"Yes, Jesus smiled; yes, Jesus laughed. Jesus smiled wider and laughed heartier than any human being who has ever walked the planet. He was young. He radiated good cheer. The real Jesus was a man of such merriment, such gladness of heart, such freedom and openness, that He proved irresistible. He became known through Galilee for His genuine strength, the sparkle in His eyes, the spring in His gait, the heartiness in His laugh, the genuineness of His touch; His passion, playfulness, excitement, and vitality: His JOY! He made a dazzling display of love. He set hearts afire. He was an elated, triumphant young man with an incredible quality of life . . . so different from the solemn religious types He constantly encountered...
"The Joy of Jesus, I discovered, was wrapped up in His living in all the
fullness of life's ultimate adventure-a bigger-than-life, robustness,
victoriousness that comes with living 100 percent in the Father's will 100
percent of the time. Can you imagine the level of joy in your heart if you
could live just ten seconds that way? Jesus lived every breathing moment
that way. It's beyond comprehension! Love unbounded, truth unrestrained,
purpose maximized, victory realized, enemy pulverized, humanity eternalized,
God glorified-it's just too much to think about...." -Bruce Marchiano
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no
law."(Galatians 5:22)
