Laughter of surprise

Albert Bogle June 14, 2026 2 0

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Genesis 18: 1-15 (NIV-UK)

1 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

3 He said, ‘If I have found favour in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way – now that you have come to your servant.’

‘Very well,’ they answered, ‘do as you say.’

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. ‘Quick,’ he said, ‘get three seahs[b] of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.’

7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

9 ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ they asked him.

‘There, in the tent,’ he said.

10 Then one of them said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.’

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?’

13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, “Will I really have a child, now that I am old?” 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.’

15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, ‘I did not laugh.’

But he said, ‘Yes, you did laugh.’

What is the connection between laughter and being "Salt and Light"? It starts with a restless soul called Abram. He is an old man in his eighties when he senses God’s call on his life to move from his settled existence. He takes his elderly wife, servants, cattle, and possessions on a journey — yet he doesn't know where he is going or why. His restlessness drives him onward. He has no heir, only a servant to pass his flocks on to. However, during the journey, God makes a promise to him: You are going to be the father of many nations, and your descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. You could interpret this as they will be like salt and light in the world. His wife, Sarah, had heard the story many times, but as she grew even older, the dream was wearing thin. It was becoming a family joke.

Then, heaven comes to earth and brings laughter. Sarah laughs at the incredulity of the idea that a woman far beyond her childbearing years could ever become pregnant. But a year later, she is laughing with joy, naming her child Isaac, which means "Laughter."

This story sets us up to journey this week with "laughter" and discover its deeper meaning, inviting us to encounter grace, transcendence, and spiritual resilience.

Sarah is surprised, taken off guard by God.  Could God make us laugh sprinkling the salt of surprise on our lives this week?

Prayer:

Lord,

When I laugh

I’m often seeing

And engaging with the futility of a situation

I laugh because

My laugh is a full stop

Lord,

I bring before you:

My long waits that have turned to doubts

I bring to you all the laughter of my faithlessness

All my ‘full stops”

Surprise me this week

With the laughter of a fulfilled promise