you, “What can I do for you today.” I think He asks it over and over again. Why would He do that? I can’t give you a definitive answer, but part of it is that Jesus wants us to dream and expect great things in our lives. Our Lord is a God of hope (Romans 15:13), so He wants His children to live a life of expectancy.
I sense this most clearly when we are engaged in a major project. When we were rebuilding the academy after the flood, I sensed my Lord almost daily asking, “So, what can I help you with today?” He called me out and made me take responsibility and ownership of my dreams. It was when I burned with passion to accomplish something for God that He most often offered His help. It would be far easier not to dream. It would be safer to lower your expectations. Yet, when Jesus calls us out on a limb, and we are too scared to move, He looks deep into our souls and asks, “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Regardless of your greatest need—whether spiritual, physical, emotional, or financial—God has the power to deal with it and wants to help you take control of it. What is your greatest need right now? What might Jesus do for you?
God is concerned for you. Another time I hear this question from my Lord is after I have prayed hard for others. I go down my list of people, and I ask God to bless them according to their own unique needs. As I pour out my heart for others, it is then He softly asks, “But what can I do for you?”
As God’s child, don’t ever allow the devil to convince you that God is distant, far off, and uninterested in your needs. I assure you, He will always be there for you, whether you sense it or not. As you closely follow Jesus, as you face your biggest problems, as you intercede for those in need, listen, listen closely, and you may very well hear the voice of Jesus softly saying, “Yes, but what can I do for you?”
Dr. Worthington has been in the ministry nearly fifty years and serves as President of Pathway Ministries and Christian Bible College.