“If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?” Luke 12:26 NKJV
Reflection: what is your impression of Jesus – did he have any humor, or was he serious all the time?
Have you ever been around someone that is clever at making puns? For those not familiar with this term, a “pun” according to the Webster dictionary is “the usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings or the meaning of another word similar in sound”. It is very effective, used either to make a point, or just as a joke for laughs.
Now, we might not think of Jesus as a pun maker, a “jokester”, having any fun. Instead, he is presented as very serious figure. But let’s consider his lesson today, to challenge that perspective. Luke recorded the familiar lesson of not worrying, found in Luke 12:22-33. Jesus starts out saying “Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.”Luke 12:22 NKJV.
Now this lesson comes right after he had told the parable of the rich man who had just retired comfortably, with lots of money in the bank, and was ready to start enjoying life. But, not realizing that the very night of his retirement party, his soul was demanded back from him. In other words, the very thing he needed to enjoy his riches, life itself, he could not control. B
So Jesus goes on teaching the disciples to not worry about so many things. And then he says “And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Luke 12:25 NKJV. Which actually is very funny!! Now, many have struggled with this phrase, this statement of Jesus. Because the word “cubit” was used for measuring physical length. And the word “stature” can be the height of a person, but also mean length of life. And if you read different translations and commentaries of this verse, you will find a number of variations.
But he clearly made a pun, a funny!
Because the underlying point is that, worrying about being too short will not add to your physical height as much as worrying about living a day longer will not add to the length of your life. So why do we worry about things we cannot control? And that is exactly the nature of a good “pun”. It makes a powerful point, as the words can have dual meanings. It helps us remember the underlying point. And what a story for him to make light of, if you think about it! He basically is telling the disciples, and us,
“Quit worrying so much!!”
Don’t you realize who your Father is?? Look around you. Look at the mountains. The sky. The sea. The birds. The flowers. If He made all of that, and cares for each bird and flower, don’t you think He knows and cares about you? About your situation and your needs? Please notice the point Jesus is making here is so extreme, so ridiculous that it clearly was meant as a pun, so that we would remember. Instead, Jesus says to redirect our focus.
“But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:31-32 NKJV.