Monday's thoughts on next Sunday's sermon

"Seriously, Jesus was Joking"

Every now and then I need to get in touch with an idea that has been promoted by a number of credible theologians including Elton Trueblood. It is the idea that much of the Gospel is spoken in light of a certain amount of irony. There is humor in the words and they speak to us and come much more alive to us if we realize it.

Trueblood wrote a book entitled The Humor of Christ.

What I want to explore in this sermon is precisely that. I want to take a look at some of the things attributed to Jesus and I want to put those words in the context from which they are spoken. I want to look for the ironic humor in his words.

We have come up with the assumption that every thing he was about and everything he said was absolutely and completely serious. With that assumption we are overlooking the fact that, in the New Testament texts themselves, there are example of criticisms of Jesus and how he and his followers were inappropriately rowdy and loud. Being in the midst of that "table fellowship" which was what the disciples experienced there was laughter and fun. He attracted people because he helped people see religion as a life giving power rather than a sober and deadly set of doctrines and practices.

As I think about the humor of Christ and where we might find it I think of some of those really difficult passages such as the time he said, "If your hand causes you to sin cut it off." Was he serious? Was he joking?

I think about the time he called Simon by a new name and suggested that his name would become Peter which means "rock" and he said, "upon this rock I will build my church". Was that serious? Peter was one of the most unstable of the disciples and when Jesus called him "rock" it could have been said as an ironic joke.

Do you think all the saying attributed to Jesus are serious? Are there sections of the New Testament that would make more sense to you if they were put forth as ironic and as humorous?

What do you think about this? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with others click on the 'comments' box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster