40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.
Interestingly, Jesus ordered His followers to bring, carry, or lead the blind beggar in our verse for today to Him. The order still stands for His modern day followers. Believer, are we involved in leading the spiritually blind and seeking to Jesus for healing? This is His desire for us. The Great Commission was not just given to Billy Graham! Perhaps it would do us well to revisit it:
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)
I love what Matthew Henry says about this subject:
“Christ has more tenderness and compassion for distressed supplicants than any of His followers have. Those who had checked him must now lend him their hands to lead him to Christ.”
Christ’s question to our beggar is reminiscent of King Xerxes’s to Queen Esther as she bravely and fearfully approached the king with her request:
2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you." Esth 5:2-3 (NIV)
If an earthly king would be so generous as to offer up half of his kingdom to his queen, how much more so will our precious Jesus be graciously willing to come to our aid?
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32 (NIV)
“‘Dost thou want nothing, O poor soul? Hast thou nothing to ask? Oh yes! You say, a great deal. Well then, draw near to thy gracious King and Bridegroom without fear. Lo! He holds out His golden scepter to thee, saying, ‘Only ask: not the half, but the whole of My kingdom shall be granted; nay, I will give myself unto thee!’ O dear soul, pray, and tell Him everything that is wanting, be it ever so great or ever so small. His loving-kindness will hear even the least petition; nay, He will seem to be ignorant of what thou dost not tell Him. But whatever is poured out before Him is actually addressed and lodged in its proper place, and does not lie upon thy heart any longer, but upon His heart, which cannot rest till you are relieved. And if you have experienced His help aforetime in great or small things, you may depend on His readiness to help you out of troubles hereafter; only be earnest in prayer for His help. We often imagine we were willing and drawing near to Him, but He was unwilling, and refused our request; but it is not so: He rather draws us, and desires our relief more than we do; for it is He that works even this willing mind.” K.H. Von Bogatzky
6 Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. 8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalms 28:6-8 (NIV)
“Yes, He does ‘exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think;’ granting not only according to the notion of our narrow hearts, but according to the riches of His glory, as becomes His majesty. Christ delights in great petitions; for He is a great Lord, and is ‘rich unto all that call upon Him.’” K.H. Von Bogatzky
God is with us. God is for us. God is faithful. Praise Him!