Topical · Week 5 of 5

What Do You Want Me to Do for You?

Mark 10:46-52

Desire and faith

Main Point

Jesus asks Bartimaeus to name his deepest desire before He grants it, inviting him to claim his faith and revealing that God cares about our wholeness.

Application Ideas

Jesus asks this question knowing the answer, yet He wants Bartimaeus to name it. What do you want Jesus to do for you? Not someday in heaven, but now. Name it. Ask for it. Believe He can do it. This week, bring your deepest desire to Jesus in prayer.

Discussion Questions

Why was it important for Bartimaeus to voice his request rather than Jesus simply healing him? What does his faith demonstrate? What are you afraid to ask Jesus for, and why?

Detailed Sermon Outline

Primary Text: Mark 10:46-52

Supporting Texts: Isaiah 42:6-7; Psalm 146:7-9; Luke 4:18; John 9:1-7

Big Idea: 'What do you want me to do for you?' reveals Jesus' willingness to meet our greatest need and calls us to be specific and bold in requests.

Target Length: 35-40 minutes

Introduction

Bartimaeus is blind beggar sitting by road in Jericho. Can't work. Can't contribute. Depends on charity. Disability is entire identity and only means of support.

When Jesus passes, Bartimaeus does something scandalous: cries out, demanding attention from rabbi. Those around try to silence him. But won't be quiet. Knows this may be only chance.

The main point: Jesus wants to know what we truly need; be specific about requests and bold in faith to receive.

I. Desperate Faith: A Beggar's Cry (Mark 10:46-48)

As Jesus and disciples with large crowd were leaving Jericho, blind man Bartimaeus (Son of Timaeus) was sitting by roadside begging. Positioned on edge—begging, blind, excluded.

When heard it was Jesus of Nazareth, began to shout: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Notice the name: Son of David—messianic title. Not Rabbi or Teacher.
Many rebuked him, told him be quiet. Annoyed. Beggar yelling at rabbi? Disrespectful. Inappropriate. Stay in place.
But he shouted all more: Son of David, have mercy! Refuses to be silenced. Only hope is this one moment. Won't waste it being polite.

Desperation produces boldness. Nothing to lose, free to ask. Bartimaeus lost sight. What more could lose? Cries out without shame.

II. The Question: What Do You Want? (Mark 10:49-51)

Jesus stopped and said: Call him. They called to blind man: Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you. Threw aside cloak, jumped to feet, came to Jesus.

Jesus' response to noisy beggar isn't annoyance—affirmation. Stops. Calls him. Makes him center of attention. Suddenly blind man's outcry becomes focus of Rabbi and crowd.
What do you want me to do for you? Seems obvious. Of course blind man wants see. Why does Jesus ask? Because wants us specific about need.
Some people vague in prayer, hoping God figures it out. Jesus calls for clarity, honesty, particularity. What exactly do you need?

Bartimaeus specific: Rabbi, I want to see. Not vague. Not I want You help if You have time. Clear, direct statement. Jesus honors that specificity.

III. Faith That Receives (Mark 10:52)

Go, said Jesus, your faith has healed you. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along road. Healing instantaneous.

Jesus credits it to faith. Remarkably, Bartimaeus' faith seems improbable. Never seen Jesus heal. Never studied Scripture. No theological education. But knows Jesus can help. That's enough.
Immediately he follows Jesus. First action with restored sight not returning to old life or verifying healing. It's to follow. Eyes opened not just physically—spiritually. Recognizes Jesus worthy devotion.
Jesus says your faith has healed you, not I healed you. Not diminishing His power. Emphasizing something important: healing requires receptivity. Requires asking, believing, receiving.

Question Do you want me to do for you implies willingness. Jesus ready to act. But calls us to ask, be specific, believe.

Conclusion & Appeal

Bartimaeus teaches: Shame shouldn't silence us. Specificity matters. Faith is channel through which receive from Jesus.

What too embarrassed to ask for? What need hidden because thought too small or shameful? Jesus asks: What do you want me to do for you?

Don't be vague. Don't be timid. Don't let others silence you. Be specific. Be bold. Ask with faith Jesus cares about your need and has power to meet it. Then receive what He offers, let new sight make you His follower.