The Jesus Some Never Meet


Jesus was not a cosmic killjoy. He was not the guy you avoided having over for a good time. How do I know?





John 2:1–2 (NLT) The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.

Why would Jesus be invited to a wedding if He didn't know how to have fun? And these weddings were 7 day affairs in which people celebrated and feasted together in joyful communion. If there is one thing I cannot stand it is the stuffy Jesus so many people settle for in the Church. The Jesus who never smiles and never has fun. I don't think that is Jesus at all.

While He was serious and straight to the point with some, there is ample evidence Jesus knew how to laugh...

Some of his parables had such exaggeration, a first Century Jew would have been in stitches. The thought of a man who owed 100 years wages in Matthew 18 asking for more time to pay it back rings a bell for one.

Children loved to be with Jesus. In my experience, children have a fun-radar that lets them know who is fun and who is anti-fun. They tend to be drawn to the fun ones. Yet little children came to be around Jesus and he welcomed them and blessed them.

Finally, Jesus created everything. Did you notice when this Wedding ran out of wine? On the third day. Jesus, the agent of creation as John as made clear (John 1:3), was the one who brought forth vegetation from the ground in the first place... the same vegetation that would produce vines, grapes and wine. He made it the first time, and at this wedding, he remakes it a final time.

Of course this parable is more than just knowing that Jesus knows how to have fun. It's about a social disgrace being saved by Jesus as the servants did what He told them and the water became better wine than any before it. Jesus knows how to save a family and show his Glory at the same time. This is why John closes the story with this line:

John 2:11 (NLT) This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

It wasn't just to save the family's face for running out of wine that Jesus acted in this way. It was to reveal His glory. He is the almighty One, the Holy One, the Great and Awesome One. And in this moment, a celebration continues as a prelude to the final wedding supper of the Lamb and His bride. 

And one thing is for sure, it's going to be a great time.

PRAYER:
Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save us and brings us back to You. I pray that I may know the Jesus on the pages of Scripture as He chose to reveal Himself instead of buying whatever version of Jesus someone else may try to give me. I want to know Jesus as You are. In Your Name, Amen.

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