MAKE JESUS HAPPY

Lydia still remembers hanging the picture of Jesus on her wall. A comforting, tangible token of her family’s faith. I’ve often seen her traditional rendition. Long haired, bearded Jesus stands in the subtle light in front of an arched wooden door. There dressed in a white robe with its gentle glow, He’s knocking on the door just below a small eye-level window.

Lydia was telling me about when her granddaughter Bailey had stayed overnight recently. When she left, Lydia noticed several nickel sized yellow smiley face stickers now adorning her beloved Jesus picture.

Exerting a gentle thumb-nail tug, she attempt removing them. Still her efforts left disfiguring surface blotches.

Next visit, Lydia questioned ten-year old Bailey about the smiley face stickers. Bailey instantly burst into tears. With tears still staining her face, she said, “Cause Jesus looked so sad to me . . . I wanted to make Jesus happy.”

The true value of the picture took an instant hit as Lydia pondered her granddaughter’s words. “Isn’t that how we all should be; shouldn’t we all want to make Jesus happy?”

Now stop a minute. Take a scrutinizing look at the picture.

The picture is a visual presentation of a Bible verse. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Look at the picture closer. Jesus isn’t sad. His gentle, caring face reflects His serious demeanor. He’s concerned. He’s hoping someone will fling that big, wood door wide open.

Bailey, do you want to see Jesus get a big grin on His face? Open the door. He wants to be with you. He wants to be that friend you anxiously anticipate dining with.