I've been on a mission of sorts lately...I have been determined to "See Jesus more clearly." I've noticed that my blog is more about my faith (or lack thereof sometimes) and my journey through this life. I don't think this was intentional but that's how its turned out. So, it's really no surprise that today I'm writing about Jesus.In my effort to see Him more clearly, I was wondering..."Did Jesus have a sense of humor when He walked the earth?" I have always thought that in order for someone to connect with people they have to have some sense of humor. So, was Jesus the kind of guy who would sit beside me at a cookout and tell a few jokes?
Here are a few examples of what I see as a sarcastic side of Jesus which show, that just like me, He had a dry sense of humor...
He loved to make the point that people find it so easy to blame others for mistakes instead of first examining themselves for their own errors: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Good one, Jesus.
Later, He goes on to make a point about His father's generosity: "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or, if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?" I'm with you, Jesus.
He did things that people may laugh at but still proved a point...He showed no stupidity in His humor...but His dry humor worked. It made people listen and just like any form of sarcastic humor, it was met with mixed reactions.
I also think that Jesus loved a party...as funny as it may sound; maybe he wasn't dancing to the latest middle eastern sounds but He loved to attend events where plenty of people were present. He performed His first miracle so that a wedding party could continue. His famous story of the prodigal son ends in a party, and the older son who would not attend the party is portrayed as the one with the problem.
One final thought about Jesus and His sense of humor...the children loved Jesus and let's face it...children don't like meanies. In order for a child to truly love and be attracted to someone they have to have a loving heart and plenty of humor...Jesus obviously had this. Even though His disciples thought that Jesus must have had better things to do than talk to children, Jesus told them, "Let the children come to me, and don't hinder them."
There is no doubt that Jesus had a sense of humor...He laughed and He made people laugh. I think that many people look beyond the humor and just think of Jesus as "Serious Jesus" but in order for Him to connect with humanity He had to be just like us in terms of recognizable traits...humor is one of them. Now you'll have to excuse me....Jesus and I are picking my NCAA basketball brackets.
Be Well.
Bill
