GOD's Sense of Humor

John Eldredge has a book entitled 'Beautiful Outlaw' where he enumerated the qualities of Jesus. One of the qualities he mentioned was playfulness. He cited instances Jesus played a 'joke' on his disciples after his resurrection.

One instance is when Jesus walked with his two disciples to Emmaus. They were so heartbroken because Jesus was crucified. Jesus walked with them and explained the scriptures about him that he must suffer. The Bible didn't tell why the two did not recognize Jesus. When they reached their home, Jesus pretended to go further, but they insisted Jesus to dine with them. Their eyes were opened when Jesus broke bread. Then Jesus disappeared. The truth dawned on them: Jesus is alive! The two rushed back to Jerusalem. From resurrection, Jesus had 'to catch up with them on the road to Emmaus' to reaffirm their purpose.  Luke 24

(Kaya pala hindi na tumagal makipag-usap si Jesus kay Mary kasi hinabol nya ang dalawa.  Hirap ei English ei! ) John 20:10-18

Then, the another instance is when Peter invited the other disciples to go fishing. They did not catch a thing. Then Jesus appeared on the shore and told them to throw the net to the right side of the boat. There, they caught so much more even if they were only a hundred yards from the shore! When they landed, Jesus had already prepared the breakfast for them. How sweet of Jesus, he must know the disciples labored from evening til dusk and must be hungry. After that he reinstated Peter. (Jesus has to appear to Peter again to reaffirm his purpose for Peter.) John 21

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If God is a serious tyrant as the world believes why would He would do such things? Why not directly show Himself with a rod or a whip or a lightning and tell them: 'Hey, you! Did I not tell you already to do this and that?' [ Di ba?]

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I think God in the Old Testament is that playful too. After all God never changes. [ Di ba? ] 

One proof of God's playfulness in the Old Testament is what God told the Israelites to do with the Egyptians before they leave Egypt. The Israelites plundered the Egyptians by asking for articles of gold. HAHA!

BUT, if you just analyze it further, even with playfulness, GOD can never be without justice or holiness or purpose. 

(when God killed the first born of the Egyptians was it not only for spiritual purposes but also to bestow justice to the Israelites whom innocent sons and daughters were thrown by the Egyptians to the Nile river?)

The Egyptians had enslaved the Israelites for 430 years. The articles of gold must be enough for the unpaid or unjust wages. Ah! The Egyptians must have thought they can get away with their 'unfair and unjust' treatment of their slaves. Poor them they do not know what kind of God is the protector of their slaves. Look what GOD did to them! Very funny di ba? If I am an employer I better not cheat on wages - specially on God's faithful people. God is their defender. 

Seriously, I just want to lift up the spirits of God's people who might be going through hardships of any kind. 

At this season of my life I am amazed how God manifest Himself and work wonders - small or big it may be.

Even from the beginning, people (including myself) have millions of reasons to love God with all their hearts. Though, just a few find the time to search for a few of those million reasons each day. 

It is really awesome to be a child of God, is it not? As long as you stay on the narrow path, you can never run out of reason to worship God!

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As an assurance of God's protection for his people against evil people, God has these Words:

Proverbs 21:7

Proverbs 21:18
Isaiah 43:3-4

So, I daily remind myself:

Child of God, keep the faith and stay on God's track. Let God handle all the rest.