Anonymous

My opinion on this is that Jesus was as human as they come. He was a baby and all the babies I know laugh a lot and of course cry a lot. He was a toddler and played with His friends outside, surely they laughed as they played. He was a teenager, although He did not do the naughty things teenagers do, He laughed a lot with his friends.
He was altogether a normal person to those did not know that he was the Divine Son of God. That is why they said of Him, His mother, father and brothers we know, how can He claim to be God?
Being a Christian and being happy are not mutually exclusive. I have always encouraged young people to enjoy themselves in church. Have friends and be happy. Christianity is not all about "Thou shalt nots".
Imagine the law of God to be the boundaries, have as much fun as you can within the bounds of the law of God. You will play and laugh. Of course Christians will not enjoy dirty jokes and making others feel bad.

August 30 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

There has long been a notion that Jesus never laughed. Traditionally, paintings of Jesus have tended toward melancholy portrayals of a somber, glum Savior. It is true that Jesus became our Sin-bear...

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July 19 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

This question might be better looked at as a question of whether Jesus appreciated humor. I think we need to remember that Jesus and the Father, Jehovah, are One. 

The scripture says that God laughs at the wicked: "The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, for he sees that his day is coming." (Psalm 37:12,13)

I don't believe that verse is referring to anything that has to do with humor, even though it says that God laughs about it. I think it means that God doesn't regard the threats and plots of the wicked to be taken seriously. I think the writer is saying that God sees the wicked plotting against the just and He says, 'You must be kidding.'

Was Jesus serious all the time? That's another way to interpret this question; and if so, should we be? I think that's what this could be about. There are many who frown upon the pastor who attempts to use humor to either make a teaching point during a sermon, and some who really are put off if the preacher actually tells what they consider to be a joke. 

So, was Jesus serious all the time? I say, 'Of course not.' Has anyone ever lived who is? Why is Jesus thought by many to be a total abnormality? He was a newborn, toddler, pre-teen, adolescent, and so on. So why a question like this? Some believers seem to believe that humor is a departure from righteousness because it can lack seriousness; that a lack of seriousness is to be seen as "jest." 

That's exactly what it is; jest; banter; it means to be playful, lighthearted. I don't think there's anything profane about being playful, or just "joking around." Maybe this behavior gets a knock because of scriptures like Genesis 19:14, which talks about Lot warning his sons-in-law about the Lord's intention to destroy the cities of the region in which they were living. It says, "To them, He seemed to be joking." The fact is, he WAS NOT joking! That doesn't mean we should never joke. Solomon writes that there is a time to laugh and a time to mourn (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Why would Jesus not do both? 

Jesus wept (John 11:35). Yes, he is on record to have cried more than once. He cried when Lazarus died. Jesus' friends and Lazarus' friends and relatives were sad and crying; it caused him to cry... He also cried for Jerusalem when he considered her refusal to repent, and because of the coming destruction (Luke 19:41-44). 

But there is no writing that tells us, "Jesus laughed." Or that he "smiled." He wept, slept, was tired, hungry and angered. He was sorrowful and troubled in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26, Mk 14). In Luke 10, it is reported that he "rejoiced" in the Holy Spirit. Do we imagine that he rejoiced with a frown on his face? No! To rejoice is to be overjoyed, to celebrate. 

Did Jesus ever have what we consider to be "A day off"? I mean, a day in which he lets his hair down and just takes a deep breath? A day of fun and laughter? Could he and his posse attending the wedding in Cana be seen as an attempt at such a day? (here's a hint: a wedding is a celebration, an event at which we are to rejoice; that's why they needed more wine) (John 2).

When the wedding planner ran out of wine for the celebration, Jesus was told of the situation by his mother, Mary, who was in attendance. He responded, "What has that to do with me, my hour has not yet come." For the purpose of this writing, I'm interpreting his words to contain a little bit of humor toward his mom. He could be saying, 'Cmon Mom, today is supposed to be my day off!'

October 15 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

A quote (from page 65 of 147) from the excellent book The Day Christ Died by Jim Bishop (an hour-by-hour account of the events from the Last Supper through Jesus' death, with additional background sections on the Jewish world, the Roman world, and the life of Jesus Himself) (fully readable at https://www.hoopladigital.com/play/16695462):

"Except in one case, no one cared to mark the numberless times that Jesus sat by a road with children. It was of no significance to anyone, including the apostles, that the little ones brought the full, ripe, unguarded smile to the face of Jesus. These were the times when the Man who was never known to laugh, laughed; this was the time for the sharing of innocent secrets, the time when a small pudgy hand could pull through the brown beard with impunity; the time when a weary heart sang as it saw, in a rare dream, love coming back in full measure to Him who had offered it."

(Although a specific biblical mention of laughter on the part of Jesus is not cited, I have no difficulty accepting the above rendering of events as totally credible and consistent with Scripture.)

October 16 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report