Unless people know the God who has made them and want to be at peace with Him, they have no understanding of the real purpose of life, and so they play games. That may seem an extraordinary statement, as we know many who do not believe in Jesus and yet live good and productive lives, serving their families and community. But there is a far higher purpose to life than survival and service: it is to intentionally bring glory to God and to enjoy His love.

The people around Jesus were doing what their religion demanded but had no intimate relationship with Father God. So Jesus said that they were like children playing games, like 'weddings' in the street. John the Baptist did not go along with their ways of being glad: he fasted and led a simple life; but some of them thought he was demonised because he was too serious and could not enjoy life. He only preached that people should repent of their sins and then follow the Lamb of God.

Jesus did not conform either. The religious leaders thought that he ought to be serious like them, like 'playing at funerals', and showing his fervour by fasting. Yet Jesus accepted invitations to dinner parties with undesirable people. So they branded Him as irreverent, and despised Him. But Jesus was not playing the part of a party-goer, He was genuinely glad that sinful people wanted Him to come to them and listen to the gospel from His lips. As time unfolded, John was proved right - repentance is the essential prelude to salvation. And Jesus was right too: showing that He welcomed sinners because only He could save them from their sins - when they do, even the angels rejoice (Luke 15:7).

The Christian life is not another set of religious rites and rules which are played out; it is a relationship with the Living God. It is right to mourn over our sin (Matthew 5:4); it is also right to rejoice over our salvation (Isaiah 25:9). Following Jesus is not a game to impress other believers or even the world - it is a serious and yet joyful relationship with our Creator. So, stop playing games! Who do you impress? God sees everything and knows every motive (1 Peter 3:12). A real relationship with Jesus can get you into trouble with the world (as with John the Baptist), but it will get a fine reward in heaven. So live in the light of your face-to-face meeting with Jesus.