The Last Laugh

# 389 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:38-40a. Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him.”

When someone died in this culture, the people went all out for the funeral. In Matthew's account of this event, he mentions that there were hired flute players at the event! Could you imagine this happening in our culture today? I can see the funeral director going over the itemized planning of the event.: Coffin.... obituary........ band........ professional mourners........

Imagine hiring out as a “professional mourner!” Ring! Ring! “Hello, For Crying Out Loud Mourning Service. We wail till we're pale!”

This professional mourning was fairly big business. The higher one's station in life, the more mournful ambiance could be created. These professionals had definitely seen there fair share of funerals. They knew the difference between someone sleeping and dying. This girl was dead, and being professionals with no blood ties to the family, they were free to laugh at Jesus, and they did.

But, stay tuned! As we shall see, in the matter of death, it is Jesus who has the last laugh. “O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55)

I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word