What do you want me to do for you?

Think about the last time you asked God for something. You probably don't have to think back too far. We are pretty good at that.

Now, think about how you asked God. Think about the words you used in making your request.

I have to admit, that when I am asking someone for something, even in my prayers at times, that I am pretty nice and polite.

Now, imagine this conversation:

You: "Jesus, I want you to do for me whatever I ask you".

OK, just to be real here for a minute, if anyone made that statement to me I am pretty sure they wouldn't be getting what they asked for. 

I mean, seriously, where is the respect? Where is their sense of gratitude? Even my children know if they are gonna ask me for something they need to butter me up a little bit first.

But now imagine this response:

Jesus: "Sure. What do you want me to do for you?"

Really?! That's Jesus' answer? How about reminding that person who they are talking to? Is that any way to speak to God?

But this is the conversation found in the gospel of Mark (Mark 10:35-45.)

James and John make a bold statement, and Jesus has a bold answer.

Before we get into what they asked of Jesus, and why, let's just think about the first two verses in terms of prayer.

Prayer is our conversation with God. It involves talking and listening, and the working of the Holy Spirit to help guide us in this divine conversation. Prayer is intimate, it is worship, it is a holy encounter with God.

So Jesus asks these two disciples, "What do you want me to do for you?"

This isn't the only time Jesus says something like this. In fact the next story that Mark's gospel recounts is Jesus healing a blind beggar in the city of Jericho. This was another bold and blazen 

human, who, in the presence of Jesus was shouting, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 

(Mark 10:47-48)

So Jesus, being Jesus, does not rebuke him for him boldness. Jesus doesn't remind him who he is talking to. Jesus doesn't tell him that He's busy. Instead Jesus asks him a question.

And the question Jesus asks him is "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51)

Two separate situations. 

Once with James and John, two of the first disciples of Jesus. 

And then with a blind beggar named Bartimaeus.

But the same question.

"What do you want me to do for you?"

And if this wasn't amazing enough, Jesus isn't asking this question because He doesn't know the answer. He is asking because He wants us to know the answer. He wants us to verbalize in prayer  what we need, or to know that we really don't have a clue what we need, but we know we need Jesus. He wants us in conversation with Him, to tell our Father what is on our mind.

I am thinking Jesus hasn't changed any. In fact I know this to be true.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) 

Imagine Jesus asking you this question right now. "What do you want me to do for you?"

He is.

At this very moment, as you turn your heart and your attention to Jesus, He is waiting for you, His beloved child.

And as your eyes meet His eyes, there is a moment of peace that is greater than anything you could ever comprehend. And as Jesus smiles at you in pure and perfect love, He asks you, 

"What do you want me to do for you?"

And now, what is your answer? Go ahead and tell Him.