Expert: Phillip Senn - 11/30/2008

Question
I just saw an answer made by you about how drinking wine is bad. I would like to see your opinion on Jesus turning the water into wine. This issue has been coming up a lot lately, and I'm trying to seek a clear, valid answer.

PS - I hope I get an e-mail notification about an answer because I might lose this site.

Answer
Justin,

This is a question that gets a lot of attention. The reason is that many are seeking justification for drinking alcohol as a beverage, rather than seeking to honor the Lord in everything they do. I will offer mostly opinion on this, as Scripture is has been exhausted in previous answers.

When Jesus turned the water into wine, He was responding to His mother, who indicated by her remarks, that there was a shortage, which He could remedy. He could have acted in remorse at His mother by demanding that she rethink whether or not alcohol was necessary at a wedding. He also could have made a big scene at the wedding, jumping up and scolding the whole crowd for their drunken behavior.

Instead, I believe, He took this as a teaching opportunity. He clearly indicated the importance of honoring His mother. He further clearly showed that He was a miracle worker, a sign that the Jews sought after concerning the Messiah.

Did He endorse drinking of alcohol as a beverage? I don't think so. He would have had to be teaching against the Word of God, as found in the Old Testament. Too many of the passages teach that drinking of alcohol inhibits the mind, making a person unable to think rationally. That is why we are warned not to drink at the table of those that we are contemplating making a deal with. There are many other passages that indicate that alcohol deceives, and we are commanded to be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Was the wine alcoholic in nature? Some would argue that it says wine, so it must be alcoholic wine. While this might be a possibility, it is not necessarily so. Just as with the wine at the Lord's Supper, the word could be translated either as "fruit of the vine" or as "wine". The same greek word is used for both.

Jesus taught many things in Scripture. One cannot say that He ever endorsed the drinking of alcohol as a beverage. Did He ever condemn it? I know of no place where he ever contradicted Scripture in His teachings. We find many places in Scripture that indicate it is wrong, and therefore, I believe Jesus would have endorsed those teachings.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn