What Do You Wish?

Reading Scripture: Matthew 20:20-23 

Verse to Memorize: Mark 11:24 Reference: James 1:6-8 

Goal: To help believers receive whatever they ask by asking God Almighty in faith. God Almighty desires to fulfill His children’s hearts’ desires and share His true love with them. He asks them what they wish and delights in granting their requests. His children have nothing to fear, even in hardship, because they can receive answers from God, who desires to give them the best things. But what should we do to receive whatever we ask for?

• 1. We Can Receive Answers Only When We Act in the Will of God

Matthew 20:20-21 describes a scene where the mother of John and James approached Jesus with her two sons. Jesus asked them, "What do you wish?" She responded, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left." She believed in His great authority and, therefore, asked for high positions for her sons. What led them to make such a request? They had heard Jesus’ amazing teachings and witnessed the truthfulness of His deeds. 

They believed that the signs and wonders He performed could not be accomplished by human power, which is why they trusted Him. The Bible records numerous miracles performed by Jesus. He turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana (John 2), opened the eyes of a man born blind (John 9), healed a demon-possessed boy who was deaf and mute (Mark 9), and raised Lazarus from the dead after four days (John 11). He also fed thousands with five loaves and two fish and walked on water (Matthew 14). What was the ultimate purpose of these signs and wonders? It was to grant eternal life to those who believe in Him and to guide them to the kingdom of heaven. 

The disciples frequently learned about heaven while following Jesus. They understood His great authority as the Son of God and believed that they would receive whatever they asked of Him. This is why the mother of John and James approached Jesus with her request. She sought His guarantee that her sons would be exalted in heaven. However, Jesus replied, "To sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." This means that such positions are not granted at Jesus’ discretion but are reserved for those who meet the qualifications by acting according to God’s will.

• 2. We Can Receive Answers Only When We Ask in Faith

Many people seek God for different reasons. Some turn to Him in desperation when faced with insurmountable problems. Others feel a spiritual thirst and seek proof of His deity. Some come to Him for healing, while others are drawn by curiosity or the encouragement of others. If the Lord were to ask them, "What do you wish?" each person would have a different request. Some may seek evidence that He is the one true God, while others may ask for healing, saying, "Please heal me." In the Bible, there were people who sought proof of God's power.

 In Judges 6, the Israelites were suffering under Midianite oppression, and God called Gideon to deliver them. However, Gideon doubted his ability and asked God for two signs. He said, "I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and the ground is dry, then I will know that You will deliver Israel through me, as You have spoken." God granted his request. To confirm, Gideon asked again, "Let it now be dry only on the fleece, and let there be dew on all the ground." Once again, God answered him. This shows that God reveals Himself to those who seek Him in faith. God also answers those who trust Him to solve problems beyond their control. When Moses and the Israelites reached the Red Sea after fleeing Egypt, Pharaoh’s army pursued them. 

Moses cried out to God, and God responded. As instructed, Moses lifted his staff and stretched out his hand over the sea, and the waters parted, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry land. This demonstrates that God, in His almighty power, answers the prayers of His children when they pray in faith. In Jesus’ time, many sought Him for healing. A centurion asked for his servant’s healing (Matthew 8), a woman sought deliverance from a 12-year hemorrhage (Mark 9), and a Syrophoenician woman begged Jesus to cast out a demon from her daughter (Mark 7). They demonstrated their faith through action and received answers immediately.

 However, the centurion received his answer purely through his profession of faith. When Jesus said, "I will come and heal him," the centurion humbly responded, "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed." Jesus, recognizing his remarkable faith, declared, "Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that moment. This shows that when we come to God in unwavering faith, we can receive whatever we ask for.

• 3. Why Some Do Not Receive Answers, Even When They Ask

Why do some people fail to receive answers, even when they come to Almighty God? The biggest reason is doubt. A double-minded person, who lacks unwavering faith, cannot expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 1:6-8 says, "But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." 

To receive God's answers, we must ask with faith, without doubt, and in accordance with His will. We should always rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances. When hardships arise, those who lack faith may blame God, grumble, or even deny Him. Some say, "I prayed and fasted, but God didn’t answer me. If He had answered, I wouldn’t have complained." The Israelites who left Egypt were an example of this. The first generation of the Exodus grumbled against God and, as a result, could not enter the Promised Land. They died in the wilderness because of their unbelief. There are instances where people receive answers even though their faith seems small. 

This happens because God, in His foreknowledge, sees the sincerity of their hearts. However, sometimes God grants answers even to those He knows will later turn away from Him. He does this so that they will have no excuse when facing judgment. God may also delay answers based on a person’s spiritual growth. Some might falter if they receive immediate answers, so God gives them what they need in stages, helping them build a strong foundation of faith. Conclusion God is omnipotent and omniscient—He can do anything. Whether or not we receive answers depends on the condition of our hearts. To receive from God, we must believe in Him completely and demonstrate our faith through action. Let us trust in God, remain steadfast, and ask in faith, knowing that He desires to bless us and fulfill His promises.