Party Time

UpWords from Max Lucado

August 3, 2005

Why Jesus Went To Parties
By Max Lucado

Why would Jesus, on his first journey, take his followers to a party?

Didn't they have work to do? Didn't he have principles to teach?  Wasn't his
time limited? How could a wedding fit with his purpose on earth?

Why did Jesus go to the wedding?

The answer? It's found in the second verse of John 2. "Jesus and his followers
were also invited to the wedding."

Why did they invite him?

I suppose they liked him.

Big deal? I think so. I think it's significant that common folk in a little town
enjoyed being with Jesus. I think it's noteworthy that the Almighty didn't act
high and mighty. The Holy One wasn't holier-than-thou.

You just don't get the impression that his neighbors grew sick of his
haughtiness and asked, "Well, who do you think made you God?"

His faith made him likable, not detestable. Would that ours would do the same!

May I state an opinion that may raise an eyebrow? May I tell you why I think
Jesus went to the wedding? I think he went to the wedding to-now hold on, hear
me out, let me say it before you heat the tar and pluck the feathers-I think
Jesus went to the wedding to have fun.

Maybe these thoughts catch you by surprise. They do me. It's been awhile since I
pegged Jesus as a party-lover. But he was. His foes accused him of eating too
much, drinking too much, and hanging out with the wrong people! (See Matt.
11:19.) I must confess: It's been awhile since I've been accused of having too
much fun. How about you?

We used to be good at it. What has happened to us? What happened to clean joy
and loud laughter? Is it our neckties that choke us? Is it our diplomas that
dignify us? Is it the pew that stiffens us?

Jesus took time for a party. . .shouldn't we?

Barbeque here next weekend--Saturday I believe--aiming for laughter