While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. When Jesus came to the leader's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, "Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district. --Mt. 9:18-19, 23-26

They laughed at Him. He saw the world in a new, life-filled, forgiving way and they laughed at Him. To them, He didn't even know the simple facts of life: people die. To them, He didn't know what He was talking about; He couldn't even tell when someone was dead.

Jesus' response: do what He needs to do. Put the crowd outside, go inside, do what needs to be done. Popularity does not make it wrong; applause does not make it right.

This is one of my major fears: being laughed at. Sure, those who know me best know that I try to be funny and make people laugh. Truly, I am trying to get people to laugh with me. It's a slight of hand; look here and laugh, but don't laugh at that over there because that will hurt me. But to be laughed at is something that stops me in my tracks. I'll not do something rather than do something wrong because I don't want people to think less of me.

Jesus message to me: do what needs to be done. What I do will reflect my character, who I REALLY am. If what I am doing is right, who cares what people think.