Monday’s thoughts
“Don’t Make Me Laugh” is the title to the sermon for Sunday, January 21st. I have wanted to do a series of sermons on biblical humor and this is one episode of an attempt. Much in our bible is given to us with humor. The problem is we have so domesticated it that the humor has been stripped from it.
The story of Abraham and Sarah is a prime example. This is a story of an older couple and when she finds out she is pregnant she is so convinced it is a joke that when the baby is born he is named “laughing child”. I plan to point out several stories in the bible that are made more meaningful if we can see the humor in the stories.
Let me ask this question and tell me what you think. When Jesus said, “If your hand causes you to sin cut it off. If you eye causes you to sin pluck it out”, was he serious or is this an example of ironic humor?
If you have thoughts about the humor in the bible write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net If you are willing to have your thoughts shared with the congregation hit the “comments” box on this page.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
In reference to the analogy to cutting off the offensive hand, I guess I really don’t see ironic humor so much as I see exaggeration to pound home the point that causing an offense, which I read as being hurtful to others, is grevious to both the person offended and oneself. Better to separate oneself from the things in life that cause this to happen than to be hurtful.
I see more ironic humor in other situations. For example, when He chastised the pharisees about calling John the Baptist “of the devil” because he fasted and didn’t drink wine, and called Jesus a gluttonous wino because He did eat and drink. Or when He was woken by His disciples in the storm, and asked them what the big deal was?.
I believe that Jesus likely had a terrific sense of humor. I just don’t think the gospel narratives did much of a job picking up that essence of Him.