“But Jesus paid no attention to what they said.” Mark
5:36.
Not paying attention has never been considered a virtue. It has
been the downfall of many a student. But Jesus was constantly not paying attention. There are many who say the way to win is to be a “go-getter,” but Jesus said, “The meek shall inherit
the earth.” Many have said the sword is the way to power, but
Jesus said, “He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.” Many warned Him
of the cross, but Jesus faced it and said, “I will draw all men
unto me.” Jesus had the fine art of paying no attention to
vices that would get him off the straight path.
Our story illustrates this principal of Jesus. Jairus came to
Him with a perplexing question. He tells Jesus that his little
daughter is ill unto death and there is hope if Jesus comes immediately.
And Jesus starts immediately.
But there is an interruption. Jesus stops to deal with a needy
woman who has touched Him, and Jesus is so leisurely about it that
Jairus becomes almost frantic. Then what Jairus feared, happened.
Messengers came saying the girl was dead. These messengers seemed
delighted in bringing bad news. Lots of people delight in doing
just that. They said, “Why bother the master further.” But
the fatal news had no effect on Jesus. He paid no attention. He
acted as though they had never spoken. He never stopped until he
had changed death into life.
A good lesson in this story is that when we set out on a high
quest, we may count on meeting with prophets of disaster. Abraham
found that out. Moses had his trouble in the matter. Columbus met
all the opposition. No one undertakes anything of significance without someone trying to discourage it.
What are we to do about that? We can hear them if we desire. If we
do, we will either become half-hearted or quit altogether. There
isn’t anything so devastating as half-heartedness. A man said
“The devil has my church, therefore I’m not going
anymore.” A good saint of the same church said to him, “He
may have your pew. I never see you in it, but he hasn’t mine
yet.” The trouble with the quitter was, he had not the
fine art of not paying attention.
How can we help paying attention? Not by stopping our ears. You
can shut your radio off, but if you have no radio you’ll miss
the good as well. In Genesis, we read, “God said,” and “The serpent said.” God and the serpent are still
speaking. Only you can decide to which one you will pay attention.