The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1301-J, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 12."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. ©1980. All Rights Reserved.

Question

Did our Lord ever show a sense of humor and are there any examples that He ever laughed? Many times I have read that Jesus wept, but I’ve never heard that He ever laughed.

Answer

Listen, He could not have survived three years with the disciples if He didn’t have a sense of humor. There’s absolutely no way He would have ever made it. Listen, He was all that a man is. I mean, He loved little children; He gathered them in His lap. And a lapful of little children in Matthew 18 must have brought joy to His heart. I mean, I know there are times when He must have laughed as men laughed as He cried when men cried. But when it deals with Him in the Bible, the seriousness of the presentation of the writer precludes any of the frivolous and the passing. I don’t think He laughed as much as most people, because He could see the reality of everything so clearly. But if the angels rejoice in heaven over one sinner that repents, surely He does. Surely His joy is the truest joy, the most profound joy. But I happen to believe that God made the sense of humor. I mean, if we’re created in the image of God—I mean, just look at all of us, He has to have a sense of humor, right? Do you ever just sit and watch people go by? God has to have a sense of humor. So, OK? But the Bible says nothing about that.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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