Comic Relief

Yesterday’s post was emotionally draining. Dredging up those old memories was exhausting. So let’s take a moment for comic relief.

I think it’s tragic when people approach the Bible expecting every word to be dressed in reverence and solemnity. This is the holy word of God, so I should think that everything I read will be somber. You know what I say to that?

Chill. You’re stressing me out.

During Evening Prayer last night, I found myself chuckling at the stories. Not once, but twice! And I wasn’t struck dead by lightning because I laughed at the Bible. What was so funny?

In Genesis 40 we hear about Joseph (the technicolor dreamcoat guy) interpreting the dreams of his fellow prisoners who are in pharaoh’s clink. Pharaoh’s cupbearer had this dream in which a vine grew grapes and the grapes were crushed into pharaoh’s wine cup. Joseph says that this is good news for the cupbearer, and that pharaoh will lift up the cupbearer’s head and restore him.

The news isn’t so good for pharaoh’s baker. He has a dream in which baskets of baked goods were on his head and birds were eating from the baskets. Here’s how Joseph replies: “This is the dream’s interpretation: the three baskets are three days; within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head – from you! – and hang you on a pole; and the birds will eat the flesh from you” (Genesis 40:18-19).

Sure, it’s dark humor. But at least it deserves a “tee-hee.”

Then there was the reading from I Corinthians. Paul is admonishing the church in Corinth to live up to the fullness of their Christian life. Then he gives them a veiled threat: “What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?” (I Corinthians 5:21).

Yep. Paul carries a cudgel. Watch out.

So please, laugh a little. The bridegroom has come; it’s time to feast and rejoice.