Sun 9:30a Class; 10:30a Worship; 11:35a Communion
Bible Bites
Mock Humor
“In the same way, the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves…” (Mark 15:31a)
The word ‘mock’ comes from the Greek word ‘to play or joke’. When we mock someone, we are joking and playing with them… but not in a good way. They didn’t ask to be played with, and we are joking at them, not with them. There’s a difference, and we all know it when we see it. A joke that is too cutting or sarcastic turns into mocking pretty quickly. I’ve been guilty of that. Perhaps you have, too?
The worst type of mocking is done in groups. That’s what the priests and scribes did to Jesus. They gathered around and made fun of our Lord amongst themselves. They laughed at His teachings, made fun of how beat up His body was, and even joked about Jesus’ relationship with His Father. It was cruel, and it pains us to read those parts of the Bible.
Don’t become a part of a mocking group. It’s sinful to joke about people behind their backs or gossip about them when they are down and out. If you tell a joke that goes too far, own it and apologize; you will make a friend instead of losing one. The best jokes bring us together without tearing someone down. Humor can be hard, so don’t be afraid to choose silence if you aren’t sure whether a joke will be too harsh. Better to be quietly kind then loudly rude.
Laughter can be the best medicine, but the need to “get a laugh” can be an addictive drug. Far too many times the desire to be funny is more about being the center of attention than it is about bringing joy to others. It takes introspection to realize that our “humor” is more about hubris.
Mocking comes in many forms, but all of them lead to the same path – denigrating others for sport. Don’t fall for the devil’s trap! Let us be known for raising the bar in our interactions with others so that God is glorified, and man is edified.
