What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

What do you want me to do for you?

Mark 10:35-52

Last week we celebrated Easter and what it meant. It was a celebration of what Jesus has already done for all of us and more importantly for all of mankind. We celebrated the proof and the promises and how we normally recognize Jesus traveling with us at the end of the journey.

Was that, enough? Is what Jesus died for - enough for us?

Personally, I notice in my prayer life that I call out to Jesus, asking for his attention to many situations I know about and even some that involve me. I ask for wisdom, strength, health and peace of myself and others.

And this week one question kept running though my mind. What do you want me to do for you? I felt like Jesus was addressing me like he does so many times in the Bible. It made me feel a little uncomfortable. I guess that I would have similar feeling if an important person noticed me a stopped to speak or find out who I was.

I felt a little unworthy, like I was interrupting something. In my prayers I start babbling about worldly problems and needs, High and important stuff far from me. And then the words come again, What do you want me to do for you?

I realize that he is not asking about the world or community he is asking about ME. What can he do for ME!

The fireman was sitting by the phone when it rang. He picked it up and said, “Fire department!” The woman on the other end said, “SEND A FIRE TRUCK!” and hung up.

He waited, not sure what to do, and the phone rang again. He picked it up, said “Fire department.” The woman said, “SEND A FIRE TRUCK NOW!!” Then she hung up.

He waited, and this time he was ready. The phone rang, and he picked it up and said, “Where’s the fire?” The woman said, “It’s in the kitchen!” and hung up!

In our scriptures this morning the common theme is one question from Jesus to specific people. As I spent time this week preparing for the message today I realized that each time Jesus asks a question of the people around him… He already knows the answer. He already knows how he will respond. In fact he does not seem shocked by the questions.

Let me read the first section:

Mark:10:35-37

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

The bigger picture of this is that Jesus had just explained that the Son of man will be betrayed and die and rise again in three days. They were on the way back to Jerusalem for the last time. It says that Jesus was leading them and some were afraid.

Then it seems that these two disciples, brothers, left the crowd following Jesus and came along side of him and made a request.

When my kids come to me they often ask a question or make a request like theirs, the red flags start waving. The early warning system goes off indicating that someone is trying to take advantage of my good nature. They want something and it is probably expensive in one way or another.

When Jesus responds he answers with a question. He does not just say yes or no but puts a reservation on his reply.

“What do you want me to do for you?”

They ask for the places of honor at Jesus Right and left when he comes into his glory.

When I read this my first thought is, “What bozos, they have not learned a thing about how Jesus and the kingdom work.” I think again about how little they seek to know after being in his company for three years.

In a small way, I start comparing some of my thoughts and ideas to theirs and realize that they might seem just as selfish and unspiritual. I have been walking with Jesus for some 30 years, on and off and I wonder why I don’t seem to get it or perhaps I think I have a great idea and think that God and Jesus should do it my way. I guess I am an even bigger bozo in reality.

Jesus does not seem to get angry with their request. He tells them that they don’t understand and then asked them an additional question. Can they drink from the same cup and share the same baptism?

Some people have faith in Jesus which is great except that they believe that their faith will buy them something today. There are many Christians that believe that their life will be blessed with success and money and comfort. They believe that all will go well because of their faith. They tend to believe that Jesus offers promises for this world. The promises from God and Jesus are for the next world. When we become a follower of Christ thought faith we are more likely to face problems that a perfect life because if you commit to living for Jesus Christ you are agreeing to go where he says go and do what he ask you to do.