Who Has the Last Laugh?

Some people try to build up their ego by making fun of others.  In the following passage, you will find that Jesus despises the haughty attitude of people who disparage others.  More importantly, He loves those who embody a faithful walk that ignores critical words and smug actions from others. Humility, trust, and boldness will get the attention of Jesus, 24X7.

Matthew 9 documents an amazing encounter, ¹⁸ While Jesus was talking, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples… ²³ When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, ²⁴ he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. ²⁵ After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. .

• First, let’s have a look at the background of this text.  While Jesus was talking, a synagogue leader (literally “ruler”) came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died.”  Talking about taking a political risk, Jewish people would have been a buzz regarding one of their religious leaders bowing down embarrassingly to Jesus while He talked to others.  He did this even though Jesus was unpopular, a lightning rod figure to Hebrew leaders.
• This leader makes a dynamic profession, “But come and put your hand on (my daughter), and she will live.”  This leader didn’t care about the ramifications on his career.  He threw caution to the wind.  Why?  He was convinced that Jesus could touch his precious daughter even when she was dead and heal her.  In the midst of a public meeting, he asked Jesus to follow him to his home. 
• When Jesus arrived at this leader’s home, there was a noisy crowd inside with instruments playing while others sung a lament.  A leader’s daughter had died which had high profile within their community.  Jesus addresses them, “’Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.’”  This crowd’s reaction was one of mockery, “But they laughed at (Jesus).”
• Look at what happened next.  This noisy crowd was “put outside.”  Someone ushered the faithless people outside.  Never forget, Jesus had the authority of God when He spoke!
• Because of the faith of a synagogue leader and most importantly, a dad, Jesus “took the girl by the hand, and she got up” full of life and childish vigor.

Are we willing to embarrass ourselves before others to follow Jesus with boldness in our faith and walk?  Do we have a haughty spirit that laughs at others whether these laughs are out loud or not?  When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).  Dear Lord, may others say this about me.