They Laughed At Me

Laughter is a funny thing. It is fun to tell a funny story or a joke and people respond with laughter. (It is not as much fun when you think you are telling a funny story and no one laughs, especially in a sermon). But laughter can have a darker side. It is not much fun when people are laughing AT you.

Few things are more embarrassing and hurtful than to have people laughing at you during a moment of failure. Come on, think about your own life -- this has happened to you, probably when we were younger. I have been on both sides-- the laugher, and the one laughed at. Not good, either way.

Have you ever gone out of your way to be nice, or to help someone--it goes wrong and they laugh at your expense? Imagine the pain and disgrace you might feel.

In my bible reading plan I came across this story about Jesus,

Matthew 9:23-25
"23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district. "

First of all, we should be careful projecting our emotions and experience into something similar that happens to Jesus in scripture. But, in this text Jesus is laughed at---and it's not good. The people are mocking Him with laughter. It is meant to be hurtful and to bring embarrassment. Why were they laughing at Him? He was coming to help.

Their laughter is unbelief and lack of understanding. No one can raise some from the dead? The girl had died, it was too late. But, it's not too late for the Author of Life. He has the power over life and death. He can do what seems impossible.

This text is highlighting the person and power of Christ, and the scorn He received during His life. He was laughed at.

I know that Christmas has past, but this is a Christmas text. Jesus willingly left heaven and allowed Himself to be subject to ridicule, scorn, derision. He allowed Himself to experience derisive laughter and humiliation from a people He was coming to help -- from a people He was coming to raise from the dead.

This text demonstrates the incredible depths of God's love that He would sink Himself into humanity and face being laughed at.