Have you ever wondered if God has a sense of humor? I have, and I am sure that He does. Nothing cuts the self-important more than being laughed at. Nothing makes a point more clearly than humor.

I once heard someone say, "If you don't think God has a sense of humor, go look in a mirror." I look in the mirror and know that God has to have a sense of humor. Why else would I be losing my hair and have a growing nose?

Here are some Biblical examples that make me sure God has a sense of humor. God continually refers to His people as sheep. Just how dumb are sheep? They are afraid to drink from water that has ripples in it? Hmmmmm. And we are sheep. Can we laugh at ourselves over this idea?

In Mark 4:12, what would be the consequences of putting a lit lamp under a bed with a straw stuffed mattress? Smart, huh?

How about the idea of a thief warning his victim when he was coming to rob him in Luke 12:39? Is that funny? It is when looked at from a realistic perspective.

Jesus ridiculed the Pharisees for cleansing of the outside of the cup while leaving the inside filthy. The part of the cup that contains what you are about to swallow being filthy is a humorous way of showing the ridiculousness of the Pharisees' concern over externals.. Matthew 23:25-26

Jesus' contrast of the Pharisees reception of John and Himself has to be humorous. What do you kids want? Luke 7:31-35 They thought there was something wrong with John because he led such an austere life. Then, there was something wrong with Jesus because he did not lead an austere life. The juvenile terms used to describe the Pharisees' objections are really funny.

Draw yourself a mental picture of a man trying to swallow a camel whole and succeeding. Then see the same man trying to swallow a gnat and choking on it. This is great humorous imagery. Matthew 23:24-25

In Matthew 6:1-8, Jesus recognizing the "false humility" of the Pharisees before God, while they strutted their righteousness and generosity before men is pointing out the ridiculous arrogance of foolish men.

What is there about our life and attitudes that Jesus could use humor to correct us? When we discover it, will it be funny, or sad? Would we be angry or grateful?

Vance