How does Jesus draw all people to Himself?

"Jesus drew a picture of himself and he sent it to the world so we would know what he looked like," says Jonah, 7.

Well, that's one way to interpret "draw." However, the New Testament doesn't give us a physical description of Jesus.

Jesus said, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to myself," (John 12:32).

Certainly, Jesus was thinking of his coming crucifixion where he would be lifted on a cross as the means of our salvation. Jesus' resurrection and ascension into heaven constitutes another lifting three days after his crucifixion.

This good news of Jesus victory over death and offer of eternal life draws people into his kingdom every day.

Back to Jesus' appearance as a way to draw people to himself, the prophet Isaiah says this about the Messiah's appearance: "There was nothing special or impressive about the way he looked, nothing we could see that would cause us to like him," (Isaiah 53:2b ERV).

Even though Isaiah prophesied that Jesus' appearance during his ministry would not be impressive, many Bible verses speak of the beauty of the Lord. King David wrote that his one desire was "to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple" (Psalm 27:4).

Yes, God is beautiful! He created beauty, but he often works in subtle ways. In our modern world, image is everything, but God looks at our hearts. He knows our thoughts. He's not fooled by the flashy or superficial.

"Jesus draws people with a smile because that is how you show joy," says Camila, 7.

Of all the images of Jesus that artists create from their imaginations, I can't think of one where Jesus is smiling. There's a good reason the Apostle Paul wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).

Most people don't think of Jesus smiling because they don't think God is happy. They imagine a stern Jesus who is quick to judge, slow to forgive and the last person you would invite to a party.

As his first miracle, Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding party. Does that sound like a self-righteous party pooper? Absolutely not!

You want Jesus at your wedding reception because you'll never run out of wine!

One of the main ways Jesus draws people to himself is through the joy of his people. The Bible makes this statement about the early disciples at Antioch: "And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit," (Acts 13:52).

The joy of the Lord cannot be contained! When you know God's grace, forgiveness and acceptance in Christ, it's contagious.

When I was 17, I attended a youth meeting where I heard for the first time from Pastor Wally Morillo that eternal life is a gift to be received by faith alone in Jesus alone apart from any works on my part. My mother called Wally the next day and said, "I don't know what you told Carey, but for the first time in a long time, he's smiling."

I'm still smiling! My mother noticed my joy right away. It provoked her curiosity. Joy is God's greatest evangelism tool.

Think about this: Even when Jesus suffered for our sins on the cross, the Bible tells us that it was the joy set before him that enabled him to endure the cross (Hebrews 12:2).

Memorize this truth: John 12:32 previously quoted.

Ask this question: Have you responded to the drawing of the Lord?

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