Have you ever asked yourself this question, “Why bother?”

Let’s ponder a story found in the book of Mark chapter five. Mark is my favorite gospel, and I love chapter five. It is filled with so much truth. I cannot cover the chapter in a blog, but we can explore a small part of the chapter.

Jesus had calmed the storm as He and His disciples crossed the lake to the other side. As Jesus stepped onto the shore, much ministry awaited Him. The crowd grew large and began to press in on Him. A synagogue leader named Jairus worked his way to Jesus and fell at the Master’s feet. He began to plead for his daughter who was very sick. “Jesus, if you will come to my house and place Your hands upon her, I know she will be healed.” Immediately Jesus began following Jairus to his home.

Don’t you know Jairus was so excited? I can just see his tears and his smile because he knows the great healer is about to turn the situation around!

As they headed to the home of Jairus, Jesus was interrupted on the journey. A woman we know as the woman with the issue of blood, touched the hem of the robe Jesus was wearing, and instantly she was healed. Maybe Jairus was thankful that the woman’s miracle came quickly, but no, Jesus had to stop and have a chat about the miracle. I wonder if Jairus was thinking, “Come on, Jesus, we have to hurry!”

After chatting with the woman and the crowd, Jesus turned back to follow Jairus. Then, some of Jairus’s friends told him it was too late. “The child is dead. No need to bother the Teacher anymore.” Why bother? It is too late.

Mark 5:35-36, “While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearingwhat they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Jairus is hearing more than one voice. He is hearing voices around him saying, “Why bother? Jesus cannot do anything now.” Why bother to believe? Why bother to ask? There it is – the question the devil would love for us to get stuck in our heads. “Why bother?”

Why bother to lose weight because I just gain it all back, and I have so much to lose. Why bother? Why bother trying to improve my relationship with this person? I do all the work. Why bother? I messed up so badly as a parent and I cannot change things. Why bother? Why bother praying about this another time? I have prayed about it so many times. It is like Jesus does not even hear me. Why bother? I have tried to walk with Jesus, but I fail repeatedly, so why bother?

We all have lists of “why bothers.” I know I have had mine over the years.

Beloved, that is exactly where the devil would like you to get stuck! He wants you to ask the question over and over – why bother?

Then, Jesus, after hearing what the crowd had said, told Jairus, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” 

Which voice will Jairus listen to? The voice that says, do not continue bothering Jesus. You are a bother. He does not care. Or will he listen to the voice of Jesus who says, “You are not a bother. I am still at work here. Do not be afraid. Believe.”

Jesus told Jairus to ignore what others were saying and listen to Him, walk with Him, continue the journey with Him. “Jairus, I am still at work in the situation. I have not forgotten about you. Keep walking with me. You are not a bother!”

Jesus arrives at the home of Jairus, and there were plenty of naysayers awaiting Him. Jesus put them outside of the house. He then raised the girl. Do you think Jairus was thankful that he listened to THE voice instead of the voices?

Are you wrestling with why bother today? Do not listen to the voices, but THE voice. We must do what Jesus did and put the negativity outside the house. We must be like Jairus and keep walking toward victory even when it looks impossible.

When “why bother” is tormenting you, stop and read Mark chapter five. Read about Jairus who could have said, “Yes, why bother?” Instead Jairus stepped up in faith and kept walking toward a miracle.

This story teaches us that God delights in rescuing us. Do not miss this! God. Delights. In. You. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”  Because He delights in you. You are not a bother.