Jesus could heal people, walk on water, control the weather, multiply food, make wine, walk through walls, and wake the dead. Having such incredible abilities sounds amazing, but would it have been fun to be Jesus?
Though there were moments of happiness and fun, the purpose of Jesus’ ministry was to tell people to repent and return to the Father, and many, including his own disciples, rejected and denied him. He knew that this would happen, but did not use his power to stop it.
The things most worth pursuing in life (marriage, raising kids, having a deep spiritual life, etc.) are never going to be fun all the time, because love isn’t just fun and warm fuzzy feelings.
The goal of life isn’t to have as much fun as possible before we die, it’s to live a life like Jesus, one that is centered on the love of God.
Snippet from the Show
“Our goal in relationships is not fun. It’s love.”
SHOWNOTES
Matthew 10:34-36 – “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household.”
Luke 22:1-6 (Betrayed by Judas) – “Now the feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death; for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve; he went away and conferred with the chief priests and captains how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and engaged to give him money. So he agreed, and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the multitude.”
Luke 22:54-62 (Betrayed by Peter) – “Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance; and when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a maid, seeing him as he sat in the light and gazing at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later some one else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.”
Colossians 1:24 – “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church”
Philippians 1:21-26 – “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”
Gaudium et Spes, 24:3 – “This likeness reveals that man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself.”
Resources
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- Previous Show: How to Pray for Your Daughters
- Previous Show: How to Pray for Your Sons
- The Way of the Cross: Praying the Psalms with Jesus by Fr. Toups