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And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?
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He wants to hear from his own lips, not only the general petition for mercy, but the distinct expression of what his desire was. Until he speaks it out, he is not healed.
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There is now still many a suppliant to whom the Lord puts the same question, and who cannot, until it has been answered, get the aid he ask. Our prayers must not be a vague appeal to His mercy, an indefinite cry for blessing, but the distinct expression of definite need.
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Such definite prayer teaches us to know our own needs better.
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It leads us to judge whether our desires are according to God’s Word, and whether we really believe that we shall receive the things we ask.
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Some cry for mercy, but take not the trouble to know what mercy must do for them.
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But the word of the Master teaches us more. He does not say, What dost thou wish? but, What does thou will?
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The sluggard wishes to be rich, but does not will it.
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And so, when Jesus says to us, ‘What wilt thou?’ He asks whether it is indeed our purpose to have what we ask at any price, however great the sacrifice.
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