SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT FOR TODAY

Passage: Luke 6:25b

Memory Verse: Luke 6:25b (ESV)

“WOE TO YOU WHO LAUGH NOW, FOR YOU SHALL MOURN AND WEEP.”

In a previous edition of Spiritual Nourishment for Today we looked at Jesus’ second woe statement as found in Luke 6:25a. Today we want to think about the third woe statement as found in Luke 6:25b. According to Jesus, those who laugh now will weep and mourn. What then did Jesus mean by that? Is Jesus against laughter? It is obvious Jesus is not against laughter but rather against a certain group of people who laugh.

What Jesus was talking about in this woe statement is very similar to what he had said earlier concerning those who are satisfied. It is obvious Jesus is not against those who are satisfied. However he is against those who find fulfillment in the things of the world. In the same vein he is not against those who laugh but sending a warning to those who find excessive joy in the things of the world. It is obvious that laughter is a natural outcome of joy or satisfaction. In this case Jesus was not talking about anybody who rejoices and laughs over something God has done in his life or in the lives of others. He was talking about those who laugh because they are satisfied with the things of this world. It is about those who are fond of making merry because of the sensual things of this world. Jesus warned that such people risk weeping and mourning at a future time.

Those who laugh as mentioned by Jesus could also be used to refer to those who are happy at the sufferings and pains of fellow human beings. They are happy and laugh when they see other people going through difficult times. Because they rejoice at the suffering of fellow human beings, they have the disposition towards causing harm to people in order that they can have the cause to laugh. Such people have no compassion for those in need or vulnerable. T hey are rather happy at the sight of such people.

Apart from the above those who laugh also rejoice at the sight, the thought or the act of sin. They have no remorse for their sins. These are those who, proudly self-satisfied, dream that they need nothing, neither repentance in themselves nor forgiveness from God. They have no reason to mourn for their sins. They are rather happy when they are able to accomplish sinful acts. An example can be people who are paid to kill other people. After being able to fulfill their side of the contract and taken their money, they laugh and make merry forgetting that it is against the law of God to take another person’s life. The same people laugh and sing praise songs when others commit sinful acts. They praise the mischievous and treacherous people as the smartest ones in the society. So instead of mourning for sins they rejoice over sins. They rejoice because they see nothing wrong with sin. This means that such people take delight in doing and promoting the very things God hate. They are the direct opposite of those who mourn or weep. Consequently Jesus promised that they will receive punishment for their sensual laughter in the end.

It is important to remind ourselves that not everyone who rejoices over sin will receive punishment at the end of this world. Many receive their punishments while they are alive. Those who take delight in sin may suffer dire consequences in their lifetime. Therefore everyone who commits sin must remember they shall reap what they sow here and the hereafter. Jesus said that the laughter, the joy and the merry-making of sinners will be short lived. This is because sooner or later the time for mourning and weeping of those who laugh now shall come. The weeping and mourning for sinners will not only happen shortly but also eternally as they will be found in a world where there is nothing but weeping and wailing; endless, ceaseless and remediless sorrow. Do not be a lover of sin; mourn for your sins and God will make you laugh!

There are many people who waste their ‘youthful’ days by indulging in sins. They forget that they are accountable to God for whatever they do while they have life. They only realize later how wasted their lives have been when they start facing the consequences of their sins. A typical example is the rich man in Luke 16. By the time he realized he was already in perpetual torment it was too late for him. God has given each of us the time to repent from our sins and turn to him before he gives us over and laughs at our calamities at the time of our fears and sorrows (Proverbs 1:24-26). May we never delight in sin but repent and draw nearer to God before the day of sorrow comes!

THE WORD OF THE LORD!

Pastor Nana Kobina Baisie
Teacher/Pastor at Nadrim Mission International School, Busan, Korea.