Have you ever wanted to ask someone to do something for you, but you talked yourself out of it because you didn’t think they would do it anyway?   Most of us could say “yes” to that question. That’s why we often think the answer is “no” before we go to God with our prayers.  We tend to look at God as being like man;  you know, not caring, or too busy to get involved, or “it’s not my job”.  Big mistake, and it robs us of much joy and blessings.
    Years ago I worked in a place where nobody wanted to go above the minimum requirements of their job.  I did machine work, and if someone dropped a nut or bolt on the floor, you could forget about someone else picking it up, they’d say “that’s not my job”, and walk away.  That attitude showed in everything they did, and one by one I saw them come and go, and they never stayed long, because “that wasn’t their job”.  My attitude has always been, “someone has to do it, and it might as well be me”, and it has served me well through life.  Sure, I’ve had to pick up the slack many times, but a little extra effort never killed anyone, and it feels pretty good at the end of the day to know I did my best, even if it wasn’t my job.
   I read of someone in the Bible that always went the extra mile, no matter if it was convenient or not, and his name was Jesus.  He would spend all day teaching the multitudes, never worrying about his own comfort or needs, and would heal all their sick.  On two occasions we read of him feeding the multitudes so they wouldn’t have to depart and faint on the way home from hunger.  I’m sure Jesus would have liked to sit down with a cool drink at the end of the day and just kick back, but there was always someone there waiting with a need.  We never see where Jesus told anyone “that’s not my job”, do we?
   One day Jesus arrived by ship to the land of the Gadarenes, and had to deal with a man full of devils in a grave yard.  Jesus ordered the devils out, and gave them leave to enter into a herd of pigs, which ran into the sea and were drowned.  The man with the devils was instantly delivered, and the people of the community were scared and asked Jesus to leave.  Fine thanks for setting a man free, wouldn’t you say?  Nevertheless, Jesus got back in the ship and went back to where he came from.  Upon landing there, much people gathered unto Jesus, and once again, Jesus was ministering to them.  We will pick up the story in Mark 5:22, “And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, my little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.  AND JESUS WENT WITH HIM…..” 
   Did you see that?  “And Jesus went with him.”  I can imagine Jesus might have been pretty tired and hungry by that time of day, yet he never uttered a word of complaint.  You or I might have said, “Y’know Jairus, I’m sorry for your problem, but it’s been a long day, so why don’t you fill out a prayer request form and leave it with one of my disciples, ok?”
   Do you think Jairus, who was a leader of the synagogue, would risk his neck and job by approaching Jesus if he thought the answer would be NO?  I don’t think so.  You see, Jairus likely had heard about the compassion of Jesus, and knew if he could but ask, the answer would be yes.  We read of those who cried out to Jesus, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me!  And what did Jesus do?  HE SHOWED THEM MERCY!
   There’s an account of a Centurion who asked Jesus for mercy for his servant who was at home grievously tormented.  And what does the Bible say?   And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.  As we read the remainder of that particular story, the Centurion told Jesus that he didn’t have to come to his house; that he could send the word only, and his servant would be healed, so Jesus did just that and sent the Word.  Just in these accounts alone, we readily see the willingness of the Lord Jesus to come to someone’s side and heal them.  Jesus didn’t even require them to come to HIM,  if necessary, Jesus would go to THEM.
   In Acts Chapter nine we read of Peter being in Lydda, and he was asked to come to Joppa without delay to pray for Dorcus.  And he went with them, and raised her from the dead.
   Yet, so many of “God’s children” can’t be bothered to drop what they’re doing at the time to even pray for the sick, let alone get in their car and go to them and pray and heal them.  And heaven forbid if they’re somewhere in another city or across the State.  You know, I think we’ve lost sight of who our Lord Jesus really is, because there is so much hardness of heart among the brethren in evidence.  We need to carefully and prayerfully read the scriptures detailing the ministry of the Lord Jesus and the disciples.  We need to consider how Jesus went out of his way, time and time again, to bless people, then look in the mirror and say, Am I like Jesus?  Am I doing the works of one of his disciples?  If your truthful answer is no, don’t give up, just repent and ask God for another chance, for He is the God of another chance.
   If someone calls you to go pray for their sick family member, what will you do?  Will you offer an excuse, or will it be written of you someday, “AND HE WENT WITH THEM”?