March 15, 2023 — Laughing Because of Unbelief

“I was reading in Luke’s gospel the other day,” Stan commented one morning as we waited for Ricky to bring our breakfast, “and I saw something that some people did that was a really bad idea.”

“Who was doing what that was such a bad idea?”

“The ‘who’,” Stan replied, “were some people who were weeping. The ‘what’ is that they laughed at Jesus.”

“Laughed at Jesus?” I questioned. “Why’d they do that?”

“Quick summary of what was going on,” Stan said. “Jesus had just returned from healing a man who had a bunch of demons. Jesus was in the middle of a crowd when a man named Jairus showed up and asked Jesus to heal his sick daughter.”

“Was his daughter with him?”

“No,” Stan replied. “She was at home. But before Jesus could even start to go there, someone from Jairus’ house came and told him that his daughter had died.”

“That’s too bad,” I responded. “Then what?”

“When Jesus heard what was said,” Stan replied, “He told Jairus not to be afraid, but to believe, and his daughter would be made well.”

“So did Jesus go to Jarirus’ house?”

“He did,” Stan replied. “And when He got there, that’s when the weeping and laughing people came onto the scene.”

“How so?”

“When Jesus entered the house, there was a bunch of people weeping over the death of Jairus’ daughter. Jesus told them to stop weeping because the girl wasn’t dead; she was only asleep. And that’s when they laughed.”

“Because they thought they knew better than Jesus?” I replied. “Is that why they laughed?”

“That’s it,” Stan said. “Jesus went on to wake up the girl, but before that happened it says that those people laughed because they knew that the girl had died. And what they did is not a whole lot different from what happens way too often today?”

“What’s that?”

“People laugh at Jesus and at the people who believe in Jesus,” Stan said. “They laugh because they think they know better.”

“But they don’t,” I commented.

“Exactly,” Stan replied. “And there can be some serious consequences when people laugh because they don’t believe, thinking they know better.”

“Like what?”

“Two things,” Stan said. “First, they will miss being in God’s presence for all of eternity when their time here is finished. Secondly, they will miss the eternal life of knowing Jesus and His Father while they remain on this side of eternity.”

“If that’s what they will miss because they laugh in their unbelief,” I asked, “do you think God will say, in essence, that He has the last laugh?”

“I do not,” Stan replied. “God doesn’t want anyone to perish.”

“And,” he continued, “when those who are perishing realize too late that their lack of belief  was no laughing matter, I don’t think God will be laughing. Satan probably will be, but God won’t. And we shouldn’t either.” 

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Bible verses to consider:

Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.” And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. Luke 8:52-53.

He began to say, “Depart; for the girl is not dead, but is asleep.” And they were laughing at Him. Matthew 9:24.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for providing the way to you for all who believe. It is the way to you for all of eternity, beginning here. Thank you for those who brought me to the truth so I could believe. I pray for each person who is still laughing at you and at those who believe in you, thinking they know better. I pray they will come to the truth so Satan will not be laughing when they step into eternity to be with him forever. Please help me follow every step of your lead in helping those who are laughing so they will see, believe, and accept the truth of your free and gracious provision. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted God’s free and gracious provision of life eternally with Him that begins on this side of eternity? If no, why? Why do you want to be separated from God for all of eternity, as well as being separated from what He has for you while you remain here? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with seeking to save the lost who are still laughing at Jesus and at those who believe in Him? If you sense the need for change in how you view those who are laughing, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?