Sermon Illustration

Grim Reaper Won’t Get the Last Laugh

Bob Mankoff is the cartoon editor for The New Yorker magazine. His jobs is a laugh-a-minute. The New Yorker has published more than 80,000 cartoons since its first issue. In an interview on 60 Minutes, Mankoff said that the Grim Reaper has appeared in the magazine's funny pages more than any other character. For example, in one cartoon the Reaper's latest acquisition is saying: "Thank goodness you are here—I can't accomplish anything unless I have a deadline."

Mankoff told 60 Minutes, "Honestly, if it wasn't for death, I don't think there would be any humor … Grim Reaper's going to get the last laugh. Until then, it's our turn."

Possible Preaching Angles: One day, the Grim Reaper will be fired and abolished. He won't get the last laugh, at least not for the follower of the Risen Christ.

Our Latest

Article

Music at Midnight: The Supreme Value of Mercy

Our pastoral forefather, George Herbert, orients us to the music that stops the flow of discouragement.

Article

Good Expectations

Knowing the ways God uses our preaching feeds our faith in the outcomes.

Article

On Finding Sacred Space in the City

How will congregations find places in dense, expensive urban areas?

Fiction

The Weight of Calling

The sanctuary quieted as it cleared. The worship team finished packing up and departed. Daniel’s thoughts faded, interrupted by the sound of Norma’s voice.

addApple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseellipseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squarefolderGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintremoveRSSRSSSaveSavesaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube
Down ArrowbookCloseExpandExternalsearchTable of Contents