I was just thinking that in all the Jesus paintings I’ve seen, none portray him as laughing—a smile, sure, but not outright laughter. I know that he was God on a serious mission, but come on, for Christ’s sake—He was human too.

Fully human! That means He enjoyed the full human experience of emotions. Everyone laughs. Everyone enjoys good humor. Laughter is part of living.

Jesus naturally engaged in lighthearted moments. That’s probably why children were so attracted to Him. It wasn’t somber looks and talk that spurred them to want to jump into his lap. Children are naturally drawn to a warm personality; to laughter and joy.

I think too about that scene painted in scripture that has Jesus’ critics complaining about Him eating and drinking in the company of tax collectors and other outcasts (Luke 7: 34). During occasions like that, can’t you just envision Jesus and those around Him as having a merry old time—jokes, music, dancing?

That Jesus had a sense of humor can also be seen in some of His teachings. For instance, how about the exaggerated point He makes about a “log” in one’s eye (Matthew 7: 3-5)? And then He talks about a camel trying to fit through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19: 24). You’ve got to admit, that’s some funny stuff.

So even though it’s true that Jesus was very familiar with being despised and rejected, and with suffering and pain; if we say that He was not a man also of laughter and joy, then we deny Him having come in the flesh—the nature of humanity.