Mark 5:35 While he yet spoke, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Your daughter is dead… A complaint that gives a glimpse of the harassing nature of Christ's work; drawn hither and thither by human distress and want, he was ever on the march, as men discovered their need of him. I. THE APPARENT REASONABLENESS OF THE QUESTION. A complaint very rarely occasioned, still more rarely justified. On the present occasion, however, it seemed reasonable enough. For: 1. Would not further urgency be useless? "Thy daughter is dead;" and there was an end of the matter. Nothing more could be done. The sufferer had been taken out of the power of man. Surely it could not be expected that death would yield up its prey? Circumstances like this are constantly occurring in human experience. A distinction is made, often must be made, between things in which help may be looked and prayed for, and those in which it is inadmissible to pray. Are there not desperate cases of unbelief and sin for which we have given over praying? 2. There were others requiring his attention and help. It seemed wrong to monopolize Christ, especially when nothing could be done. Our grief may become a form of selfishness if it makes us inconsiderate of those who have perhaps suffered more than ourselves. If religion does anything for us, it should take us out of ourselves, and make us sympathetic with others. 3. Christ was probably weary. It had been an exciting day. The multitude thronged and pressed him. One poor sufferer had ventured to touch his garment, and at once he detected the action. Was it because he had to husband his force that he had taken such notice of it? Perhaps there were signs of weariness in his features and gait. It was thoughtfulness and respect for him that dictated the words. "The Master: there were, therefore, disciples of Jesus in the family of Jairus" (Bengel). II. THE FALLACIES IT INVOLVED. It is obvious that a great portion of the previous considerations apply only to the human state of Christ, the days of his flesh and feebleness. But there are many objections to importunate and unceasing prayer that depend for their validity upon very human and limited conceptions of God the Son. It will be evident, therefore, that if the conduct of Jairus can be defended in "troubling the Master" when he was on earth, and subject to the conditions and infirmities of our nature, much more the urgency of those who besiege the throne of grace night and day with their requests. Doubtless Christ was often troubled by suitors for his aid and sympathy; but: 1. It troubled him more when men did not care to seek him. He reproved the unbelieving Jews: "Ye will not come to me, that ye may have life" (John 5:40). Indifference is more hateful to him than the greatest importunity. It is better to have a superstitious faith than no faith at all. let us bless the weakness or the sorrow that brings us to him, making us feel our need of him. For, whether we think it or not, we cannot do without him. 2. He himself encouraged men to "trouble him. What bold promises were his! - I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst "(John 6:35); "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 40:25); "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do" (John 14:12); "All things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23); and how often as here, "Only believe"! How universal his invitations! - " If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John 7:37); "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). "Ask, and it shall be given you," etc. (Matthew 7:7). 3. There is no case too desperate to bring to Christ. No disease could baffle him whilst he was amongst men; even the grave gave up its dead at his potent word. And now "all power in heaven and earth" is his. let us "trouble him, therefore, with our sorrows and difficulties until he gives us relief. The care or desire which is not brought to him will sever us from him. We need not fear offending him; he is the Saviour, and it was that he might comfort and save men he came. Even whilst we think our ease desperate, or say within ourselves, It is no use; it is not seemly to trouble him," we grieve his Spirit and resist his grace. The sinner who has sinned above measure, and is altogether vile, may come. How is that promise fulfilled in him, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool!" (Isaiah 1:18.) - M. Parallel Verses KJV: While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? |
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