23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region. Matthew 9:23-25

The crowd was mourning the way they normally would and Jesus interrupts them.

Then they laughed.

How ridiculous could He be!
Of course she’s dead. We saw her ourselves.
How silly of this man!
Who, who is this man to make such a laughable statement?

Then the girl got up and went out to greet the laughers.

Their laughing had ceased and now they were all about town telling all the townspeople.

People still laugh and mock those who follow Him. Sometimes those mocks are deserved, but more often than not, His followers are being mocked and ridiculed for what they believe in and stand for.

We know, as they say, that Jesus got the last laugh in this instance.

So will we, but until then, we will have to endure this mockery for a while.

Soon, based on what I am seeing in the news and in the culture, that mockery will turn into outright persecution.

Stand firm, though,

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28