Subscription Lists

Just read the following biblical passage.

“While He [Jesus] spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.’ So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. …When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, ‘Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.’ And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that land.” (Matthew 9.18-19; 23-26).

And they ridiculed Him. This commentary was not and is not the end of the story. Had Jesus done nothing but talk, and had the story stopped there, I suggest that His enemies would have continued to ridicule Him. However, Jesus did more than just talk. The events that immediately followed contrast the power of God with the power of men. They said to Jesus, “You don’t know what you are talking about in saying she is not dead or sleeping; she is dead and that is the end of the story.” Jesus said nothing except charge them to get out! Mark and Luke say He “put them out.” The language is strong; it connotes forceful speech and action!

Then the demonstration proved the proposition. His proposition said, “She is not dead!” This meant that the state she was in was not her final state. They said, “She is dead!” This meant that the state she was in was final and they might as well get on with the funeral arrangements. Two very different propositions, but only one was correct. Arguments alone would not have proved one way or the other. Only a demonstration could sway the conclusion. So, Jesus raised her from the dead. This act was greater than ten thousand words! His proposition (she is not dead) was proven by the fact that she emerged, alive and well!

It is interesting that the word translated “ridiculed” comes from a Greek word which literally means that they “laughed Him to scorn.” We are not told how many people were laughing at Him, but we do know that it was a plurality of people. One would believe from a careful reading of the passage that there were probably more people laughing at Him than were supportive of Him. That is the way such matters usually go. A few people do not laugh another to scorn; usually the “mob-rule” mentality takes over in such cases. Once again, the principle is proven that a truth is not decided by a plurality of votes!

The last word in this particular confrontation was not the word of the scorners; it was the action of Deity in response to the scorners. Actually that is not quite accurate; Jesus’ actions were not in response to the scorners! He would have doubtlessly raised the child from the dead whether the scorners had been present or not. However, it is certain that His actions stopped the mouths of some while convincing any honest-hearted onlookers of the fact that He was God in the flesh.

Ridicule is a powerful weapon regardless of whose hands wield it. In some very, very special circumstances it might be used by proponents of truth (e.g. Elijah and the prophets of Baal), but ordinarily ridicule and scorn are tools of the devil and not of righteousness. Before using such tactics to defeat an opponent, one should give extremely careful thought to the matter. Ridicule does not an argument prove!

Questions:

1. Why do you think Jesus put the scoffers out before he raised the girl from the dead?

2. What effect would this miracle have had on those who might have possessed a good and honest heart?

3. Is it possible for one with a good heart to embrace error? Is ridicule an appropriate tool to use in such cases? Why or why not?

4. What is the weight of a demonstration as opposed to mere words? How can we apply this principle in our daily walk as believers?

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

The Best Ace