Joy Is The Serious Business of Heaven

Many of us view being Christian as serious business, in which we have to work hard in order to improve our relationship with God. However, joy and laughter are just as important as repentance and hard work, without which any relationship will become a tough burden. In fact, when Jesus was with the disciples, he not only disciplined them, but also joked and played with them, which allowed him to truly bond with them. God operates with us in the same way, and if we just look out for His cues, we will be able to form a much deeper and richer relationship.

 

Scripture:

Matt 14: 13-21

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.