What Do You Want?

Easter/ Resurrection Day Reflections

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Mark 10:51 NIV

“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.” Gilbert K. Chesterton

The blind man wanted to see. I’ve pondered Jesus’ question many times, “What do you want me to do for you?” Honestly, what do I want Jesus to do for me? Can you imagine him asking you this? I think I’d be speechless, and hopefully, humbled. Did the question I want to be forgiven come to mind? No. I hate to say it, but I sometimes treat Jesus like a genie, Santa Claus, or a magic wand.

Think of all God has given us. I have all I need and much, much more. I have a warm country home with room for my grandkids. I have love in my life. I live in a free country where I can say, move, and live as I wish. Am I wealthy? Oh! No! But the “abundant life” promised by God is mine.

I know what I want:

I want no trials, struggles, problems, or disappointments. What about forgiveness?

I want healing for others and myself. What about forgiveness?

I don’t want this person to die. What about forgiveness?

I don’t want the aches, pains, hearing loss, or vision loss of old age. What about forgiveness?

It’s all about me.

Without Jesus’ death and resurrection on the cross, I could not approach God the Father with my laundry list of complaints and gimmees. I changed my mind. I want forgiveness.

I guess that’s why we are to be thankful in all circumstances. Look at what it costs for me to come to the Throne of Grace, regardless of whether I FEEL thankful or not. It cost Jesus everything, along with abandonment, pain, blood, nakedness, and humiliation.

Musings

We are New Creations. We are made in the image of God. We are forgiven. We live forever. Thanks to God and Resurrection Day.

Prayer

Dear Father,

You nailed shame to the cross. You make us walk in “newness of life.” You tell us to “come boldly to the Throne of Grace,” for all our needs and wants. We can do this because we are forgiven because of the unfathomable work of the Cross. Thank you.

In Your Son’s name,

Amen.