adminI AM a believer. I believe laughter is one of the greatest medicines God gave us. However, like all medicines, it must only be taken by those for whom it is intended. A fun loving friend of mine called Qiniso loves telling an anecdote in which laughter had an unexpected outcome. One dark night he and the rest of his family members were gathered around a fire at their rural home. The mood was jovial as family members entertained themselves by sharing jokes. Qiniso’s joke sent all laughing. To everyone’s surprise, louder laughter was heard coming from a nearby bush. They all stopped laughing and the boys rushed to investigate.
Within seconds, the boys dragged out a man who had been hiding. In the light of the fire, the man turned out to be the area’s notorious chicken thief.
“You guys are killing me with your jokes,” the man said, struggling to suppress giggles. “The last one was so funny that I could not help laughing out loud.”
“Well done my boy,” Qiniso’s mother said, smiling at her son. “You have saved my chickens. To celebrate, tomorrow I will slaughter a cockerel for all of you.”
Like the chicken thief, I laugh out loud when I hear a good joke. However, I have mixed feelings about religious jokes. One part of me wants to laugh. Another part suspects that enjoying a religious joke is similar to rushing in where angels fear to tread.
What does the Bible say about laughter?
The Bible tells us that there is time to weep and a time to laugh. In Psalm 37, verses 12 and 13 we read: “The wicked plot against the righteous . . . but the Lord laughs at them for he sees that their day is coming.” So our God laughs. This Lord’s laughter is not an isolated response to a wrong activity. In Psalm 2 verse 2, we learn that the “One enthroned in Heavens” laughs at the earthly powers who get carried away and think that their power is greater than His. Bible scholar Robin Branch cites several incidents in the Bible in which humour or laughter are used to further the work of God.
Perhaps I therefore need not feel bad about what I often imagine will happen when my friend Qiniso departs from earth and goes up to Heaven.
I imagine Qiniso walk along the road leading to the gates of Heaven with his heart pounding in the rib cage. Running parallel to the road is a hip high diamond wire fence. Over the fence, a well-manicured and thick lawn invites one to come and lie down. Qiniso does not notice the beauty. For the hundredth time he asks himself: “Will I make it to Heaven? Have I led a good enough life?”
Nearer the gate, Qiniso finds people standing in a neat queue. He walks on to the front of the queue where he recognises the man in front. He was a celebrity back on earth. As always when in public, the man is dressed in a custom made suit and glittering designer shoes. His well oiled hair shines in the warm sun.
Qiniso recalls that this celebrity used to deliver moving sermons that made some congregants break down and cry. He used to drive one of the most expensive vehicles in the country. Today, the man’s face is contorted with worry. He paces in all directions and occasionally shakes his head. Like Qiniso, he seems worried whether he will make it to Heaven or not.
Qiniso’s heart sinks. Qualifying to Heaven is no easy matter. How can this great man doubt if he qualifies? Qiniso feels like a man expected to run faster than a sprinter that has left Usain Bolt gasping for air.
Beyond the gate, Qiniso notices a man in his thirties strolling towards the gate. The man is wearing faded blue jeans and a white T-shirt. He looks at Qiniso and beckons. Qiniso almost trips over himself as he rushes to the gate.
“Come through,” the man tells Qiniso, throwing back his shoulder length dreadlocks.
“I . . . I . . . cannot jump the queue,” Qiniso says. “I think I should join it?”
“Oh, the queue,” the man laughs, “that is for the border line cases. Your love for laughter and your simple living long assured you of a place here.”
Who is this man, Qiniso wonders? Suddenly, he remembers that when Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time, he rode a donkey. Had he wanted, Jesus could have blazed into the city riding a then state of the art chariot drawn by magnificent horses. Was he today to travel from the rural areas to a modern city, Jesus was likely to come as a passenger in a kombi. Further, he would visit his followers around the city in a simple Mazda 323.
“Of course,” Qiniso bursts into laughter and embraces the man, “Now I know who you are!”
“Welcome home son,” the man says, hugging Qiniso back.
Chris Mlalazi and I wish you all happy reading and a fulfilling 2015.
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