Lenten Reader | Day 31

March 24th, 2021

What Do You Want?

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

- Luke 18:35-43

Dear brothers and sisters of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we approach the season of Lent, the weeks of remembering the time leading to Easter and the ultimate gift of Jesus. Oh today’s passage points out that by faith, Jesus gave the blind beggar so much more than just his sight!

Once when I was a child, several days before Easter I got the mumps! They were huge. My mother said the largest she’d ever seen. I could hardly open my mouth to draw soup through a straw. So there would be no Easter candy or solid food for me. Shortly after Easter, my brothers and sister had eaten all their candy and treats, so they worked on getting mine. And I gave in because I couldn’t much eat them anyway. Oh but I got such a blessing when they wanted my company with faces full of joy. I started to heal, and the great taste of a little candy caused me to be so thankful for that particular Easter.

Jesus asks us as the title of this poem indicates:

What Do You Want
You’ve read the blind man now can see!
Several lepers were all made new
Captives and sinners all set free!
Christ beckons to do this just for you!
With shame you deny to know the Lord!
Then you hear the cock crow thrice,
With life and soul to be restored,
What do you want from Christ!

Oh we may get confused about giving up things to receive others like at Lent. However, maybe emptying the cup of old things or old habits for things Christ has built just for you could be the start of our own resurrection. Blessings in Christ Jesus!

-Leroy Harding