When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. …he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. Matthew 9:23-25

The mourners and musicians were already to bury the girl because, after all, she had stopped breathing. I’d like to say that I wouldn’t have been one of the laughers in the crowd. Those would be the naysayers. “That’s not possible; it’s never been done before,” so the excuse goes. Something tells me, though, that I would have been out in front laughing at this man.

Truth is, though, people still laugh at Jesus. Sometimes they do it in response to something we do. They know we’re Christians, but by our actions we certainly don’t show it. (It’s one of the reasons I don’t have any symbol or sticker on my car that singles me out as being a Christian. The first guy I happen to cut off will see it and think, “Yep, he’s really no different.”)

Are people laughing (or mocking or worse) at Jesus because of me? I have to examine every action and word I speak. And the tip I give (or don’t give) in the restaurant. And the unkind word I speak to a clerk or teller or fast food cashier or co-worker.

Yeah, it all matters.