...can you see the humor...

“While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”    Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.   When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.    He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.”  But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.    He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old).      At this they were completely astonished.    He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat”

Mark 5: 35 - 43.

In the home of Jairus, a synagogue ruler, Jesus uses practical knowledge to break a tense situation.   

Jairus’ twelve-year-old daughter just died.   Jesus, three of His disciples, and the child’s parents fill the room (Mark 5:40).   Jesus goes to the body, picks up the girl’s hand, says to her, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” (v. 41).    The girl immediately gets up and walks around the room (v. 42).   Mark records the reaction of those in the room as “completely astonished” (v. 42); in other words, they’re probably stunned and silent.   Jesus responds with something practical:   He tells them to give her something to eat (v. 43).   A natural human reaction — when grief is turned to unexpected joy as when a dead girl is brought back to life — is something loud like laughter or shouting.    

Here, Jesus cracks a joke by reminding everybody that a little girl who has been sick, experienced death, and is now alive is hungry!    Well of course she needs to eat!    All twelve year-olds have ravenous appetites!    So this practical, timely and kind statement from Jesus breaks all the tension, pent-up grief and amazement present in the room among the girl’s parents and Jesus’ three disciples.   

Is this nothing more than Jesus’ expressing a little humor? Perhaps.  So go tell someone a good joke today.   After all, a little humor helps!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Oh Lord, help us laugh today and see the humor in our life.   Amen!

PS. What’s the difference between a Lutheran, a Methodist, and a Baptist in Alabama?   The Lutheran and Methodist will say Hi to you in a liquor store!