The Life of the Party

Nobody likes a deadbeat. That’s a fair statement isn’t it?

And I’ve never heard anybody refer to someone as the “death of the party.”

Am I right? Even if such a person did exist… and we happened to be at the same party… I’d keep my distance.

Yeah, I know. That’s not very WWJD (What would Jesus do?) of me, but I’m just being real with you. Besides, I’m really more of a proponent of WWPD (what would Peter do?) because Peter sets the bar ridiculously low in the gospels and just high enough for me to reach it most days.

Anyway—when you think about it—the truth is we aren’t drawn to death. We gravitate toward life.

We’re naturally attracted to people who are lively, dynamic and charismatic. Like a paperclip to a magnet, we gravitate toward people who have a unique and special energy to them—people who have that je ne sais quoi. They’re bubbly and optimistic and upbeat and so freaking happy.

So happy, in fact, that not only are we drawn to them but we often walk away from encounters with powerfully positive people with a pep in our step and a deep desire to know them more—or maybe—even become more like them.

Jesus is one of these people.

In fact, no one in history could even hold a candle to the level of His liveliness, energy and charisma. The power of His presence is off the chart. Jesus was, and is, the original Life of the Party.

Of course, this makes sense, right? After all, Jesus make some pretty bold claims like, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6 NIV).

Plus, as far as I know, Jesus is the first person ever to say, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV).

And Jesus is the only person ever to then offer this life to others… free of charge!

An Anglican priest named John Wesley seemed to get this. This 18th century preacher’s kid, and preacher, came to embrace the full and magnetic life Jesus owns and offers to all those who believe in Him.

Wesley spent his whole life passionately talking about this life Jesus gives.

Even though he was rejected a lot, Wesley never stopped believing in the Bible’s ability to unleash the power of Heaven.

Despite the fact that he was ridiculed, Wesley never stopped believing in the power of the Holy Spirit to use God’s Word to transform a person’s heart.

Though Wesley was kicked to the curb—sometimes literally— he never stopped enthusiastically telling people about Jesus!

And because he was passionately persistent, because he was fiercely determined, because he was unabashedly faithful to the message of Christ, Wesley’s efforts paid off… bigtime.

Wesley traveled over 250,000 miles on horseback to preach—and get this—he preached over 40,000 sermons, to thousands of people, without any sort of advanced amplification system—no microphones or megaphones. Wow! My throat hurts just thinking about having to talk that much and to that many people.

John Wesley is proof that if you’re excited about living for Jesus, people will take notice. He’s proof that if you’re passionate about sharing the love and message of Christ, you’ll inspire others. He really is proof positive that if you “catch on fire with enthusiasm people will come from miles to watch you burn!”

John Wesley enthusiastically proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ and people responded… by the thousands!

Can you imagine? That’s a lot of Just As I Am choruses.

John Wesley learned how to draw a crowd. And where did he learn this? How did Wesley discover how to be so magnetic? Who taught him how to draw a crowd?

Jesus did! Please tell me you saw that coming.

John Wesley simply opened up his Bible app (wink! Just seeing if you’re still with me).

Seriously though, he opened up his Bible, watched Jesus work, and then, followed Jesus’ example.

Why? Because long before Wesley was born, thousands of people came to see Jesus because He burned with love for people and because he enthusiastically lived and preached a life-giving message.

Read the Gospels and you’ll quickly see that Jesus draws a crowd everywhere He goes. Wherever Jesus is He becomes the Life of the Party. And not just because He does something that makes Him the center of attention—although raising real “deadbeats” from the grave will get you noticed.

But also, Jesus becomes the Life of the Party because He brings and gives life wherever He is.