Jesus -- He Brings Real Celebration to Life!

Word from the Center
Written By Dr. Gregory Seltz

WORD FROM THE CENTER: MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s verses are portions of John 2:1–11, where the Bible says,   

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and… Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine”…. Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So, they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Jesus -- He Brings Real Celebration to Life!

I love that title, don’t you? In a nutshell, it says what faith in Jesus is all about. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and faith in Him brings His way, truth, and life to our lives as gifts of His grace. Wow! This call to faith is an invitation to receive life, His abundant life, as a gift. That’s what we see in this first miracle of Jesus’ public ministry. Amidst Christ’s purposeful walk to Calvary to become God’s redemptive sacrifice for sin, He stops by at a wedding, a small-town wedding at that.

There are all kinds of questions elicited by this simple act of attending a wedding and then turning water into wine. The activities of Jesus at this wedding challenge us as to consider both what is common and what is really incredible, what is ordinary and what is extraordinary. In fact, it challenges our notions of what we think God should or shouldn’t being doing. It also challenges our notions of what real joy and celebration are all about.

What’s Jesus doing troubling himself with this couple’s problem? They ran out of wine right in the middle of the wedding feast. They were close to becoming the laughingstock of the neighborhood, and Jesus helps them. I think this event shows us the full extent of His love for us. He cares for our eternal lives, yes. But He also cares for our daily lives, our common lives, our joys, and our sorrows. Why? Because He cares for all of who we are, and all we were created and redeemed to be (1 Peter 5:7).

In our modern world, we believe very matter-of-factly that we are the ones who take care of the daily things in our lives. We believe that modern politics, economics, and technology make us masters of our lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. Life does not “consist in the abundance of [one’s] possessions” (Luke 12:15), or the height of one’s stature, or the apparent ability to control circumstances. Even on the day to day level of life, our faith relationship with Jesus is the source of our joy and peace in all things.

It’s interesting to note that many of the details of this wedding are not recorded. In fact, we don’t even know the name of the bride and groom! I think this reminds us that, even though Jesus cares for us personally, the main point of this first miraculous event is that His mission is to bring eternal joy, eternal life, and an eternal celebration of life to ALL WHO PUT THEIR FAITH IN HIM! This is not to dismiss or devalue the day-to-day joys and challenges of life. But when the details of this wedding fade into the background, we are left with a Savior who is marvelous indeed. He cares for us through and through. During those times when everything seems to be going wrong or when we are tempted to think that God doesn’t care for each one of us personally, this event reminds us that Jesus is Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). He is the God on our side. He is God in the midst of our day-to-day lives to bring us the things eternal. He, as only He can, brings real celebration to life, now and forever. That’s why we, along with those first disciples, are called to believe in Him.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, help us to see Your grace and joy, not only in our successes, but also in the midst of our struggles, for Your love for us never fails. AMEN

Other Devotions
WITH HOPE IN CHRIST, YOU ARE READY FOR WHATEVER COMES!
WITH HOPE IN CHRIST, YOU ARE READY FOR WHATEVER COMES!

Today’s verses are 1 Peter 3:13-16, where the Bible says,   

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

WHAT A WAY TO LIVE! “FAITH LIVING” IN A “FAITH DENYING” WORLD
WHAT A WAY TO LIVE! “FAITH LIVING” IN A “FAITH DENYING” WORLD

Today’s verses are 1st Peter 2:13-17, where the Bible says,   

13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

THE ONLY SOURCE FOR ABUNDANT LIFE!
THE ONLY SOURCE FOR ABUNDANT LIFE!

Today’s verse is John 10:10, where Jesus says,   

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

HOLY HEARTBURN!
HOLY HEARTBURN!

Today’s verses are Luke 24:29b-35, where the Bible tells of these events after Jesus had walked to Emmaus with two of His followers on the evening of His resurrection:    

So, [Jesus] went in to stay with them. 30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

SOME QUESTIONS NEED A RISEN SAVIOR’S ANSWER!
SOME QUESTIONS NEED A RISEN SAVIOR’S ANSWER!

Today’s verse is John 20:19-31, where the Bible says,  

“Jesus said to him(thomas), “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

CHRIST’S RESURRECTION MATTERS TO YOU, TODAY AND FOREVER!
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION MATTERS TO YOU, TODAY AND FOREVER!

Today’s verses are Colossians 3:1-4, where the Bible says,  

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

THROW YOUR PALMS DOWN FOR THIS, FOR HIM!
THROW YOUR PALMS DOWN FOR THIS, FOR HIM!

Today’s verses are Philippians 2:5-11, where the Bible says,   

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

ULTIMATE CONCERNS MATTER MOST, SO WHAT’S YOURS?
ULTIMATE CONCERNS MATTER MOST, SO WHAT’S YOURS?

Today’s verses are John 11:47-50. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44), the Bible tells us this is what happened next:    

Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” 49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all!  50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

ALIVE AS CHILDREN OF HIS LIGHT!
ALIVE AS CHILDREN OF HIS LIGHT!

Today’s verses are Ephesians 5:8-9, where the Bible says,   

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).

TWO WATERS – BOTH MATTER!
TWO WATERS – BOTH MATTER!

Today’s verses are John 4:10-14, where the Bible recounts Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan woman at a well.

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

GIVE TO ME STRAIGHT!
GIVE TO ME STRAIGHT!

Today’s verses are John 3:16-18, where Jesus says,

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

NOW THAT’S A TEMPTATION!
NOW THAT’S A TEMPTATION!

Today’s passage is Matthew 4:8-11 where the Bible tells us one of the ways in which the devil tempted Jesus.   

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

The Cross on my Forehead
The Cross on my Forehead

The pancakes, pączki, and pierogis still linger on my tastebuds as I walk the aisle toward the altar for the imposition of ashes. The richness of those foods recalls times of plenty—times of excess—times when I chased the wants of life instead of resting in the sufficiency of the needs God provides.

THERE’S ONLY JESUS!
THERE’S ONLY JESUS!

Today’s passage is Matthew 17:1-8, where the Bible tells us of this momentous event:    

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

CHOOSE LIFE!
CHOOSE LIFE!

Today’s verses are Deuteronomy 30:15-18a, where Moses says,   

See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish.

"Called by God, to boast in Him"
"Called by God, to boast in Him"

Today’s passage is from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, where the Bible says….
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong; God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things of the world to nullify the things that are, so that no one can boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Jesus Christ, who has become for us wisdom from God that is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption, therefore as it is written; "let him who boasts, boast in the Lord!"

We live in an age obsessed with image management. Entire industries exist to shape perception—public relations firms, branding consultants, and social media strategists whose job is to make people appear impressive.

THE GIFT HE BRINGS!
THE GIFT HE BRINGS!

Today’s verse is Matthew 4:17, where the Bible says,   

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

SIMPLE. POWERFUL. STRAIGHT TALK FOR YOUR HEART AND SOUL.
SIMPLE. POWERFUL. STRAIGHT TALK FOR YOUR HEART AND SOUL.

Today’s verse is John 1:29 which tells us of this encounter between John the Baptist and Jesus:

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”

INTO OUR TROUBLED WATERS!
INTO OUR TROUBLED WATERS!

Today’s passage is Matthew 3:13-17, where the Bible says,

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

NEW YEAR’S/NEW LIFE PRIORITIES!
NEW YEAR’S/NEW LIFE PRIORITIES!

Today’s passage is Luke 2:41-50, where the Bible says,

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions…. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

SALVATION? A “Just in Time, at This Place” Salvation for You!
SALVATION? A “Just in Time, at This Place” Salvation for You!

Today’s verses are Galatians 4:4-7, where the Bible says,

4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

“GOD WITH US” – DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS!
“GOD WITH US” – DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS!

Today’s verses are Isaiah 35:3-4, where the Bible declares:

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

THE TRUE GOD COMES FOR HIS PEOPLE!
THE TRUE GOD COMES FOR HIS PEOPLE!

Today’s verses are Isaiah 35:3-4, where the Bible declares:

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

REPENT? DOES ANYONE DO THAT ANYMORE TODAY?
REPENT? DOES ANYONE DO THAT ANYMORE TODAY?

Today’s passage is Matthew 3:1-2, where the Bible says,   

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

A THANKSGIVING LIFE SPREADS GOD’S JOY AROUND!
A THANKSGIVING LIFE SPREADS GOD’S JOY AROUND!

Today’s Bible reading is Philippians 4:4-6 where the Apostle Paul says,

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

AN “ALL THINGS FOR ALL PEOPLE” SAVIOR – THERE’S ONLY ONE!
AN “ALL THINGS FOR ALL PEOPLE” SAVIOR – THERE’S ONLY ONE!

Today’s reading is Colossians 1:17-20 where the Bible says this of Jesus Christ:    

17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross

A DAY OF HOPE IS COMING!
A DAY OF HOPE IS COMING!

Today’s reading is from the Old Testament Prophet Malachi and these portions of the first three verses of chapter 4.   

1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble... 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings…. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act,” says the Lord of hosts.

STAND FIRM IN CHRIST FOR OTHERS!
STAND FIRM IN CHRIST FOR OTHERS!

Today’s reading is 2nd Thessalonians 2:14-15 where the Bible says,    

14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

A FOREVER FREEDOM THAT HOLDS, THAT LASTS!
A FOREVER FREEDOM THAT HOLDS, THAT LASTS!

Today’s Bible reading is Revelation 7:9–12 where the Apostle John recounts this vision of heaven:

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

WHAT MATTERS IS “WORTH LIVING AND DYING FOR!”
WHAT MATTERS IS “WORTH LIVING AND DYING FOR!”

Today’s reading is 2 Timothy 4:7, where St. Paul writes,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Dr. Gregory Seltz
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