So Jesus is standing before you, and he is asking a question: “What do you want me to do for you?” What do you reply?
It seems such an innocent question. But it penetrates deeply to our core. This is no ordinary offer of help. This is Jesus. And he is offering to do something for you. Anything. You just need to name it.
This was the question that a man, many years ago, was asked by Jesus. He had an immediate answer for Jesus: “I want to see” for he was blind and therefore had no money, wasn’t able to work, and had to rely on begging to just to survive. He was the poorest of the poor, in a society that had a lot of poor people. Jesus spoke some words, and the man was able to see. You can read this story in Lk 18:35-43.
Four years ago, while on holiday in France, I was meditating on this Scripture. I had a strong sense that Jesus was asking me that question: it was a serious question that he was looking for an answer for. He might even grant what I asked for! But what should I ask for? The more I thought about it, the more I realised what a penetrating question it was. And most of the answers I could think of, seemed so superficial, so shallow, so transitory. The question revealed something: the desires of my heart, and what I saw there was more carnal that I cared to admit.
So I return to my question: Jesus is standing in front of you, and asking you a question: “What do you want me to do for you?” What would you reply? What would you ask Jesus to do?
It has taken me four years to figure out an answer. But this summer, I finally settled on an answer, hoping Jesus had been patient with me, as he waited for an answer. It turns out, that I wasn’t the first to ask this of him. What did I ask him? Well for that, you will need to come to Community Church this Sunday (6th September) at 10.30am to find out…
Rupert,
Sounds intriguing. It’s a good question and one to which I’m sure our answer should probably be show me my flaws and fix me but I suspect that would be a long way from my mind. I wonder if I’d ask for something for others or something that would make my life easier and have less suffering. It’s almost like the fairytale of the genie. But as you say, it’s a question that reveals more about us than we may want to know. Would be interesting to see how the answer changes over time.
Thanks for the comment Duncan – the question has haunted me for a long, and exposed a lot in me. £1m came to mind a bit…!
Wow, one of the best Sermon “trailers” I’ve ever seen!
In other news, I love the fact that the Tags section runs together the second line to read “Bishop Boris Johnson” 
Thanks Andrew! it is a sermon trailer, but it could be so much more. It could be a question that changes our lives. It certainly has mine as I have found an answer to that question that I could pray with sincerity and integrity.
Love the way you spot quirky things such at “Bishop Boris Johnson”! If i added another tag, “burns in hell” that would be really really funny! not!
Well, that would end up after “Brian Mclaren” anyway! Need to brush up on your alphabet…
Oh yes!
You are a rascal. I will be there. We are all asking this question. Interested in the process that leads to an answer and the the actions that should result from knowing the answer. It’s great to have you back btw
thanks Brian – i hope i can deliver!
We’re a little bit further back in Luke 15 this week, lost sheep and wandering sons. I would say “Be there for me.”
I like it Neil.
I am not actually going to the prodigal son this week, but may return there…
It is another Biblical character who provided me with the answer i was looking for, and then that reminded me that our Lord had something similar to say…
I am in a cafe and i really want to fast forward 3 parties over weekend and just get to hear your sermon
ahh the power of this trailer sermon is insane i wonder what the whole sermon be like ? 
, you could be a very good director you know rupert !
Glad to have you and family back in church man !
Just out of curiosity is it going to be a series of different questions that we would be looking at ?? Just so i can come prepared on sun to start up new notes .
God Bless ya Rup !
p.s I hope you don’t mind me giving you this nick name; in Hindi “Rup” sounds a lot like “roop” which means beauty
!
Antasha – i hope the reality lived up to expectation!
Thanks for your comment.
I think what struck me most was not so much the question although you are right to say how challenging that is, but the response given. The beggar was asking for restored sight- was he blind from birth ? Cant remember if so then he was asking for something he didnt fully comprehend, but more so he was asking for the biggest thing he could ever ask. You pointed out , he didnt ask for a meal , a coin, a bed for the night. He asked for something risky and showed immense faith in who Jesus was. I asked myself what is the biggest thing I could ask for in terms of my own restoration . In having his sight restored the man was able to function fully and presumably enter society, gain work and status and become useful instead of useless .This still has me thinking.Thanks for opening this up for us.
Ruth – that is brilliant! I offered the mediation in the hope that Jesus would speak to us, without wanted to be (too) prescriptive about what he might say! So i am so glad that it has got you thinking and praying, even if it along different lines from the way the story provoked me.
I love the questions you are asking – really interesting insight into the story…
The scripture doesn’t say if he was born blind or not. It is probably Bartimaeus of Mk 10:46ff, although i used the story in Lk 18