What Do You Want Me to Do?

JESUS WAS THE SON OF GOD and the pre-existent Christ. In submission to His Father's will, He voluntarily assumed a human body and human nature, without ceasing to be God, but setting aside His right to His power and glory. As Jesus of Nazareth, he was subject to place, time, and many other human constraints. Christ came to offer His body as a sacrifice that is completely acceptable to God. The author of Hebrews quotes Psalms 40:6-8. applying it to Christ, he claims He told His Father ‘’…Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings, you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God’’’. (Hebrews 10:5-7). Peter told the Jews who had gathered on Pentecost day regarding Jesus “This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross” (Acts 2:23).

Jesus accomplished exactly what God wanted Him to do and opened the way for mankind’s salvation. ‘What do you want me to do?’ is a question many of the Bible characters (including Jesus) raised during different occasions with varying results. We shall examine some of them from the New Testament:

 1] Mark 10:46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road.

 Jesus was on His last journey to Jerusalem. A tumultuous crowd was escorting Him out of the city. “What is the cause of the bustle”, the blind beggar Bartimaeus on the wayside wanted to know and was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.  And so, true to his trade, he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy upon me!’’. He had an amazing insight into Christ’s position and true identity. The crowd tried to suppress him and yelled at him to shut up, but the blind man was insistent.  Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.   Bartimaeus flung away his soiled coat and rushed to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” asked Jesus. “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”. And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you”. Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road (Mark 10:52). Ask and it shall be given to you!

 2] Mark 10:17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

There is no doubt about this young ruler’s sincerity. He asked what he should do now, that he might be happy forever. Many strive to know ways of earning earthly benefits. This man wanted to know what good deeds he must do down here so that he might be able to enjoy the greatest good in the other world. Christ encouraged this approach by assisting his faith, and by directing his practice. But at this point, there was a sorrowful parting of ways between Jesus and this young man. He asks Christ what he shall do more than he has done, to obtain eternal life; and Christ asks if he is willing to bear a present cross, in expectation of future crown. The young man was sorry he could not be a follower of Christ upon easier terms; that he could not lay hold on eternal life, and keep hold of his worldly possessions too. He went away grieved. Jesus was not mincing His words when He said: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money” (Matthew 6:24).

 3] Acts 2:37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

 On the day of Pentecost, Peter was addressing a gathering of Jews who had come from all over the Roman world. There were also among them, local Jews and converts to the Jewish faith. It was only seven weeks since crucifixion and Jesus Christ was hot news. Peter spoke forthrightly about the Resurrection after convincing them that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah.  “Our Saviour was alive and active and one day we will also conquer death”. He spoke powerfully quoting scriptures from Joel 2 and Psalms 16 etc. After his spirit-filled message people were deeply moved and asked him “What should we do?”. Peter replied to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself”. Those who believed were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3000 in all!

 4] Acts 9:6 Of all the people in the Bible who raised the question “What must I do?” (or who responded to  it) none can match St. Paul’s experience, for sheer drama.

 Paul, the notorious persecutor of Jesus’ followers in Judea (and who cooperated in the murderer of Stephen) was on his way to Damascus in his effort to expand his nefarious activities to neighboring nations. He was carrying the High Priest’s authorization letter to identify the believers and arrest them there. On the way, suddenly, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone on him and his co-travelers. They all fell down and Paul  heard a voice saying to him saying “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will”. “Who are you Lord?” he asked (Acts 22:10). And the Lord replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting”.  Paul’s immediate response was to ask “What should I do, Lord?” It was instant conversion. The Bible tells us that he turned out to become the most fearless spokesman for the young church and was instrumental in taking the Gospel to the Gentile world.

 5] Act 16:29-30  The jailer asked for torches and rushed inside. Trembling as he knelt in front of Paul and Silas, he took them outside and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

 At the city of Philippi Paul and Silas were captured by a hostile mob and were severely beaten up. Then they were thrown into a dungeon of a prison and their feet were secured in stocks. As they were singing and praying an earthquake erupted. The prison walls collapsed and the chains of the prisoners fell off. Assuming that the prisoners had escaped, and afraid of the consequences, the jailer drew his sword to kill himself. Paul stopped him and assured him no prisoner had escaped. Paul and Silas’ reputation was well known in Philippi. When the jailer realized his own condition and need, he risked everything to find the answer. Trembling as he knelt in front of Paul and Silas and asked them, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”. They shared the word of God with him and with all those who lived in his household.

 6] Matthew 27:22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!

 Pilot’s conscience told him Jesus was innocent and he perceived that they were simply jealous of a religious leader who was more popular among the people than they were. Roman law said an innocent man should not be put to death; his wife had sent him a message not to have anything to do that will hurt Jesus. He had several opportunities to make the right decision. But when the Jews threatened to report Pilate to Caesar, he became afraid. For a leader who was supposed to administer justice, he proved to be more concerned about political expediency than about what was right. In making no decision, Pilate made the decision to let the crowd crucify Jesus. Although he washed his hands, the guilt remained. Washing your hands of a tough situation doesn’t cancel your guilt. Don’t make excuses—take responsibility for the decisions you make.

 Hebrews 5:9, 10 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.  And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

We become aware of God's commands (what we should do in a given situation) in a number of ways. We become aware of them through our consciences (Romans 2:15), or through the commands contained in the scriptures or through the more personal commands, God gives us through the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit.

God lamented in Deuteronomy 5:29 "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them’’. If we obey His commands, things will go well for us. That this should be the case is something less than surprising for the person who believes in God. After all, God is the designer and creator of heaven and earth. He knows how things should go because He determines how they should go. He knows that if we obey Him things will go well for us.

 The Christian life involves hard work and implicit obedience. Run with endurance, struggling against sin, with the power of the Holy Spirit. To be victorious we must keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, not turning them away from him, not looking at ourselves or the circumstances surrounding us. We should be running for Christ, not ourselves, keeping Him in sight always. 

 

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