| Does Jesus Like You? - article by Joel Hempel
I know he loves you; after all, he gave his life for you on the cross. Jesus absolutely cares about you and your well-being, but does he like you? Does he enjoy your company? I’m not asking if he likes what you do. I realize not everything we do is pleasing to him. But does Jesus like you as a person? Is he pleased to see you? Would he be disappointed if he could not spend time with you? Last week, someone asked me if I thought Jesus liked me. At first, I just looked at him. I thought to myself, that’s a fascinating question. “Hmm, let me think about it.” So, what do you think? Does Jesus like you? You may disagree with this, but I think the best indicator of someone liking you is that they want to spend time with you – especially one-on-one time. Someone may love and sacrifice for another person but does not like being around them. Why? Because they may feel the person is not nice or is too critical or egotistical. I read a joke the other day: Wife: I want a divorce. Husband: Why? Is it because you think I’m a know-it-all? Wife: Exactly! Husband: I knew it! Being around people who don’t respect or listen to you is unpleasant. But here’s the thing about Jesus. He was born into our world to be “with us.” You know his name: Immanuel, God with us. Jesus was born to be with you. Our Lord could have come among us and remained aloof and distant. He did not. He was with disciples, with friends, and with people in need. He listened to people, touched them, cried with them, and taught them. When he did get away by himself, it was not long before he returned to be in their presence. And when he had to leave his followers at the end of his earthly life, he reassured them, “I am with you always.” I am in your heart, and my Spirit is in your life – always! You might think Jesus made that promise before he knew you personally, before he knew your sins and shortcomings. But if that is what you believe, your reasoning would be faulty. Jesus knew precisely the problems of humanity before he came to earth, and he knew you in your entirety before he took up residence in you at your baptism. He knew who you were and what you would become. He knew what would tempt you most and bring you shame. And now, he knows your strengths and what you try to hide. One of Jesus’ countless superpowers is that he thoroughly knows us and still likes us and likes being with us. So, does Jesus like you? If Scripture is our ultimate authority, the answer has to be: Absolutely! | 
