Humour in the Bible
Then said they unto him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. John 9:26-28
Read John 13:31-35
Sometimes an incident in God’s Word comes across as rather humorous. We have such an episode before us. The Pharisees would not leave this man alone. They did not want to give any credit to the Lord Jesus for the miracle He had performed, and they would not give up until they were proven right. But that was not easy when the facts proved otherwise; this man who stood before them was no longer blind. They actually acknowledged this without realizing it when they asked: What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?
That’s when it begins to get somewhat humorous. The people at this scene did not find this humorous, but, as we read in Psalm 2: He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. The humour before us begins with the answer the man gave to his interrogators: Will ye also be his disciples? It would have been better if they had given an affirmative answer, for only God is able to perform the impossible. Instead, they began to rant and rave. Here we are shown the difference between works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21) and fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).
We also hear their self-condemnation when they answer: We are Moses’ disciples, indicating that they need to keep every jot and tittle of the law! Who is able to do this? That’s the point: Christ Jesus alone! That is why their confession concerning the blind man is such a glorious testimony: Thou art his disciple. Talk about something being humorous.
Thought: A follower of Moses can only work himself to death.
Psalter 4: 1,2 (based on Psalm 2) O wherefore do the nations rage, And kings and rulers strive in vain, Against the Lord of earth and heaven, To overthrow Messiah’s reign? Their strength is weakness in the sight Of Him Who sits enthroned above; He speaks, and judgments fall on them Who tempt His wrath and scorn His love.