I expect we’ve all heard the saying, “he who laughs last laughs best.” Jesus will always get the last laugh. Do you remember Jairus’ 12-year-old daughter? She was near death, and Jairus pleaded with Jesus to come to her and heal her. But Jesus was interrupted on His way by a woman who had suffered many years with a particular illness. Jesus postponed His meeting with Jairus’ daughter to take care of this woman. A messenger arrived, telling Jesus not to bother because the little girl had died in the interim. Jesus ignored the messenger and continued to Jairus’ house. When Jesus arrived at Jairus’ house, it was filled with mourners. Jesus told them not to weep because the girl wasn’t dead but just sleeping. Luke 8:53 records their response: “And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.” But Jesus went into the house and raised her and returned her to her father, and everyone marveled. I think Jesus might have laughed! I know I would have! He who laughs last laughs best.
Abraham, the great man of faith, was promised a son. He then lived for 25 more years, approaching 100 years, and still hadn’t had a son. God renewed His promise to Abraham, and Abraham laughed. No! Genesis 17:17 tells us, “Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed…” it sounded so hilarious to Abraham that he lost control and fell to the ground with laughter. I need not remind you that Sarah also laughed. After all, she was 90 years old and way beyond menopause! My wife and I are in our seventies (as of this writing), and if God or anyone suggested we were going to have a baby, I would have great difficulty keeping a straight face. Wouldn’t you? But God got the last laugh. A baby boy was born to Sarah, Just as predicted! He directed Abraham to name the boy Isaac, which means laughter!
Isaac was the son of promise through whom another son would be born who would bring God’s blessing upon the whole world. For several millenniums, “Laughter’s” descendants awaited the fulfillment of that promise. Then, another child was miraculously conceived by a virgin who brought forth her firstborn son and named Him Jesus. He brought healing, freedom, joy, and laughter to all who received Him. In response, the religious community arrested Him, tried Him, convicted Him, abused Him, and hung Him on a cross to die. While suffering, they spit at Him, mocked Him, and laughed at Him! But Jesus, once again, gets the last laugh! After three days in the tomb, Jesus rose from the dead! If at no other time, at Easter, every believer should be laughing their heads off. It’s the celebration of the last laugh. It is our last laugh also. In John 16:33, Jesus says, “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you have tribulation, but be of good cheer (be happy! Laugh!), I have overcome the world.”