Today’s Reading from the Gospels
Matthew 20:29–34
29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Isn’t that an unnecessary question? The answer seems obvious. The question to which I refer is the one the Lord asked two blind men on the Jericho road. He said, “What will ye that I shall do unto you?” He was walking with a large caravan and they were sitting by the road side. They kept calling loudly for him to show them mercy, recognizing him as Lord and the Son of David. The crowd got tired of their cries and asked them to cease to no avail. Their need was too great! They would not stop their crying for Jesus so Jesus stopped for them. Then Jesus asked what they wanted, but isn’t the answer self explanatory? They were blind. I am reminded of a story of a poor blind boy that was asked if he could request one thing from Jesus what would it be? He replied without hesitation, I would ask him for a seeing eye dog to lead me around and be my friend. Can you imagine asking the maker of the eye, the great physician himself, for a seeing eye dog when he could easily give you seeing eyes? The question Jesus asked was essential. We must recognize our true need and we must have faith that he can meet it. Many ask God for stuff when they really need sight. There are many who pray for the cheap temporary things of the world, never understanding that they are neglecting their never dying soul. Do we truly understand our need? Do we truly comprehend the capabilities of the one to whom we are praying? Let’s pray for a revelation of our greatest needs so that we might get him to meet them and then let’s open our mouth wide and watch him fill them. Tell him what you want specifically for a specific answer. Let it not be said of you and I, “ye have not because ye ask not.” What do you want from the Lord?
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