Wording of this Handout:
76
Bad taste
Imagine you are at a funeral. Everyone is wearing black and some of the mourners are crying. The coffin is lifted from the hearse and carried through the cemetery towards the grave. A chill wind blows as the sun goes behind a bank of storm clouds.
Suddenly a man comes running towards the grave with a bubble gun.
"Yippee!" he shouts, "I love funerals!" he jumps about giggling and laughing, and squirts little bubbles everywhere.
There's something wrong with this man's behavior. It doesn't fit with the serious and sad situation. He should be showing consideration for the people who are mourning.
This is how Christians ought to be - considerate of others. Sensitive to their feelings. We may be feeling like 'a box of birds' but this is offensive to someone who is feeling sad. its like rubbing salt into their wound.
And what if we come to a very happy person and talk about nothing but doom and gloom? Its the same situation in reverse.
My pet slug died - I'm so sad!
Hey - wanna hear a great animal joke!!
The Bible says "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."
(Romans 12:15 New King James Version)