Jesus enjoyed life, family and friends

The Gospels do not portray a sad, melancholy Savior. Jesus enjoyed life and loved to be surrounded by people.

Meals were a time for stories and conversation. His critics thought it undignified for him to like a good time. He said,

"The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and 'sinners'. But wisdom is proved right by her actions." (Mt. 11:19)

What are we to make of this? Is there a lesson here for the rest of us to follow?

Jesus enjoyed life, but he kept things in perfect balance. He worked, he healed, he taught, he prayed--and he made time for relaxation. Scripture tells us that when he got too tired, he went off by himself to pray and rest.

Christian singles sometimes put their lives on hold, waiting for a spouse or the perfect job or something else to come along. Meanwhile, the calendar keeps turning. We cannot retrieve lost time.

Jesus began his public ministry when he was thirty years old, and it lasted only three years. Many assume that up to that time, he had taken over Joseph's carpenter shop, but the Bible is silent on those years.

We do know that he performed his first miracle at a wedding feast, at Cana, and that he told his mother that his hour had not yet come. Even so, when he did start his ministry, he continued to eat and drink with his friends.

Paintings and drawings of Jesus laughing did not start to appear until the 1960s. Artists before that time may have thought it disrespectful to show Jesus smiling. But the God who promises eternal joy and happiness in heaven can't possibly be a gloomy, sad being.

I don't know about you, but I expect to do a lot of laughing in heaven.

Jesus enjoyed life, so we should too. As believers, we should be the happiest people on the planet! Our salvation is sure! Father, Son and Holy Spirit love us.

Don't postpone your happiness. Remember all you have and enjoy it, starting right now!

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