March 2025-You Having a Laugh?

“Stand-up comedy is a budget version of psychotherapy.”

I read an interesting article recently about the newfound flurry of interest in stand up comedy in Ukraine[1]. Those opening words are from artist Anton Tymoshenko who became the first Ukrainian stand-up comic to give a solo performance at one of Kyivs most prestigious venues. 

Comedians, it seems, are making jokes to help the general public cope with the brutal reality of war. On one level is heartening to hear how people are being brought together and raising support in the bleakest of situations.  

On another level, one can’t help but think that comedy and chaos make for interesting bedfellows. However, history would show us that there is form to this unique quirk of the human spirit. One of the reasons the King often called for the court jester was to escape the turmoil brewing outside the palace. We’re all familiar with that everyday phrase ‘If I didn't laugh I'd cry.’ 

Many of us turn to comedy to help us cope. 

So how do you instinctively process bad news? 

I find the wisdom of Psalm 112 to be instructive here. Here is a person, not to whom bad news never comes, but rather who has no fear of it. Their hearts are steadfast and secure. It’s worth asking why.

The Psalm holds out 3 reasons.

The promise of light 

‘Even in darkness light dawns for the upright…’ (v.4)

Even in the bleakest situations there is hope. Here is a person with more than, what we would say today, a sunny disposition. Their lack of fear is intricately tied to their delight in his commands.  Here is a person who draws from the well of their deepest theology in their darkest of times. They see the promises of God as blazing torches which light up the night sky. 

The promise of remembrance

‘Surely the righteous will never be shaken;

    they will be remembered forever.’ (v.6)

The Lord will keep and preserve them throughout all seasons. The psalmist argues that the person who lives an upright life can be confident that their life will not have been lived in vain.

They promise of triumph

‘Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;

    in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.’ (v.8)

The promise is that there is a day coming when all those who mocked and defied the Lord will be defeated. The phrase in the end invites us to play the long game as we consider the bigger picture. Their taunts and vexation will fizzle out and lead to nothing. It is the righteous who will have the last laugh.

So how can someone be this kind of person and inherit the blessing?[2]

Christopher Ash is correct to point out that all the triumph and relief of this Psalm is ours in Christ [3]. Jesus is the ultimate Psalm 112 individual. He is the one who took great delight in the Lord’s commands. He is the one whose name is remembered forever. He is the one who triumphed over his enemies. 

As our lives find themselves in him we too can experience that sense of no fear. Truly, in the crucified and risen Christ, light has dawned for the believer. Weeping may come in the night but there is joy in the morning. One day tears will give way to shouts of joy. One day faith will be swallowed up by sight. 

The gospel creates good news people and calls them not to fear as they live in a bad news world.

There once was a man who walked out of a tomb somewhere in Jerusalem.

There’s a punchline for the ages. 

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[1]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx80edlrxjo

[2]  Christopher Ash,The Psalms: A Christ Centered Commentary, p.185.

[3] Ibid, p.194