Do you have room in your faith for a laughing Jesus? For a long time I didn’t. Oh, I had room for the serious, faith talking, in your face, hard nosed Jesus but not a laughing Jesus. Then in 1983, I sat on the shores of Galilee watching the sun rise only to hear laughter. I saw in the distance a small fishing boat and some men splashing water at each other. It hit me. I had no room for a laughing, dare I say, “fun” Jesus. My view of Jesus was incomplete, so was my religion. If Jesus shows us how to be human, then laughter is not optional.
Jesus laughter was certainly not at the expense of others. Nor was his laughter one of practical jokes. I am convinced Jesus laughed with deep joy, gratitude and hope when children came near; when faith was seen in the most unlikely people; and particularly when Zaccheus said, “Look, half of my possessions Lord I will give to the poor”(Lk 19.8a). Jesus response, “Today, salvation has come to this house..”(Lk 19.9a). Salvation means sharing!
It’s thanksgiving time and we would do well to connect the dots of gratitude, laughter and salvation. Nothing worse than a ungrateful church whose joy is contained and laughter is absent.
Happy Thanksliving!