The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 225

II. IT 18 FAITH WBIOB MAKES EFFECTUAL AND PECULIAR THE SINNER'S TOUCH 01' THE SAVIOUR. Ill. TBB SECRET BELIEVER IS BUMJII0NED TO AN OPEN TEBTIJII0NY. For the sake of: (1) honour; (2) spiritual health; and (3) the advantage of other,.-M. • Ver. 3!i.-" Wny troublest thou the Master any further," 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 u.selesa 1 "Thy daughter is dead ; n 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 procably weary. It had beeu 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 c,f Jairus" (Bengel). II. THE FALLACIES IT INVOLVED. It is obvious that a great portion of the prev10us considerations apply only to the human state of Christ, the days of his flesh and feeble- ness. 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 bis aid anti 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 n (John v. 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-" I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and be that believetb on me shall never thirst" (John vi. 35); "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall be live" (John xi. 25); "He that bclievetb on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall hedo" (John xiv. 12); "All things are possible to him that believeth" (eh. ix. 23); and how often as here, "Only believe" I llow universal his invita- tions I-" If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John vii. 37); "Corne unto me, o.ll ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. xi. 28). "Ask, and it shall be given you.," etc. (Matt. vii. 7). 3. There u no case tuo d1'iperale to bring to Christ. No disease could baffle him whilst be was amongst men; &ven the gravfl 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, o.nd it was that he might comfort and save men he came. Even whilst we think our case 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 measu.re, and is altogether vile,  222 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [CB, v. 1-43,