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We trust that you were encouraged by this month’s focus on humor in the Bible. Thanks be to God for His Word that offers us encouragement, hope, truth, wisdom, guidance, and even humor. Let us rejoice in our God who often works in our lives in humorous and unexpected ways.
TODAY IN THE WORDDante’s epic Divine Comedy has often confused readers by its name. What could be funny about an epic journey through hell (Inferno), purgatory, (Purgatorio), and heaven (Paradiso)? Using the classic literary model of comedy, however, Dante gave this title to his work because it is a work of hope, not despair. He believed that a true happy ending was possible only with the existence of the Divine who orders all things to an ultimate good. The Divine Comedy ends on the highest possible note with the vision of God.
As we conclude our study this month of humor in Scripture, we end with the highest note in the comedy of redemption: the story of God’s saving work for His people. As one scholar noted, all other comedies found in the Bible rest on the foundation of the plot of salvation history itself, the U-shaped comedy of creation, fall, and redemption.
Jesus Himself embodied this perfectly. He was born as a baby, somehow encapsulating the mystery of being fully God and also fully human. He proclaimed the good news of repentance and reconciliation with God, yet was opposed and eventually executed.
If the story ended at the crucifixion, all of Scripture would be a tragedy. God would be defeated. Jesus would be pathetic. But in the greatest reversal in all of history, the death of the Son of God was not history itself, the U-shaped comedy of creation, fall, and redemption.
Jesus Himself embodied this perfectly. He was born as a baby, somehow encapsulating the mystery of being fully God and also fully human. He proclaimed the good news of repentance and reconciliation with God, yet was opposed and eventually executed.
If the story ended at the crucifixion, all of Scripture would be a tragedy. God would be defeated. Jesus would be pathetic. But in the greatest reversal in all of history, the death of the Son of God was not the hour of defeat, but rather the moment of victory! Jesus accomplished our salvation, and God raised Him from the dead.
The comedy of the resurrection has implications for us. First, it makes grace, the reversal of the penalty we deserve, possible. Second, it makes our own resurrection from the dead possible (see 1 Cor. 15). Finally, God’s triumph over sin and death means that we who have been redeemed get to participate in rejoicing and worship for all eternity (see Rev. 21:3). God created humanity to dwell with Him, but the fall imposed separation. Jesus Christ has made a way for us to live with God. That “happy ending” will be just the beginning!
TODAY ALONG THE WAYWe see two different reactions to the resurrection of Jesus. The guards were afraid, and, in order to cover their own incompetence and protect the reputation of their employers, they were willing to accept bribes and spread lies (vv. 4, 12-15). The women were also afraid but responded with joy, obedience, and worship (vv. 8-9). Not everyone can appreciate the greatest comedy! How will you respond to Jesus? Will you try to hide your failings, or will you respond with joy, obedience, and worship before the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer?
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