What's So Funny?

Our last post included a poker player's joke about the "Last Supper" of Jesus and His disciples. We admittedly didn't laugh at it, especially when profane language was attributed to Christ.

"I doubt He would have used those words," we told the man. Some of Jesus's words from the New Testament lead us to that conclusion....

But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. -- Matthew 5:34-36

The "swearing" here admittedly refers to an oath or a promise -- not really profanity. But the joke attributed by our fellow player to D.L. Hughley could be classified as "taking God's name in vain," which is barred in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:7). Paul takes the idea farther....

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity .... Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. -- Ephesians 5:3-4

If the profanity was taken out of the joke, it probably would be acceptable. Jesus used absurd word pictures at times to make points -- such as the "camel going through the eye of a needle" (Matthew 19:24).

So we believe God does have a sense of humor, as long as you "keep it clean." If someone wins a poker hand this week with three Kings and you want to break out in a carol, we'll probably laugh along with you.