One of my favorite stories in the bible is Jesus walking 145 kilometers (whoa!) from Jericho to Cana to attend a wedding. it’s significant that this was actually his first journey (after the 40 days of fasting and temptation) and what does he do? Take his disciples to a party! And there’s no saying he went to the party to perform his first miracle. That was just a favor he did for his friends, like one of my favorite authors says. So why did He go to the party? The answer is tucked away in the second verse of John 2. “Jesus and His followers were also invited to the wedding.” Why did they invite him? From my viewpoint, I wouldn’t invite kill-joys to my party unless they are relatives. And I mean the ‘essential’ ones. My nephew always said friends are God’s consolation for relatives! These were friends, not relatives. Jesus’ faith made Him likable, not detestable; approachable, not distant; understanding not judgmental. Wouldn’t it be neat that ours was just the same! The Jesus I have been seeing lately is one twirling (in dance) with the bride at Cana and having a really good time at Zacchaeus’ house. And every so often throwing back His head in raucous laughter as he enjoyed every moment of these encounters. Much like that larger than life-size picture of Him we had at church for a while. No wonder his foes accused him of eating too much, drinking too much, and hanging out with the wrong people! (Matt. 11:19). And the result of one these encounters? Luke 19:8,9 – And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For a wealthy man (by the world’s standard) of miniature stature who had started his day patched high up up on a sycomore tree if only he could catch a glimpse of the messiah but only to end up dining with the God of the universe and finding salvation…talk of God’s kingdom come in the most unlikely fashion and place!

Summary:

Jesus enjoys life and people and He loves to break the rules we hold on to religiously (healing on the sabbath, the woman caught in the act, commending the good samaritan, etc), the rigid schedules (taking time with the woman at the well, the ‘Zaccheaus’ interruption, the woman with the issue of blood, etc). Little wonder he said things like, Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Jesus is full of joy and compassion and is spontaneous while at the same time, very intentional in what He does.

He was always seeing and doing what the Father was doing, and joining Him there – John 5:18-20. No wonder he was sinless!

I like this John Piper quote – “I found that the goodness of God, the very foundation of worship, is not a thing you pay your respects to out of some kind of disinterested reverence. No, it is something to be enjoyed.”

3 chapters from my Bible reading this week – Matthew 11, 12 and 13 have been particularly thought provoking for me – God’s been reminding me how my life should be about kingdom, kingdom, kingdom!

May God help us all be about His Kingdom Agenda!