Search This Blog

Monday, April 19, 2010

Did Jesus Dance?

Jesus is invited to the wedding at Cana. We all know the story. It is one of Jesus turning water into wine. The wedding feast had run out of wine. It was a tremendous embarrassment. Jesus' mother, Mary, knew He could do something about it. (How do you suppose she knew that?) She knew He would do something about it. (Why would she suppose that?) He didn't disappoint her.

He has the servants fill six stone jars which are used for ceremonial cleansing with water. The servants would know what they had put in those jars. They were hewn out of stone. I have seen these "jars" in Israel. Our guide in Israel said that only God can make a stone. These were special jars. The servants, all the while knowing they had only put water in the jars, were instructed to take some to the master of the feast. It was the best wine he had tasted! He rebuked the bridegroom for holding the best wine for last. The servants and Jesus' disciples knew the truth. This wine was nothing but water until Jesus changed it.

The movies about Jesus present a man who never smiles. He never tells a joke. He never does anything fun. He walks as if He glides over everything. No one really knows Him. I don't think I would like Him.

But Jesus was invited to weddings and to peoples' houses to eat. He was applauded and approached by little children. Can such a melancholic man be invited to so many joyous occasions? I don't think so. I think He was a lot of fun. I think this is why they invited Him.

So, at the wedding feast Jesus would have enjoyed Himself. He would have laughed, told and listened to stories. He would have danced- yes, I believe He did! But the party was not over when His mother came to Him. So, He made more wine.

That's why Zacchaeus was so joyful when Jesus said He was coming to his house. He didn't come to condemn Zacchaeus any more than He came to condemn any of us. He came to give us life- full life. This is joy indescribable. It is given by a joyful Jesus.

Luke 19:5-6 (ESV)
And when jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today. So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was looking up if Jesus danced and came across your blog. I like what you said about Jesus- he liked to smile and have a good time. I actually heard of christians making it a rule not to dance.(Those Duggars' on TV) That made me sad in fact I cried when I heard that. It seem like deprevation not to be able to dance. I wonder what they do at weddings?

AdrianneSTL said...

no one has givin a scripture on if Jesus danced or not... Does anyone know a verse that says Jesus danced? it is not to be assumed.

Created to Give God Glory said...

Jesus was a Jewish man who was invited to a wedding. Why wouldn't He dance? We have seen too many movies in which Jesus had a British accent with a stoic attitude toward everything except throwing the money changers out of the Temple. I have to believe He was very personable. People just don't gravitate toward those who don't share their love of life with them. I actually believe Jesus was enjoyable to be around.

Unknown said...

There is know way of knowing for sure,i would think he did dance in some kind traditional form,like a square dance of some sort,it would be odd for people to be so drawn to him if he was so withdrawn like you see in the movies, I believe christians ought to lighten up on those who enjoy dancing,it is very good excercise,and I believe the scripture says to keep our bodys fit,have you noticed that the people who condemn dancing are usually very hard to be around?

Anonymous said...

In Zephaniah 3: 17 the amplified version, the Bible says: The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior[Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest[in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.

I had heard a song about God singing and dancing over me in my church, so I looked it up. At first I didn't see dancing, but then I looked up the word 'exult'. Exult means rejoicing, celebrating, to be highly elated. The obsolete definition means to leap with/for joy.

So yes, I definitely would say Jesus danced.

Anonymous said...

I don't know of a scripture that says that Jesus danced, but 2Samuel 6:14 says, "And David, clothed in a linen ephod, was dancing before the Lord with all his strength." David was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). I don't see why God would refur to David like that when David was never admonished for it. Jesus was human. I also believe Jesus danced.

Tracy Graham said...

I read David dance before the Lord naked. I believe we can dance but it also depends on if your dancing provocatively and to clean music that doesn't disgrace women or dishonor Gods holy name. I know Christians dance in church but what about a party? Yeah I believe its OK.