Yesterday, I wrote an article on the dangers of drinking. Using passages like Proverbs 23 and Ephesians 5:18, I made the point that God not only condemns drunkenness, but also the process of drinking which leads to drunkenness. Solomon said it best when he said, "Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper" (Prov. 23:31-32). DON'T LOOK AT IT! If we're not to look at it, how can we justify drinking it?
But many do attempt to justify drinking. One of the most commonly used arguments is derived from John 2, the story of Jesus turning water into wine. Let's read the story together...
"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."
Many use this story to teach that Jesus went to a drinking party where He proceeded to turn six stone waterpots of water into waterpots of intoxicating wine. "If it's wrong to engage in social drinking, then why did Jesus turn the water into wine?" they ask.
First of all, we must first of all understand that the word wine does not always refer to fermented wine. That may be how we use the term, but in the first century, the word wine could refer to fruit of the vine that was either fermented or unfermented. For example, Isaiah 65:8 says, "Thus says the Lord: as the new wine is found in the cluster..." This is an obvious reference to unfermented grape juice, not alcoholic wine. The only way to determine whether the wine is fermented or unfermented is to consider the context where the word is found. Here's the question: what in John 2:1-11 indicates that the wine is alcoholic? Again, we cannot assume that it is alcoholic just because the word wine today is used that way. There must be something in John 2:1-11 to demand fermented wine if we are going to assert that it is fermented.
The fact is, the context of John 2:1-11 indicates the opposite, that the wine is unfermented. Once again, let's notice John 2:10. This is the reaction of the master of the feast when he drank the wine Jesus had miraculously produced. "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now." This is the key to understanding this story. If we can understand what kind of wine the ancients preferred, then we can determine whether Jesus produced fermented or unfermented wine. Consider the following quotes from recognized scholars and authorities (these quotes derived from an article written by J.H. Kellogg):
Dr. Jacobus says, "Those were considered the best wines which were least strong."
Prof. M. Stuart says that the ancients regarded unfermented wine "as of a higher flavor and finer quality than fermented wine."
Kitto says of wine which had been preserved from fermentation by boiling, "Such was esteemed [by the Jews] the richest and the best wine."
Lastly, Dr. Isaacs, an eminent Jewish rabbi, bears the following testimony: The Jews do not, in their feasts for sacred purposes, including the marriage feasts, ever use any kind of fermented drinks."
If the ancient Jews preferred unfermented wine, as the above quotes clearly indicate, then we MUST conclude that Jesus made unfermented grape juice in John 2, not alcoholic wine. After all, the master of the feast called the wine Jesus produced "the good wine." This seems pretty open and shut to me.
Someone has correctly observed as follows: “If Jesus made fermented wine for people to drink, there is nothing wrong with drinking alcoholic beverages. Also, if there’s nothing wrong with drinking it, there’s nothing wrong with giving it away or selling it. Furthermore, if Jesus supplied it we ought to do the same, and follow in His steps (I Peter 2:21).”
J.H. Kellogg makes a similar point when he says, "If the wine referred to above was of an intoxicating nature, then the brewer and the distiller have, as they claim, a sufficient apology for their nefarious business; for in manufacturing alcohol with which to poison their fellow-men, ruin their constitutions, squander theft property, and render their children homeless and their wives widows-- in all this work of evil, they are only imitating the example of their divine Master! Such a position is too unreasonable to be tenable; for the work of rum savors more of a Satanic than of a divine origin. No; it is impossible for any one but the veriest infidel to regard it consistent for the Saviour of mankind to lend his influence, his example, in favor of a practice which even human wisdom can see is an unmitigated curse to the race."
Think about it folks. Why would our Savior attend a drinking party and then make six waterpots of alcoholic wine? Such would condone not only drinking, but drunkenness as well as the sale of alcohol. This is inconsistent with His character in every way!
Did Jesus make alcoholic wine at the wedding fease in Cana? Absolutely not! Anyone who says otherwise is either ignorant of the facts or so desparate to justify social drinking that they will revert to dishonest and misleading reasoning. As Christians, we ought to abstain from alcohol completely. Don't even look at it, as Solomon warned.
What say you?
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