Clever Free Methodist

Difficult as it may be to imagine, there are recorded accounts where people chose to openly mock and laugh at Jesus. One story in the New Testament is about a young girl who had died. Jesus shows up to visit the family. The Jews who had also assembled to weep and wail at the death of a young girl had now turned their attention to ridicule the only One with the power to bring her back from the dead. Upon his arrival and examination of the girl, Jesus simply told them that she was not dead, but merely sleeping. The reaction? It is recorded in Mark 5:39-40 , “He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they laughed him to scorn ….” What? “They laughed Him to scorn.” That is a pretty intense reaction. It is nothing new. Jesus was often the subject of ridicule because of the things He said, and He made many enemies because He told the truth. The Greek word for “scorn” implies derision, jeering, disdain, mocking, or disrespect. Thi

  If you are familiar with the Old Testament story of Joseph (coat of many colors), you recall the seething disdain his brothers had of their younger sibling. Whether Joseph brought that on himself, or it was simply unprovoked, it was apparent there was tension and ill feelings against Joseph. I f you read the story, you’ll soon find that the brothers conspired to do some very mean things to Joseph which included wanting to kill him. There came a time that they were able to rid themselves of Joseph (at least they thought) by selling him into slavery. Finally, he’s gone! They “faked his death” and reported his demise to their father. Their father believes Joseph is dead for many years. They have managed to “get away” with “getting rid” of Joseph….at least that is what they thought. We learn even later in the story that they eventually discover Joseph is not only still alive, but serving in a very powerful position of authority that could possibly result in a major act of retribut