If you see a drunk staggering down the street—is it a comedy or a tragedy? It depends on whether it’s your brother or a stranger—or does it? Aren’t they both equally important in God’s eyes? Readers digest says, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Harvard University has done research that proves enzymes activated in the brain while laughing prolongs youthfulness. Jesus tangled and sparred with all manors of people. From the ‘holier-than-thou’ Pharisees to His own Jewish brethren, someone was always trying to trick or trap Him into ‘their point-of-view’. With grace He gave as good as He got! His answers teach us today how to act or react when confronted with a snake in the garden.
Jesus enjoyed hyperbole when He was pushed a little. Matthew chapter 7 reminds us of a case where Jesus told someone that; before he could remove a speck of saw dust out of his brothers eye, to remove the plank out of his own eye. Can you hear the crowd giggling in the background? Of course you can. Jesus often used humor to make His point. Luke chapter 11 tells us a story where Jesus drives a demon out of a man. He is accused of working in collaboration with the devil! With skepticism, Jesus reminds them of their ignorance by pointing them to the obvious. He told His accusers “If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?” He was answered with silence, this in itself was laughable, and why would Satan drive out his own demons? Jesus dismissed this claim as absurd. Then He used a little irony, “By whom do your followers drive them out?” Jesus’ point: that the Kingdom of God had arrived on the premises.
Some ask, “Did the Lord ever laugh?” Here’s what the Bible says…
Proverbs makes it clear that “A joyful heart is good medicine…”
Bottom line:
A world trying to save itself without God is a comedy. A world that ignores God and won’t change is a tragedy.
Pingates
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