WHY TROUBLE THE MASTER?
From Mark 5:35-36 we read these words, “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? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.”
WHY TROUBLE THE MASTER? One of the most touching stories of faith in the Gospels is the account of Jairus and his daughter. This a man named Jairus had come to Jesus with a desperate request. His 12 year old daughter was dying, but he believed that if Jesus would only come to his house, she could be healed. You can almost feel the urgency and passion in his heart as he pleaded for help. Jesus agreed to go with him. But as he hurriedly led Jesus to his home, they were interrupted when Jesus stopped to help a woman who had suffered with an issue of blood for twelve years. While Jesus paused to speak with her, time passed. For Jairus, those few minutes had to have seemed like hours. After all, his daughter was in dire need. After Jesus healed the woman of her disease, they headed out again. Then, in our verse for today, the message arrived that any parent would fear. “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further?” In other words: It’s too late now!
A QUESTION WE STILL HEAR. That question is still asked in different ways today. When the diagnosis gets worse…When the prayer hasn’t been answered…When circumstances seem beyond help…When things seem to be getting worse rather than getting better. That’s when the quiet voice of our enemy whispers doubt to our hearts, “Why keep praying? Why keep troubling the Master?” But the truth is, Jesus has never been troubled by the cries of those who come to Him in faith. In fact, the only time heaven was ever troubled was when God the Father looked down and saw His Son suffering in agony, bleeding on the cross for our sins. Compared to those six hours on the cross when Jesus carried our sins, the burdens we bring to the Lord today are never too much for Him to bear. Amen?!
JESUS IS IN CONTROL! Before Jairus could even respond to the discouraging news, Jesus spoke directly to him, “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36). Those words were very timely. Remember the Lord’s Word is our greatest comfort in trying times! When they finally arrived at the house, everyone there was filled with sorrow. Mourners were already weeping. To them it was over. But Jesus walked into that hopeless room, took that 12 year old girl by the hand, and said, “Little girl, arise.” And she did! What everyone else thought was the end became a moment where the power of Jesus was clearly seen. So why should we keep “troubling the Master” when it seems there’s no hope? First, BECAUSE JESUS INVITES US TO COME. He never turns away a sincere cry for help. Second, BECAUSE OUR PRAYERS SHOW OUR FAITH. When we keep praying, we are saying, “Lord, I still believe You are able!” And third, BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE MIRACLE IS DEPENDENT UPON OUR PERSISTENCE. Think of it this way…Jairus might have been tempted to stop right there when he heard his daughter had died. But if he had turned away in that moment, he would never have seen Jesus raise her from the dead. It reminds me of a child knocking on his father’s bedroom door late at night. The child doesn’t worry about being a burden. He knocks because he knows his father cares. And our Heavenly Father cares far more than we can imagine.
HOW ABOUT YOU, TODAY? This story reminds me that delays are not denials. What seems final to us is not final with God. Jairus thought Jesus needed to arrive before his daughter died. But Jesus showed him that His power reaches far beyond our expectations. And the same Lord who walked into that house is still listening today when we call on Him.
So when the voice of discouragement asks, “Why trouble the Master any further?” the answer is simple: Because He still hears! Because He still cares! And because He is still able! Maybe you need to pray a prayer like this today…”Lord, when fear and discouragement whisper that it’s too late, help me remember the same words you spoke to Jairus, ‘Be not afraid, only believe.’ Give me the faith to keep praying and trusting You, even when I cannot yet see the answer. In Jesus’ name, amen!” Think it over…🙏