Eternal Perspective

I Want To See!

And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight” (Mark 10:51 (NIV) .

The most important thing that someone should desire in this world is sight and God. To see is everything, but to be blind is darkness. Keep in mind it is the light of Christ in which any man truly sees. “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light” (Psalm 36:9) . Whether a person is physically blind or not, it is the light and sight of Christ that enables men to see truth and reality as God sees. It is the light of Christ that enables men to know God in an intimate and saving way.

Earlier in Mark 10 there are two other questions asked of Jesus.

First, a rich man approaches Jesus and asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life” (Mark 10:17) ? Jesus concludes his lesson to the rich man in saying, basically, give up your possessions in the world to the poor and come follow me (Mark 10:21) . The rich man wanted to live forever but not at the expense of giving everything he had to the poor. He went away sad.

The second request is found in Mark 10:35, when James and John approach Jesus and ask Jesus to do for them whatever they want. These men come to Jesus as if Jesus is a cosmic vending machine. At this moment their desire is self interest and not so much God interest or kingdom interest. Jesus asks them the same question he asks the blind man in Mark 10:51, “What do you want me to do for you?”
James and John wanted prominence in the kingdom. They wanted to sit on the right and left of Jesus above everyone else. Granted, it is good to want to know Jesus and be close to Jesus in relationship. But there is a problem with wanting to be close to Jesus so that everyone else who is not as close to Jesus can see that you are the closest one to Jesus. James and John wanted to be greater than everyone else. Jesus explained to them that “you do not know what you are asking.” He then illustrates that the greatest in the kingdom is the servant. The more you serve, the greater you will become. Here is a question we can ask ourselves: can I out-serve God? Then try it! Become a servant who serves. Be like Jesus. “Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:44) .
Finally, we come back to the blind man. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks him. The blind man only has one all important desire in his heart and life: it is to see. He could have asked for life and possessions like the rich man. He could have asked for fame and prominence like James and John. But Bartimaeus, the blind man, asks for the most basic need: “I want to see”.
Jesus grants him his desire.
I believe there is more than just a desire to see with his physical eyes. I believe the man wanted to see God and to know God, but he could not because of unbelief. In the same way his physical blindness hindered his physical sight, so his spiritual blindness due to sin hindered his spiritual sight of God and of His glories. His spiritual eyes were blinded just like the father who cried out, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 9:24) .
When Jesus opens his eyes? Wow! Can you imagine going from blind to full sight?

What about you? Do you see Jesus in all His truth, love, and glory?

If Jesus asked you today, “What do you want me to do for you?” what would be your response?