Day 203: John 2:1–5

On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding as well (vv. 1–2).

I believe Jesus didn’t have to have His arm twisted to attend a wedding. I happen to think He loved a good party. Still does. I am convinced Jesus’ basic personality in His brief walk in human flesh was delightful and refreshingly relational.

You remember, for example, that Jesus made the disciples allow children to come to Him (Matt. 19:14). It’s pretty obvious that children aren’t drawn to cranky people. The Scripture also tells us that Jesus’ critics complained about His eating with tax collectors and “sinners” (John 5:30) and about seeing Him partying rather than fasting (Matt. 9:14).

Why in the world have we let “partying” become associated with licentiousness? God created man and formed within him an authentic soul-need to feast and celebrate. In fact, God deemed celebration so vital, He commanded His people to celebrate at frequent intervals throughout the calendar year (Lev. 23). Let me say that again: He commands that we celebrate His goodness and His greatness!

So I say it’s time we take the whole idea of partying back. I’m always mystified that many nonbelievers think Christians must be dull, bored, and wouldn’t know a good time if it socked them in the noggin. Boy, do we have a secret! No one laughs like a bunch of Christians! My staff and I roll with laughter together at times.

I even remember a time when three of my dearest friends and I scrunched on one couch together, all holding hands. One of us had lost a daughter several days earlier to a drunk driver. But as we held on to one another for dear life, God gave us the sudden gift of the hardest belly laugh any of us had enjoyed in a long time. Unbelievers might be insulted to know that when we go to their parties, we wonder why they think they’re having such a good time. (Lean over here closely so I can whisper: I think they’re boring.)

The primary reason why celebrations around Christ’s presence are so wonderful is because they are the kind intended to be sparkling refreshment to a world-worn soul. We get to attend Christ’s kind of parties without taking home a lot of baggage. We don’t have a hangover later or a guilty conscience. Christ-centered celebrations are all the fun without all the guilt. That’s real partying.